Clyde Vollmer
Encyclopedia
Clyde Frederick Vollmer (September 24, 1921 — October 2, 2006), was an American
professional baseball
player. An outfielder
, he played in 685 Major League
games for three teams: the Cincinnati Reds
, Washington Senators
and Boston Red Sox
. During one of his seasons with the Red Sox, his timely hitting earned him the nickname "Dutch the Clutch."
Vollmer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio
. As a youth, he played for the Bridgetown Baseball league, in Hamilton County
, Ohio
; Vollmer was a leader on the team that won the Hamilton County Grade School baseball championship in 1935, according to a publication called "News of the Reds" dated May 20, 1947.
Vollmer graduated from Western Hills High School in 1938 and signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds
the following year.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061006/NEWS0104/610060381/
Vollmer did not appear for the Reds until May 31, 1942. After playing only 12 games, the 21 year old joined the Army
. He fought in World War II
for three years. After his discharge, Vollmer returned to the Reds.http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/V/Vollmer_Clyde.stm
He played in the majors from 1942 through 1954. In 1947 Vollmer married and later had a daughter, Claudia. Vollmer retired from baseball and acquired the Lark Lounge, which he owned for 20 years.
He later was a member of the American Legion, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Cheviot Aerie No. 2197 and the Delhi Senior Citizens.
Clyde Vollmer died October 2, 2006, at St. Luke Hospital in Florence, Kentucky
.
He is interred at Old St. Joseph's Cemetery
in Cincinnati, Ohio
.
http://www.baseballhistorian.com
http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/vollmcl01.shtml
http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/vollmcl01.shtml
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player. An outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, he played in 685 Major League
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
games for three teams: the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, Washington Senators
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. During one of his seasons with the Red Sox, his timely hitting earned him the nickname "Dutch the Clutch."
Vollmer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. As a youth, he played for the Bridgetown Baseball league, in Hamilton County
Hamilton County, Ohio
As of 2000, there were 845,303 people, 346,790 households, and 212,582 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,075 people per square mile . There were 373,393 housing units at an average density of 917 per square mile...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
; Vollmer was a leader on the team that won the Hamilton County Grade School baseball championship in 1935, according to a publication called "News of the Reds" dated May 20, 1947.
Vollmer graduated from Western Hills High School in 1938 and signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
the following year.
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20061006/NEWS0104/610060381/
Vollmer did not appear for the Reds until May 31, 1942. After playing only 12 games, the 21 year old joined the Army
Army
An army An army An army (from Latin arma "arms, weapons" via Old French armée, "armed" (feminine), in the broadest sense, is the land-based military of a nation or state. It may also include other branches of the military such as the air force via means of aviation corps...
. He fought in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
for three years. After his discharge, Vollmer returned to the Reds.http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/V/Vollmer_Clyde.stm
He played in the majors from 1942 through 1954. In 1947 Vollmer married and later had a daughter, Claudia. Vollmer retired from baseball and acquired the Lark Lounge, which he owned for 20 years.
He later was a member of the American Legion, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Cheviot Aerie No. 2197 and the Delhi Senior Citizens.
Clyde Vollmer died October 2, 2006, at St. Luke Hospital in Florence, Kentucky
Florence, Kentucky
Florence is a city in Boone County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 29,951 at the 2010 census.-History:The Florence area was originally known as Crossroads, because of the convergence of several roads from Burlington and Union at Ridge Road...
.
He is interred at Old St. Joseph's Cemetery
Old St. Joseph's Cemetery
The Old St. Joseph's Cemetery is located at West Eight Street & Enright Avenue in the Price Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati, Ohio. The Cemetery was founded at West Eight Street & Enright Avenue, in 1843 by Rev. John Baptist Purcell, for both English & German speaking Catholics. The Irish section of...
in Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
.
Career highlights
- May 31, 1942 - In his first Major League at-bat, Vollmer hit Max ButcherMax ButcherAlbert Maxwell Butcher was an American major league baseball pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates from -.-External links:...
's first pitch out of the park, becoming the fourth player in history to homer on his first pitch. - 1947 - Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
opening day starter. - 1951 - Vollmer's best year in his career. Playing for the Red Sox, he hit 13 home runs (including two grand slams) and drove in 30 runs in one month. His 85 RBI was second high on the team (trailing Ted WilliamsTed WilliamsTheodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
' 126). - 1951 stats: .251 average, 22 HRs, in 115 Games. - July 7, 1951 - Vollmer hit a grand slam in first inning against the Yankees. Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
- 10, New York Yankees- 4 - July 26, 1951 - Vollmer blasts three home runs in a 13 - 10 win over the White Sox
- July 28, 1951 - In the 16th inning, Vollmer hit the latest-inning grand slam in Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
history. - Sept. 1, 1954- last game played.
http://www.baseballhistorian.com
Transactions
- Jan 1,1939 - Signed by Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. - Sep 27,1948 - Traded by Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
to Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
for Carden GillenwaterCarden GillenwaterCarden Edison Gillenwater was a Major League Baseball center fielder. A native of Riceville, Tennessee, he played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Brooklyn Dodgers , Boston Braves , and Washington Senators .Gillenwater made his major league debut on September 22, 1940 with the St. Louis Cardinals...
. - May 8, 1950 - Traded by Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
to Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
for Merl CombsMerl CombsMerrill Russell "Merl" Combs was a backup shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox , Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians . Combs batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
and Tommy O'BrienTommy O'BrienThomas Edward O'Brien was a outfielder/third baseman in Major League Baseball, playing mainly as a right fielder for three different teams between the and seasons. Listed at 5' 11", 195 lb. O'Brien batted and threw right-handed...
. - Apr 22,1953 - Purchased by Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
from Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. - Sep 17,1954 - Released by Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/vollmcl01.shtml
Baseball Records
- 1942- 6th in league in "Youngest player". -20
- May 31- Hit home run in first game, first pitch. (4th ever)
- 1949- Tied 9th in league in "strikeouts". -62
- 1950, June 8 - only major league ball player to be at bat eight times in eight innings.
- 1951 July 28 - In the 16th inning, hit the latest-inning grand slam in major league history.
- 1952- 4th in league in "Ground into double plays". -20
- 9th in league in "Strike outs". -66
- 8th in league in "Home runs". -22
- 4th in league in "At bat per home runs". -17.5
http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/vollmcl01.shtml
External links
- Clyde Vollmer at Find a GraveFind A GraveFind a Grave is a commercial website providing free access and input to an online database of cemetery records. It was founded in 1998 as a DBA and incorporated in 2000.-History:...