Otto Denning
Encyclopedia
Otto George Denning was a Major League Baseball
catcher
who played for two seasons. He played for the Cleveland Indians
from 1942 to 1943. He made his major league debut on April 15, 1942.
Otto "Dutch" Denning attended high school in Chicago before beginning his pro baseball career in 1933. While playing for the Minneapolis Millers
in 1938, he finished second to teammate Ted Williams
in the American Association
batting race. After nine seasons in the minors
, he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the Rule 5 draft
after the 1941 season. While many players were away serving in World War II
, he made his big league debut on skipper Lou Boudreau
's club in 1942 and played a season and a half in the majors. After that, he returned to the minors, where he later managed.
While in the minors with the Milwaukee Brewers, Denning became friends with Bill Veeck
. After Veeck got out of baseball in the 1980s, he and Denning would often attend Chicago Cubs
games, sitting together in the Wrigley Field
bleachers.
Denning died at age 79 after suffering a heart attack in his home in Chicago. He was the uncle of big leaguer Chris Bourjos
. He was the husband of Agnes Denning (née Lalowski) and father of four children: Rose O'Toole, Dorothy Denning, Michael Denning, and Patrick Denning. He has two grandchildren: Patrick O'Toole Jr. and Kristina Denning.
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...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
who played for two seasons. He played for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
from 1942 to 1943. He made his major league debut on April 15, 1942.
Otto "Dutch" Denning attended high school in Chicago before beginning his pro baseball career in 1933. While playing for the Minneapolis Millers
Minneapolis Millers
The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, until 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League.The team played first in Athletic Park and later Nicollet Park.The name Minneapolis...
in 1938, he finished second to teammate Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore 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...
in the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
batting race. After nine seasons in the minors
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, he was selected by the Cleveland Indians in the Rule 5 draft
Rule 5 draft
The Rule 5 draft is a Major League Baseball player draft that occurs each year in December, at the annual Winter Meeting of general managers. The Rule 5 draft aims to prevent teams from stockpiling too many young players on their minor league affiliate teams when other teams would be willing to...
after the 1941 season. While many players were away serving 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...
, he made his big league debut on skipper Lou Boudreau
Lou Boudreau
Louis "Lou" Boudreau was an American Major League Baseball player and manager. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
's club in 1942 and played a season and a half in the majors. After that, he returned to the minors, where he later managed.
While in the minors with the Milwaukee Brewers, Denning became friends with Bill Veeck
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck, Jr. , also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was a native of Chicago, Illinois, and a franchise owner and promoter in Major League Baseball. He was best known for his publicity stunts to raise attendance. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis...
. After Veeck got out of baseball in the 1980s, he and Denning would often attend Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
games, sitting together in the Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
bleachers.
Denning died at age 79 after suffering a heart attack in his home in Chicago. He was the uncle of big leaguer Chris Bourjos
Chris Bourjos
Christopher Bourjos is a retired professional baseball player who played part of one season for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He has worked as an Arizona-based scout for the Baltimore Orioles since 2010...
. He was the husband of Agnes Denning (née Lalowski) and father of four children: Rose O'Toole, Dorothy Denning, Michael Denning, and Patrick Denning. He has two grandchildren: Patrick O'Toole Jr. and Kristina Denning.