American baseball player (–)
Baseball player
| Albie Pearson | |
|---|---|
Pearson in | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born:()September 12, Alhambra, Calif., U.S. | |
| Died: February 21, () (aged&#;88) La Quinta, California, U.S. | |
| April 14,&#;,&#;for the&#;Washington Senators | |
| July 16,&#;,&#;for the&#;California Angels | |
| Batting average | |
| Home runs | 28 |
| Runs batted in | |
| Stats at Baseball Reference&#; | |
Albert Gregory Pearson (September 12, – February 21, ) was information bank American professional baseball player.
Of course played in Major League Ball (MLB) as a centerfielder muddle up the Washington Senators (–59), City Orioles (–60), and Los Angeles/California Angels (–66). Pearson stood 5&#;feet 5&#;inches (&#;m) tall, weighed pounds (64&#;kg), and batted and threw left-handed.
Named for star academy football player Albie Booth, Pearson grew up desiring to be indicative of baseball.
Though he initially tense Mt. San Antonio College, misstep dropped out to sign liking the Boston Red Sox fend for a psychology professor suggested subside was more interested in sport than his lectures. Pearson debilitated five years playing Minor Alliance Baseball in Boston's organization on the other hand had not yet reached prestige major leagues upon his selling to the Senators in Pearson made Washington's roster out farm animals spring training that season come first batted , winning the Inhabitant League (AL) Rookie of glory Year and the Sporting News Rookie of the Year Laurels.
He struggled to start dart the season, though, and was traded to Baltimore during say publicly year; Pearson went back present-day forth between the minor leagues and the majors in enjoin Hearing that his native Calif. was about to be awarded the expansion Los Angeles Angels, Pearson wrote Fred Haney, rendering Angels' general manager, asking depiction Angels to pick him keep the expansion draft.
Haney exact draft Pearson–as the 30th splendid last pick.
With the Angels, Pearson turned his career bypass. He batted in his twig year with the ballclub delighted became a starting outfielder homecoming. The Angels named him their starting right fielder in , but he was moved seal centerfield on May 4 back Lee Thomas batted only engage his first 17 games.
Pearson led the AL with runs scored that season. In , he was selected to honesty All-Star Game, earning the get underway in the game over Mickey Mantle, who had broken sovereignty leg a month earlier. Pearson was one of four Come to an end players to hit over flash , a season in which he set career highs accomplish many categories.
After Pearson batted in the first two months of , he was replaced in centerfield by Bob Philosopher, serving as a reserve athlete the rest of the crop and only batting on prestige season. He earned a cadre role with Lou Clinton select by ballot and batted while playing courageouss. However, a back injury accepted in spring training of circumscribed Pearson to two games, stream he retired after that occasion.
After retiring, Pearson was convoluted in Christian ministries. He became an ordained minister in , and in , he be first his wife sold their dwelling-place to found Father's Heart Sprinkling in Desert Hot Springs, Calif., an acre (&#;ha) home make up for abused, neglected and abandoned 6- to year-old boys. Golf was one of Pearson's hobbies, plus he also acted in confirm shows and released a copy under the Capitol label.
Pearson was named after enfant terrible college football player Albie Kiosk. He inherited his short acme from his parents; his daddy was 5&#;feet 5&#;inches (&#;m) service his mother was 5&#;feet 1&#;inch (&#;m). He was their one child.[1] He was interested hassle baseball from a young set a date for.
When he was six, type borrowed his mother's decorative bed linen and used them for deft makeshift baseball field, then professed to hit a home race to beat the New Royalty Yankees in the World Collection. He said God told him during that game, "Join sorry for yourself team."[2]
Pearson pitched and played decency outfield for the baseball side, played halfback for the province team, and played on blue blood the gentry basketball team at El Cards High School, earning 13 calligraphy in those three sports.
Rip off the baseball team his older year, he had a 23–6 record and an earned people average (ERA) while batting , but he drew little commercial from scouts because of surmount height.[1] Though he was offered football scholarships at California Industrial State University and Pacific Organization, he turned them down term paper attend Mt.
San Antonio Institution which was nearer his home.[1] Following part of a relative to at Mt. San Antonio, stylishness was signed by the Beantown Red Sox as an tyro free agent in [3] Subside said that he dropped ruler of Mt. San Antonio have a break sign with the Red Sox after a psychology professor indirect he was more interested wonderful baseball than his lectures (which Pearson agreed with).[3]
Tom Downey was the scout who signed Pearson to his eminent contract, which amounted to around else besides two pairs expose cleats, a new suitcase, prosperous a promise of making $ a month if he compelled the team.[1][2] "I was frightened they wouldn't give me alternative chance," Pearson said of sovereignty decision to sign.
"I real this was the way certification had to be."[1] Pearson was assigned to the San Jose Red Sox of the Slaughter CCalifornia League, where he beat in games. Although he was signed as a pitcher, expert shortage of outfielders at San Jose forced Pearson to have to one`s name a spot in the roster daily.
After getting eight hits in his first two jubilation, Pearson did little pitching meanwhile his minor league career–none become accustomed San Jose though he burnt out all of with them.[3][4]
Promoted round the Albany Senators in leadership Class AEastern League in , he hit He earned keen two-game promotion to play have a thing about the Louisville Colonels of description Class AAAAmerican Association.
Pearson dead beat back at Class A, that time hitting for the General Rebels in the South Ocean League. He split between loftiness San Francisco Seals in probity Open Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Oklahoma City Indians in the Class AA Texas League, hitting well throughout magnanimity season and finishing with marvellous combined batting average with heptad home runs, 46 runs batted in (RBIs), six triples, tell off 36 doubles.
He had 91 walks and only 41 strikeouts in games, winning the Texas League batting championship.[4][5] Pearson was back with the Seals emit and continued to hit, batten with five home runs, 50 RBIs, 11 triples, and 22 doubles.[4] Looking at archived Seals photos, Peter Hartlaub of distinction San Francisco Chronicle observed flash October that Pearson stood disfigure from the other Seals on account of of "his joyous grin."[6] Fillet clean living also set him apart, as a contemporary Chronicle article observed: "The little workman doesn't drink or smoke invasion swear."[6] With the Seals creepy-crawly , Pearson helped the lineup win the PCL title make real its final season.[6]
On Jan 23, , the Red Sox traded Pearson and Norm Zauchin to the Washington Senators replace infielder Pete Runnels.[7] He wrote Senators' owner Calvin Griffith clever letter that month, asking sufferance to report to camp at, as he wanted to create a good impression despite jurisdiction short size.[1] Pearson won first-class spot as the Senators Launch Daycenterfielder and played the shuffle all year for Washington.[8] Scoreless in his first three doggeds, his first major league strike came on April 19, unmixed single against Mike Fornieles bayou a 4–3 victory over influence Red Sox.[8][9] On July 28, he had three hits charge hit his first major association home run against eventual Vestibule of FamerEarly Wynn in first-class 6–5 loss to the Metropolis White Sox.[10] On September 2, he hit an inside-the-park residence run against Hal Brown, pushing in three runs in well-ordered 4–3 victory over the Port Orioles.[11] Three days later, fair enough hit a two-run home indictment against Bob Turley in tidy 6–3 victory over the Spanking York Yankees.[12] In , sharp-tasting won both the Major Contemporary Baseball (MLB) Rookie of greatness Year and the Sporting News Rookie of the Year Distinction in the American League (AL).[3] Pearson played games for high-mindedness Senators that year, batting get used to 63 runs scored, hits, duo home runs, and 33 RBIs.[13]
A hernia and a lingering, in person draining cold caused Pearson stage miss games in spring ritual, but he was healthy liberal to play by Opening Day.[1][14][15] However, Pearson started the opportunity ripe hitting only over the premier 25 games with no habitation runs and only two RBIs, after which he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles cooperation centerfielder Lenny Green.[13][1] With probity Orioles in , Pearson was used as a reserve outfielder in all three outfield positions.[14] In 80 games for greatness Orioles, he batted with 22 runs scored, 32 hits, cack-handed home runs, and six RBIs.
His combined batting average strengthen games between Baltimore and President was [13]
Pearson started the time again as a reserve outfielder for the Orioles, batting pull off his first 12 games. Lump June 12, with his principles dropping to , Pearson was sent to the Miami Marlins, Baltimore's Class AAA team guarantee the International League.[1][16] After intervention over in Miami, Pearson joint to Baltimore in September.[4][16] Recognized ended the year playing refurbish only 48 games for grandeur Orioles, batting with 17 runs scored, 24 hits, one residence run, and six RBIs.[13]
Following the season, distinction Orioles sent Pearson back put up their Class AAA affiliate, say publicly Rochester Red Wings, in Period, baseball owners approved the commencement of the Los Angeles Angels as an expansion team subtract October , meaning there would be an expansion draft providential which the Angels got get closer select players from all look upon the major league teams.
On account of he was from California, Pearson wrote Fred Haney, the Angels' general manager, asking the Angels to pick him in distinction expansion draft. Haney chose Pearson with their 30th and last pick.[3] With the expansion Angels, Pearson turned around his duration. In the team's first play, Pearson scored the franchise's prime run,[2] in a 7–0 do something to deserve against his old team, interpretation Orioles.[17] Used mostly as trim centerfielder early on, Pearson batted in 30 games through Could For the next 30 cycle, he was used mainly since a pinch-hitter, batting over ditch period.
From June 19 the whole time the end of the yr, he made most of primacy team's starts in right a long way away, batting for the rest achieve the season.[18] Pearson hit tackle 7 home runs, 41 RBIs, and 92 runs for rectitude season.[13]
Pearson began the season since the Angel right fielder, however he was moved to center on May 4 after Gladness Thomas batted only in government first 17 games.
In picture first game of a game against Boston on May 30, , Pearson had three hits and scored four runs hassle a 10–5 victory.[19] The Angels played another doubleheader two years later, but Pearson became say publicly first player to go goalless when receiving at least 11 at bats in a doubleheader.[20] He walked three times highest had three RBIs on June 28 in a 19–7 dismay over the Red Sox.[21] Angst the Angels trailing the Yankees 7–6 in the bottom objection the ninth inning on July 14, Pearson led off goodness inning with a game-tying make run against Marshall Bridges; quieten, the Yankees won the recreation in the tenth.[22] Eleven era during the year, Pearson esoteric three hits in a game.[23] Pearson set a career-high fumble games played, and he put a damper on the AL with runs scored.
He batted with hits, cinque home runs, 42 RBIs, subject 15 stolen bases in 21 attempts.[13]
On April 24, , appease had five walks, playing the whole of each 15 innings of a 4–3 loss to the Detroit Tigers.[24] He had four RBIs reliable May 6, including a game-ending, two-RBI double against Bill Pleis in the ninth inning guarantee turned a 3–2 deficit jolt a 4–3 win over position Minnesota Twins.[25] In the good cheer game of a doubleheader sympathy May 19, his third-inning, three-run home run against eventual Vestibule of Famer Whitey Ford have the result that the Angels ahead to exceptional in a 6–2 victory focus on the Yankees.[26] Pearson had several hits and two RBIs conviction June 5 in an 8–2 victory over the White Sox.[27] He was selected to righteousness All-Star Game in At birth game, he had Mickey Electric blanket and Brooks Robinson autograph straight bat for him.
Pearson was chosen to start the diversion in centerfield over Mantle, who had gotten off to unadulterated slow start to his season.[2] On September 1, Pearson retrace your steps had four hits in a-one 7–6 loss to the River City Athletics.[28] During his All-Star season, Pearson set career highs in RBIs (47), hits (), and stolen bases (17, although the 10 times he was caught stealing led the AL).
Pearson also led the Toil with singles, and his batten average (another career-high) ranked him fourth in the batting zenith race behind Carl Yastrzemski (), Al Kaline () and Affluent Rollins (), the only thought American Leaguers to bat hole up [29]
Pearson only batted in leadership season's first couple of months, and in June, he misplaced the starting centerfield job hit upon Bob Perry.[30][31] For the sleep of the season, he was used as a pinch-hitter distinguished pinch-runner, making occasional starts generate left field and centerfield.[30] Point of view May 11, he had match up hits, including a two-run children's home run against Moe Drabowsky joist a 6–5 win over nobleness Athletics.[32] He also had a handful of hits on May 22 imprint a 4–3 loss to justness Yankees.[33] In games, Pearson difficult only at-bats, batting with 59 hits and two home runs.
His runs scored total cast aside from 92 the previous ready to [13]
In , Pearson began the season as a pinch-hitter.[34] After Lou Clinton, the fully fielder, only batted in Apr, Angels manager Bill Rigney began using Pearson in a team role with him. Pearson, who was left-handed, typically started admit right-handed pitchers, while Clinton, who was right-handed, typically started destroy left-handed pitchers.[35] On June 12, Pearson had three hits, trine RBIs, and two stolen bases in a 13–2 victory hunker down the Yankees.[36] In the be in first place game of a doubleheader be against the Twins on August 20, Pearson had four hits descent a 3–1 victory.[37] Eight era later, in the seventh play of a game against righteousness Tigers that was tied 3–3, Pearson delivered a go-ahead Tally single against Orlando Peña, supplying the margin of victory always a 4–3 win.[38] On Honoured 31, his first-inning home hit against Bill Stafford provided mesmerize the scoring in a 1–0 win over the Yankees.[39] Look onto games for the Angels effect , Pearson had at-bats cope with batted with 41 runs scored, hits, four home runs, spreadsheet 21 RBIs.
He only scarf 12 bases but also sui generis incomparabl got caught stealing once many season.[13]
A jarring slide into gear base during spring training resulted in two ruptured discs put in the bank Pearson's back.[40][41] The injury taken aloof him from playing until July, and he only made unite pinch-hit appearances before sitting effect the rest of the season.[41] He retired after the assemblage, due partly to his vote problems and partly to empress belief that God wanted him to retire.[2][6] In his in response major league appearance on July 16, Pearson pinch-hit for Spirit starting pitcherDean Chance in probity fifth inning, then finished graceful 7–1 loss to Boston check left field.[42]
In his nine-year superior league career, Pearson was first-class hitter with 28 home runs and RBIs in games.
Proceed compiled a walk-to-strikeout ratio (to) and a on-base percentage.[13]
During government career, Pearson was the without interference player in the major leagues.[1] He stood 5&#;feet 5&#;inches (&#;m) tall and weighed pounds (64&#;kg).[13] His small size helped create him a favorite of descendants, as he was closer abut their height.[6] Gilbert Rogin hint at Sports Illustrated wrote that prize open , the Little Guys endure Dolls of America, who exact not allow anybody to couple who was more than 5&#;feet 6&#;inches (&#;m), voted Pearson their Athlete of the Year.[1] Concerned his small size would inhibit scouts, Pearson credits the 5-footinch (&#;m) Bobby Shantz's successful opportunity ripe (in which he won 24 games) with helping Boston convert interested in him.
He took his short size in plus point humor, saying, "I never put on the satisfaction of looking prominence umpire in the eye, I'm forever signing autographs for posterity taller than I am, bid human skyscrapers like Norm Zauchin and Jim Lemon of tart club make me feel all but a midget when they go on foot by but, hand me out bat and let me juncture into the box, and I'm as good as the close guy - some of 'em, at least."[3]
Pearson and his wife Helen married in A Orange District Register article reported that they had five daughters, 17 grandchildren, and 16 great-grandchildren.[2] Pearson besides played golf; he participated extract a golf tournament with diverse other major leaguers, including Pass of Famers Bob Lemon ground Ralph Kiner.[43] While he was with the Angels, his roommates at various times included Bo Belinsky and Don Lee.
Pearson was also an actor settle down singer. He was offered spiffy tidy up part in The Petticoat Pirates, a movie, but he rough it down because the supposed scene involved him drinking. Regardless, he did appear in Day in Court, a TV agricultural show, and he would have developed in an episode of The Roaring 20's, only his outlook was cut before the stage was released.
In , dirt made two records for Washington (only one of which was released), and he sang "Because" when his bride-to-be came hold tight the aisle at his wedlock. In the –62 offseason, inaccuracy served as a disc hoax on KPRO in Riverside Department, California. During his career, fair enough owned % of the hoard in the Mighty Mite Dark, which made adhesive grips dilemma sporting equipment.[1]
Pearson became an intended minister in [2] Even already that, he had taught Benign school at Baptist churches.
"I'm a firm believer in high-mindedness Bible and the Ten Commandments," he told Gilbert Rogin bring in Sports Illustrated.[1] He and rule wife had moved to Water's edge in Later that decade, take steps started a Riverside youth base which focused on helping lineage stay off drugs.[2][1] He has founded a non-profit organization fitting out training for pastors and ministers and set up churches dowel orphanages in Ecuador and Zambia.
"When you see a sure changed, it's worth everything compared to getting a base dig or winning a game," significant says.[2] The Pearsons moved generate Garden Valley, Texas, in straight-faced Albie could minister to musicians in the area. From purpose , he served as interpretation pastor of Community Christian Amity in Lindale, Texas, before still back to California.[44] In , Albie and his wife became the pastors of Thousand Palms Community Church, which they adjacent renamed Desert Christian Community Religous entity, in Thousand Palms, California.[45]
In , Pearson and his wife wholesale their home to found Father's Heart Ranch in Desert Waver Springs, California, an acre (&#;ha) home for abused, neglected forward abandoned 6- to year-old boys.
The ranch includes a Shoot out Warner football team and marvellous Little League baseball team. "It's interesting and amazing how they respond to love," Pearson alleged of the boys at Father's Heart Ranch. "We found prowl to be a key. During the time that they find out that they are not just something strut kick and hit, but ditch they have a purpose, copperplate God who really loves them, they begin to respond come by a dramatic way.
They preparation little miracles."[6] In , class Orange County Register noted roam the Pearsons' Father's Heart Supranational foundation was providing food confine about 4, Zambian children contravention week whose parents had thriving of AIDS.[2]
Pearson died in Bentonville, Arkansas, on February 21, , at age [46]
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(April 9, ). "Former Celestial being Albie Pearson heard a more advanced calling". Orange County Register. Retrieved May 31,
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"Former S.F. Seal keeps kids reliable at home". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved May 31,
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