Bob Anderson

Robert Carl Anderson
(Hammond Hummer)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 4½", Weight 210 lb.
• School Michigan State University, Western Michigan College
• High School Hammond (IN) High School
• Debut July 31, 1957
• Final Game September 25, 1963
• Born September 29, 1935 in East Chicago, IN USA
• Died March 12, 2015 in Tulsa, OK USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Bob Anderson was signed by the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent on July 29, 1954. The 18-year-old pitcher spent his first season with the Cedar Rapids Indians of the Three-I League, getting into 6 games, winning 3 while losing 1 with a 2.93 ERA. The following season he spent with the Des Moines Bruins of the Western League going 11-5 with a 3.74 ERA. Bob spent his third year with the Los Angeles Angels of the Pacific Coast League, going 12-4 in 70 appearances, with a 2.65 ERA.

At the age of 21, Anderson got his first look at major leaguers with the 1957 Chicago Cubs. He appeared in 8 games, pitched 16 innings, went 0-1 with a 7.71 ERA. He also spent time with the Portland Beavers of the PCL, going 4-9 with a 5.04 ERA. The big right-hander was 3-3 in 17 games, pitching 66 innings and posting a 3.97 ERA for the Cubs in 1958 and did a bit better for the Fort Worth Cats of the AA Texas League, finishing 9-6 in 127 innings for a 2.83 ERA.

Anderson spent the next four seasons, 1959 through 1962 with the Cubbies, going 30-41 with a 4.38 ERA. Bob started 36 games and pitched 235 innings in 1959 with a 12-13 record and a 4.13 ERA. He pitched his only career complete game shutout that year, August 24th, against the Milwaukee Braves. He gave up 6 hits, walked one and struck out five. This was probably his best winning effort in his major league career. He appeared in 57 games and pitched 204 innings in 1960 and made 57 appearances and pitched 152 innings in 1961. His combined two-year record was 9-17. To level out the playing field somewhat, it must be brought up he was pitching for a sixth-place team with a record below .500.

Anderson was traded to the Detroit Tigers on November 28, 1962, for Steve Boros. He went 3-1 for the Tigers in 1963, appearing in 32 games, pitching 60 innings and having a 3.30 ERA. On November 28th, Anderson was traded by the Tigers along with Rocky Colavito and $50,000 to the Kansas City Athletics for Jerry Lumpe, Ed Rakow and Dave Wickersham. Big Andy gave it a try with the 1964 Dallas Rangers and the Lewiston Broncs but fell to a combined 7-15 record in 27 games in 147 innings with a 6.47 ERA. 1964 was the end of his professional baseball trail after eleven seasons.

Notable Achievements

• 200 Innings Pitched Seasons: 2 (1959 & 1960)

Sources

The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball: Third Edition
SABR Minor League Database
baseball-reference.com