Bob Schmidt

Robert Benjamin Schmidt

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.

• Debut April 16, 1958
• Final Game June 8, 1965
• Born April 22, 1933 in St. Louis, MO USA
• Died May 2, 2015 in Debary, FL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Bob Schmidt, a 6' 2" catcher, was signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Giants before the 1951 season. He was assigned to the Lenoir Red Sox of the Western Carolina League and he appeared in 50 games, hitting .284 his first year out. The 1952 season saw him with the Oshkosh Giants of the Wisconsin State League, appearing in 119 games and hitting 11 home runs along with a .248 batting average.

The United States Military called for Schmidt's services and he spent the next two seasons (1953-1954) serving his country during the Korean War. Bob spent the next three seasons working his way up the minor league ladder. He came up with the San Francisco Giants in their first year on the West Coast in 1958. Bob swung a hot bat early in his rookie year and was named to the National League All-Star team, but did not appear in the 1958 All-Star Game.

On June 4th of that same year in a game against the Milwaukee Braves, he and Hank Sauer became the first players in National League history to hit back-to-back pinch-hit home runs when they connected off reliever Ernie Johnson. Schmidt shared the receiving duties with Valmy Thomas and finished the year with a .244 average with 14 home runs and 54 RBIs.

After two more seasons with the San Francisco club in 1959 and 1960, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds early in the 1961 season. He closed out a seven-year major league stay with a .243 average along with 39 home runs and 150 RBIs. Bob also wore the uniforms of the Washington Senators in 1962 and 1963. He also appeared in 20 games for the New York Yankees in 1965.

Schmidt finished up his baseball career at the age of 33 in 1966 with the Toledo Mud Hens of the International League, giving him ten years in the minor leagues with a .263 hitting average and 93 home runs while appearing in 861 games.

After baseball, Schmidt became a construction company foreman. He retired in St. Charles, MO.

Notable Achievements

• NL All-Star (1958)

Sources

Baseball Players of the 1950s