Dick Coffman

Samuel Richard Coffman

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 195 lb.
• High School Athens High School
• Debut April 28, 1927
• Final Game June 28, 1945
• Born December 18, 1906 in Veto, AL USA
• Died March 24, 1972 in Athens, AL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Brother of Slick Coffman, Dick Coffman had a lengthy big league career in the major leagues, pitching from 1927 to 1940 and coming back for 14 games in 1945.

Dick hit the majors with the Washington Senators at age 20, pitching alongside the great Walter Johnson. He spent most of his career with the St. Louis Browns, tossing 23 complete games between 1930 and 1931 with adequate ERAs and a combined 17-31 record. In the fall of 1935, he was sold to the New York Giants, becoming an effective bullpen weapon. In 1936, he led the NL in games finished while recording 7 saves, a 7-5 record and 3.90 ERA. He appeared in each of the next two World Series, in 1936 and 1937, both losing efforts to the New York Yankees, finishing his career with a tough 12.00 ERA in 6 innings of Fall Classic action. In 1938, he led the league again in appearances, games finished and saves, going 8-4 with a 3.48 ERA and 12 saves in 51 games. His usage dropped off shortly thereafter, finishing his big league career as a warm body in the Philadelphia Phillies bullpen during the last lean World War II season of 1945.

His obituary, from the Athens, Alabama Courier, called him "An Old Pro", and said he started in pro ball at age 17. In the minors, he played for Chattanooga, Birmingham, and Knoxville.

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Playoffs	Notes
1946	Ozark Eagles	Alabama State League		6th		replaced Ray Knapp