Dick Spalding

Charles Harry Spalding

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 5' 11", Weight 185 lb.
• High School Northeast Manual Training School
• Debut April 18, 1927
• Final Game July 12, 1928
• Born October 13, 1893 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died February 3, 1950 in Philadelphia, PA USA

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Biographical Information

Dick Spalding was a soccer player who eventually made his major league debut at age 33 with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1927. He was the regular left fielder on the team, hitting .296 on a team whose average was .280.

The following year he hit .348 in 23 at-bats for the Senators.

After his playing career ended, Spalding was a Phillies coach from 1934 to 1936 and a member of the Chicago Cubs staff from 1941 to 1943. While a coach, he was one of several baseballers who urged Bucky Walters to become a pitcher, which Walters did with great success. Later he scouted for the Cubs.

Spalding is also a member of the National Soccer Hall of Fame, having played in the United States first ever international match against Sweden in 1916, where he scored a goal.

Related Sites

• Dick Spalding at the SABR Bio Project
• National Soccer Hall of Fame