Don Bollweg

Donald Raymond Bollweg

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.

• Debut September 28, 1950
• Final Game May 10, 1955
• Born February 12, 1921 in Wheaton, IL USA
• Died May 26, 1996 in Wheaton, IL USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"He's been knocking around the minors for a long time. His name is Boll... Boll... Boll Weevil, or something like that." - Casey Stengel

Don Bollweg was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1942 but did not reach the majors until 1950, when he was 29. He played five years in the majors, with most of his at-bats in 1953 and 1954. He exclusively played first base in the field while in the majors. Bollweg made three appearances for the New York Yankees in the 1953 World Series. Bill James picked the 1953 Yankees as having a notably "slow bench" [1], with Bollweg, Irv Noren, Johnny Mize, and others, although Bollweg presumably had some speed because he had four triples in limited play. In 1955 and 1956, Bollweg was with the Minneapolis Millers, and appeared in the 1955 Junior World Series with them. He retired as a player in 1956.

Bollweg served in the U.S. Army during World War II, missing the 1943 through 1945 seasons. After baseball, he worked in real estate and insurance and was an Election Board official in his hometown of Wheaton, IL.

Notable Achievements

• 1952 MVP American Association Kansas City Blues
• Won a World Series with the New York Yankees in 1953