Earl Torgeson

Clifford Earl Torgeson
(The Earl Of Snohomish)

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 3", Weight 180 lb.
• High School Snohomish High School
• Debut April 15, 1947
• Final Game August 23, 1961
• Born January 1, 1924 in Snohomish, WA USA
• Died November 8, 1990 in Everett, WA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

A much underrated player, long and lithe Earl Torgeson played 15 major league seasons. Torgeson was a complete player - an excellent fielder, a speedy baserunner, and a good, solid batsman with an eagle eye. Earlier in his career (when base-stealing was not emphasized), he stole 19 and 20 bases and finished with 133 during his career. In his 15-year big league career, he also compiled a terrific career on-base percentage of .385.

He appeared in the 1948 World Series as a member of the Boston Braves and the 1959 World Series as a member of the Chicago White Sox. Neither team won the series.

Torgeson played for the minor league Seattle Rainiers in 1942 and 1946, missing the 1943-1945 seasons due to military service. He played in the Pacific Coast Professional Basketball League, according to the Los Angeles Times of December 19, 1946.

Torgeson served fours years as County Commissioner of Snohomish County, WA from 1972 to 1976.

His son, Andy Torgeson, played in the New York Yankees system in 1968 and 1969.

Notable Achievements

• NL Runs Scored Leader (1950)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1950 & 1951)
• 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1950)

Further Reading

• Bruce Jacobs, ed. :"Boston's Hard-Hitting Humorist", Sport Life, Volume 3, Number 2, October 1949.
• Harry T. Paxton: "The Jesting First Baseman of Boston", Saturday Evening Post, Volume 223, Number 48, May 26, 1951, pp. 27-31.
• Linda Shaw: "Earl Torgeson, Major League and Former County Commissioner", The Seattle Times, November 10, 1990, pp. C10-. [1]
• Earl Torgeson (as told to Bill Schaefer): "The Game I'll Never Forget", Baseball Digest, January 1978, pp. 84-86.

Related Sites

• Earl Torgeson at the SABR Bio Project