Ebba St. Claire

Edward Joseph St. Claire

• Bats Both, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 219 lb.
• School Colgate University
• Debut April 17, 1951
• Final Game May 18, 1954
• Born August 5, 1921 in Whitehall, NY USA
• Died August 22, 1982 in Whitehall, NY USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Ebba St. Claire had a four-year career as a catcher in the National League. He tied a record in 1951 by participating in 3 double plays in a game as a catcher.

St. Claire served in the World War II from 1943 to 1945 after attending Colgate University in 1942. At Colgate, he played under former major leaguer Eppie Barnes, who was the baseball coach.

It is generally believed that as a younger man, Ebba St. Claire played in the Quebec Provincial League for a couple of years, under the pseudonym, Eddie Thomas. He used the fake name to preserve his college eligibility.

He originally came up to the major leagues at the age of 29, as the backup catcher to the Boston Braves' Walker Cooper. He hit .282. His batting average dropped off in 1952, and he only appeared in 39 games as he became the third-string catcher. In 1953 he was in 33 games, while the 38-year-old Walker Cooper was the second-string catcher to the young Del Crandall.

In 1954, he finished out his career with 20 games for the New York Giants, who went on to win the 1954 World Series. He was the third-string catcher behind Wes Westrum and Ray Katt. At age 32, St. Claire was older than all the position players except Monte Irvin and Hoot Evers. He then played for the Rochester Red Wings in 1955.

St. Claire is the father of former pitcher and coach Randy St. Claire. Another son, Steve St. Claire, was a pitcher/outfielder in the Montreal Expos chain from 1984 to 1988.

While playing for the Milwaukee Braves, he owned and operated Ebba's Home Plate restaurant in a Milwaukee suburb.

Related Sites

• BR Minors page