Herb Plews

Herbert Eugene Plews

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 160 lb.
• School University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• High School Helena (MT) High School
• Debut April 18, 1956
• Final Game July 26, 1959
• Born June 14, 1928 in Helena, MT USA
• Died December 12, 2014 in Boulder, CO USA

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Biographical Information

Infielder Herb Plews played four seasons in the majors and was best known for his defensive skills.

A native of Montana, Plews attended the University of Illinois before signing with the New York Yankees. He played in their organization in 1950 but then missed the next two seasons due to military service. After his time in the Army, he returned to the Yankees system. He hit .299 with 16 triples for the Birmingham Barons in 1954 and then posted a .302 average for the Denver Bears the following year.

Prior to the 1956 season, Plews was dealt to the Washington Senators as part of a seven-player trade that brought Mickey McDermott to New York. He opened the season with the Senators and made his big league debut on April 18th against the Yankees, notching a pinch-hit single off Jim Konstanty and driving in a run. He saw little action in the season's first three months and hit just .167 in the first half. However, in late July, he began seeing regular playing time at second base, and he ended the year with a .270 average in 91 games. He was the club's regular second baseman in 1957, and after hitting only .167 in April, he ended the season with a .271 batting average.

Plews spent three and a half years with Washington before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in June 1959. He played only 13 games with Boston, however, as he was sent to the minors. He went on to play in the minor leagues for six more seasons, through 1965.

Related Sites

• Herb Plews at the SABR Bio Project