Lou Vassie

Louis William Vassie

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 11", Weight 165 lb.
• School University of Louisville
• High School DuPont Manual High School

• Born June 30, 1936 in Louisville, KY USA

BR Minors page

Biographical Information

Lou Vassie played nine years in the minor leagues (four in AAA), hitting over .300 twice, over .280 twice and twice smacking 17 or more home runs. At least twice, he led his league in runs scored. He made league All-Star teams four times, leading the entire voting on two occasions.

Vassie broke in with the 1955 Bradford Phillies, hitting .261 with 0 HR and 25 RBI. In 1956, he improved significantly, batting .301 with 7 HR and 41 RBI and leading the PONY League with 116 runs scored. In one game, he went 6-for-6, tying the league record.

In 1957, Lou was with the Salt Lake City Bees and hit .281/~.405/.479 with 118 runs, 21 HR, 21 SB, 7 triples and 95 walks. He hit 3 home runs in one 7-inning game along with two grand slam home runs. Vassie tied Leon Carmel for the Pioneer League lead in runs scored. He also did a great job defensively, leading league second basemen in fielding percentage (.971) and assists (393) and tying for the lead in double plays (80) to complete an all-around great season.

Lou moved on to the Williamsport Grays and in 1958, batted .254 with 6 homers and 48 RBI's in a season shortened to half by a broken collarbone the day before the All-Star Game. In 1959 he was placed on the Philadelphia Phillies 40-man roster during spring training but was sent to AAA with the Buffalo Bisons and hit .239 with 9 HR and 44 RBI. Returning to Buffalo in 1960, he hit .223 with 6 homers and 23 runs batted in.

In 1961, the veteran returned to Williamsport and hit .308 with 17 HR and 68 RBI. He tied Jim O'Rourke for fifth in the Eastern League in homers and made the top 10 in average. He also spent part of the season with the Chattanooga Lookouts, hitting .244 with 1 HR and 6 RBI. In 1961, he was selected second baseman for the Topps Class A All-Star team.

In 1962, Vassie returned to AAA with the Indianapolis Indians and batted .243 with 7 HR and 28 RBI. In '63, he hit .282 with 2 HR and 30 RBI for Indianapolis to conclude his career at the age of 27 having played on three AAA championship teams. His '63 Indians manager Rollie Hemsley made the following quote: "no one in this league can turn the double play like Vassie, someone should draft him".

In the 1963-64 off-season Vassie worked in a Louisville sportig goods store. Indianapolis received word in spring training that Vassie was retiring. He played semi-pro ball in 1964 for the Louisville Merchants.

Sources: 1958 Baseball Guide, Pat Doyle's Professional Baseball Player Database, personal communication from Lou Vassie