Tom McBride

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Thomas Raymond McBride

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Biographical Information[edit]

Tom McBride, who was a 28-year-old rookie for the Boston Red Sox in 1943, played during the war years and managed to stick after the war as well. He played six seasons in the major leagues with the Red Sox and the Washington Senators as an outfielder, hitting .275. With the Red Sox in 1945 and 1946, he hit over .300, and appeared in the 1946 World Series. In the first game of the Series, he was the lead-off batter and right fielder, while centerfielder Dom DiMaggio and left fielder Ted Williams batted third and fourth.

He grew up in Texas, where he picked cotton to help his family earn money. Attending a small high school, he earned 16 letters in four sports and graduated second in his class. He was working as a soda jerk when he was given the opportunity to earn money playing semipro ball in 1933. He again played in 1934 and was noticed by a scout for the Chicago White Sox. However, he chose to go to Austin College to play football. After the football season, he signed a baseball contract with a $1,500 bonus, and reported to the East Texas League. In 1937 he played in the Texas League and had his cheekbone shattered by a pitch. Later, he played in the Southeastern League, but he broke some bones while sliding. He came back to the same league in 1938, and reinjured his ankle. The White Sox released him, but he continued to play for the same minor league team in Jackson in 1939 and 1940. In 1941, he hit so well for Jackson that he moved up to Double A ball, and the Boston Red Sox bought him. He was 4-F because of his injuries.

He played in Louisville for part of 1943, and was up with the Red Sox part of the year.

After his major league days, he thought the Senators were going to have him manage in the minors, but he was sold to Chattanooga, where he played in 1949. He wasn't able to get a managing job, and instead accepted an offer to play semipro ball that paid as much as he had gotten paid at Chattanooga. He played semipro ball for years.

He also officiated at football games, and after his semipro days managed rental properties. At age 63, he was hired as assistant baseball coach at Midwestern State University.

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