Tom Winsett

John Thomas Winsett
(Long Tom)

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 2", Weight 190 lb.
• School Bethel College
• High School McKenzie High School
• Debut April 20, 1930
• Final Game May 1, 1938
• Born November 24, 1909 in McKenzie, TN USA
• Died July 20, 1987 in Memphis, TN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

" . . .one of the most curious players on the most curious team in the major leagues." - from a 1938 Life Magazine issue

Long Tom Winsett played seven years in the major leagues for three teams. He was also a highly-touted minor league star of whom much was expected in the majors.

At age 19, Tom dominated the 1929 Mobile Bears by hitting .346.

At age 21, in 1931, Winsett got into 64 games with the Boston Red Sox, where a teammate was Earl Webb, who set the record that year with 67 doubles.

At age 22, he hit .351 with 18 home runs for the Buffalo Bisons.

At age 24, Tom had 21 home runs with a .356 average for the Rochester Red Wings. A teammate, Johnny Mize, hit .339 with 17 home runs (although Mize was younger).

Later, Tom dominated the American Association in 1936, with 50 home runs and a .354 average, and the Brooklyn Dodgers were very excited to get him for their team. He was with the Dodgers for some games in 1936, became a regular in 1937, and then a few more games in 1938 (when he hit .300).

During World War II, Lieutenant Long Tom Winsett managed an Army Air Corps service team that included Joe DiMaggio, Ferris Fain, and other major leaguers.

Related Sites

• Tom Winsett at the SABR Bio Project