Ray Schalk | |||
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Schalk with the Chicago White Sox in 1920
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Catcher / Coach / Manager | |||
Born: Harvel, Illinois |
August 12, 1892|||
Died: May 19, 1970 Chicago, Illinois |
(aged 77)|||
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MLB debut | |||
August 11, 1912, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
Last MLB appearance | |||
September 15, 1929, for the New York Giants | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Batting average | .253 | ||
Hits | 1,345 | ||
Home runs | 11 | ||
Runs batted in | 594 | ||
Games managed | 228 | ||
Managerial record | 102–125 | ||
Winning % | .449 | ||
Teams | |||
As Player As Manager |
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Career highlights and awards | |||
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Member of the National | |||
Baseball Hall of Fame | |||
Inducted | 1955 | ||
Election Method | Veteran's Committee |
As Player
As Manager
Raymond William Schalk (August 12, 1892 – May 19, 1970) was an American professional baseball player, coach, manager and scout. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox for the majority of his career. Known for his fine handling of pitchers and outstanding defensive ability, Schalk was considered the greatest defensive catcher of his era. He revolutionized the way the catching position was played by using his speed and agility to expand the previously accepted defensive capabilities for his position. Schalk was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955.
Born in Harvel, Illinois to German immigrant parents, Schalk grew up in Litchfield, Illinois. He dropped out of high school to enter the printer's trade, learning to operate a linotype machine. When career advancement proved difficult in that trade, he began to play professional baseball.
By the age of 18 in 1911, Schalk split time between the D-league Taylorville Christians in the Illinois–Missouri League, where he hit .387, and the Single-A Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association. In 1912, he posted a .271 batting average in 80 games for Milwaukee and attracted the attention of the Chicago White Sox because of his aggressive approach to the catching position. The White Sox purchased him from the Brewers for $10,000 and two other players.