Babe Birrer
From BR Bullpen
Werner Joseph Birrer
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 195 lb.
- Debut June 5, 1955
- Final Game September 24, 1958
- Born July 4, 1929 in Buffalo, NY USA
[edit] Biographical Information
On July 19, 1955, Birrer pitched four shutout innings in relief. He also went 2 for 2 at the plate, hitting two three-run homers off of George Zuverink and Art Schallock of the Baltimore Orioles. The two homers and six RBI constitute his career totals in those statistics.
It is not surprising, though, that when he was put on waivers in 1956, he was quickly selected -- by Baltimore.
True, but funny story from "Babe" Birrer. He was traded from Vancouver a Triple A affiliate of The Orioles in 1957 to Los Angeles Angels Dodgers Triple A affiliate and threw a no hitter against his old manager Charlie Metro of Vancouver.
Babe also gave up one of Mickey Mantle's three longest shots. He received the moniker "babe" after he hit two three-run homers in one game while working four innings of relief. He is perhaps the only man in the history of MLB who played more than one year to have his entire lifetime home run and RBI totals in one game.
