Bob Cerv
From BR Bullpen
Robert Henry Cerv
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6'0", Weight 210 lbs
- School University of Nebraska
- Debut August 1, 1951
- Final Game July 29, 1962
- Born May 5, 1926 in Lincoln, NE USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Bob Cerv spent most of his 12-year career with the New York Yankees and the Kansas City Athletics.
Born in Nebraska, he played college ball at the University of Nebraska. Signed in 1950, he was playing major league ball the next year at age 25. It was also Mickey Mantle's rookie year with the Yankees. Cerv was up with the Yankees each year from 1951 to 1956, but never appeared in more than 56 games. He hit .341 in 1955 and .304 in 1956.
He pinch-hit a home run in the 5th game of the 1955 World Series. In the 1956 Series, which the Yankees won, he went 1 for 1.
Purchased by Kansas City, he was to have his best season in 1958, when he hit .305 with 38 home runs and 104 RBI. He was named to the All-Star team and was 4th in the MVP voting.
He was traded back to the Yankees in May of 1960, and hit .357 in the World Series for them against Pittsburgh. He batted lead-off or third in the lineup.
He was briefly an original Los Angeles Angel in 1961, before being traded yet again to the Yankees, in a trade involving Ryne Duren. The Yanks became World Series champs, but Cerv did not appear in post-season play. In 1962, his last season, he played briefly for the Yankees and for Houston in the Colt .45s' first season.
Similarity scores show his contemporary "Moose" Walt Moryn as one of the most similar players.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- AL All-Star (1958)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 2 (1958 & 1959)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1958)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 1 (1958)
- Won two World Series with the New York Yankees (1956 and 1961; he did not play in the 1961 World Series)
