Bobo Newsom

From BR Bullpen

Louis Norman Newsom (Buck)

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 2", Weight 220 lb.

Debut September 11, 1929
Final Game September 17, 1953
Born August 11, 1907 in Hartsville, SC USA
Died December 7, 1962 in Orlando, FL USA

[edit] Biographical Information

"When the president comes to see Bobo pitch, Ol' Bobo ain't a-gonna disappoint him." - Bobo Newsom, explaining why he stayed in a game Franklin Roosevelt had come to see, in spite of Newsom suffering a fractured jaw from a throw during the game

Bobo Newsom, a colorful character, pitched 20 years in the majors. He referred to himself in the third person, and was often quoted saying humorous things.

Bobo came to the majors after six years in the minors, and then stayed for a long career. He moved around a whole lot, making 17 stops in the big leagues. He was with the Washington Senators five times. After departing the majors following the 1948 season, Newsom spent three more years in the Southern Association before returning to the big leagues in 1952-53. All told his professional baseball career spanned 26 seasons, in which he won 211 games and lost 222 in the majors, and went 139-105 in the minors, totaling 951 professional games and 5,826 innings.

" . . . whenever Bobo asked for more dough . . . Bobo always got it." - Newsom, talking about his relations with Clark Griffith of the Senators

He was in the 1940 and 1947 World Series, winning a couple games, and was a four-time All-Star. His most notable regular season performance was in 1940, when he was 21-5. In 1938, he won 20 games in spite of a 5.08 ERA, the highest ever for a 20-game winner; he was named to the All Star team and finished 5th in the MVP voting that year.