Buddy Hancken
From BR Bullpen
Morris Medlock Hancken
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 175 lb.
- School Birmingham-Southern College
- Debut May 14, 1940
- Final Game May 14, 1940
- Born August 30, 1914 in Birmingham, AL USA
- Died February 15, 2007 in Orange, TX USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Catcher Buddy Hancken played in just one major league game, never getting a chance to bat. He had been brought to spring training in 1940 because he had experience catching knuckleballers, one year after playing for the Pacific Coast League Champions Seattle Rainiers in 1939. Unfortunately for him, the Philadelphia Athletics sent their two knuckleball pitchers down to the minors, and Hancken's skills were no longer needed. He was sent down to the Williamsport Grays in 1940 and the Buffalo Bisons in 1941. He then missed the 1942 through 1946 seasons due to voluntary retirement and military service.
Hancken was a player/manager in the minors from 1947 to 1953. He scouted for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1954-1959, the Washington Senators in 1960, Minnesota Twins in 1961, and New York Mets in 1962. He managed in the minors in 1963 and 1966-1967. Hancken was a Houston Astros coach from 1968 to 1972.
He served in the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II (GB).
[edit] Further Reading
- Larry Stone: "Those were the most wonderful days I believe I ever had", in Mark Armour, ed.: Rain Check: Baseball in the Pacific Northwest, Society for American Baseball Research, Cleveland, OH, 2006, p. 105.
