Dick Bartell

From BR Bullpen

Richard William Bartell (Rowdy Richard or Shortwave)

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 9", Weight 160 lb.

Debut October 2, 1927
Final Game May 24, 1946
Born November 22, 1907 in Chicago, IL USA
Died August 4, 1995 in Alameda, CA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Knowing for a fiery playing style earned him the nickname "Rowdy Richard", shortstop Dick Bartell played eighteen seasons in the majors with five different teams. He began his big league career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and was a starter for the club in 1929 and 1930. He spent the next four years with the Philadelphia Phillies and was the starting National League shortstop in the first All-Star Game in 1933.

After the 1934 campaign, Bartell was traded to the New York Giants, with whom he had some of his greatest seasons. In the 1936 World Series, he hit .381 for the club as the Giants lost to the Yankees. The next year, he hit .306 and was an All-Star for the second time in his career.

After stints with the Chicago Cubs and Detroit Tigers and another run with the Giants, Bartell entered the Navy in April 1944. He was discharged December 1945 and returned to the Giants in 1946, appearing in a pair of games and serving as a coach. He later went on to serve on the Tigers staff from 1949 to 1952 and was a Cincinnati Reds coach from 1954 and 1955. He also spent time as a minor league manager.

Bartell died of Alzheimer's disease at age 87.