Ferrell Anderson
From BR Bullpen
Ferrell Jack Anderson (Andy)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 200 lb.
- School University of Kansas
- Debut April 16, 1946
- Final Game September 1, 1953
- Born January 9, 1918 in Maple City, KS USA
- Died March 12, 1978 in Joplin, MO USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Catcher Ferrell J. "Andy" Anderson was signed by scout Bill Essick for the New York Yankees in 1939 after spending four years at the University of Kansas, where he was an all conference tackle on the football team. He began playing in his hometown of Joplin, Missouri, in the Class C Western League. He moved frequently in his first year with the Yankee organization and was finally sold to the Montreal Royales in the winter of 1942. Because he was classified 1A in the draft he was not allowed to leave the country to go to Canada and was instead he was assigned to the Durham Bulls in the Class B Piedmont League. Only about two months into the season he went in the Army. He was stationed at Fort Bragg, NC and Fort Sill, OK, with the 1864th AST Field Artillery School and played baseball. He was a S/Sgt and also worked in the hospital. In December 1945 he was mustered out of the service and rejoined Montreal. He remained with the Brooklyn Dodgers parent team for the 1946 season and played in 79 games for them. He was then drafted by the Cincinnati Reds and assigned to the St. Paul Saints of the AAA American Association, where he stayed until he went to the St. Louis Cardinals for 18 games in 1953. He then managed for two years with Omaha Cardinals in the Class A Western League and the Columbus Cardinals in the Class A South Atlantic League before quitting baseball in 1955 to go in the insurance business.
Highlights of Anderson’s career included catching six no-hitters, including the only no-hitter thrown in the 1946 NL, by pitcher Ed Head of Brooklyn. Anderson is a member of the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Joplin (MO) Sports Hall of Fame. He played a key role in the formation of Little League baseball in Joplin. Andy purchased land for the first Little League park in Joplin. The park, which opened in 1951, is still home to Little League programs.
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Omaha Cardinals | Western League | 83-68 | 3rd | St. Louis Cardinals | Lost in first round |
| 1955 | Columbus Cardinals | South Atlantic League | 58-81 | 7th | St. Louis Cardinals |
