Fred Van Dusen
From BR Bullpen
Frederick William Van Dusen
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 3", Weight 180 lb.
- Debut September 11, 1955
- Final Game September 11, 1955
- Born July 31, 1937 in Jackson Heights, NY USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Fred Van Dusen was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies to an amateur free agent Bonus Baby contract in 1955 and being born on July 31, 1937 became the youngest player to perform in the National League in 1955. Fred, who became a one game big leaguer, is also one of five players in big league history to be hit by a pitch in what would be their only plate appearance in the majors. The others are: Ham Wade (1907), Charlie Faust (1911), Harvey Grubb (1912), and Cy Malis (1934).
Frederick William Van Dusen, a name which would seem a better fit in the society pages, made it into a major league box score for the only time on September 11, 1955. Fred, an-18-year old left-hand hitting outfielder from Jackson Heights, NY, would continue to play in the minor leagues through 1961, never getting another chance at the show.
The Bonus Baby would remain in the Philadelphia Phillies Chain through-out the rest of his career, playing with the the Wilson Tobs of the class B Carolina League in 1956 where the 18 year old hit at a .252 clip with 11 home runs while playing in 140 games. Fred would crack the .300 barrier only one time in his six year minor league run and that would come in 1957, again in the Carolina League, this time with the High Point-Thomasville Hi-Toms when he hit at a .310 clip, busted 25 round-trippers and was chosen the league's Most Valuable Player.
Van Dusen had two more seasons where he hit the double diget figure in home runs, hitting 14 in 1959 for the Williamsport Grays of the class A Eastern League and in a split season in 1960 with the Asheville Tourists of the South Atlantic League and the AAA Indianapolis Indians of the American Association he hit for the circuit 24 times with 67 RBIs. Fred would finish up his pro baseball career in 1961 with the Chattanooga Lookouts of the Southern Association at the tender age of 23 with a career .260 hitting average and 86 home runs while appearing in 650 outings.
Van Dusen later entered the investment and insurance business in New York City and as of last notice (1999) was residing in Stamford, CT.
[edit] Sources
