Fred Valentine
From BR Bullpen
Fred Lee Valentine (Squeaky)
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
- School Tennessee State University
- Debut September 7, 1959
- Final Game September 24, 1968
- Born January 19, 1935 in Clarksdale, MS USA
[edit] Biographical Information
- Fred Valentine and George Altman were the first players out of Tennessee State University to get to the major leagues. They were both drafted in 1956 and both came up in 1959. The two were teammates at Tennesee State in 1954-55, and Altman came up early in 1959 while Fred came up late in the season. Altman played his entire major league career in the National League while Valentine played his entire career in the American League. Both eventually played in Japan.
- 1958 MVP Carolina League Wilson Tobs
- Valentine also played quarterback at Tennesee State and was an All American. He had four offers from pro baseball teams and three offers from pro football teams, and chose Baltimore as it was the "best" offer. Valentine felt Paul Richards, the manager, was a great thinker, and Richards was a key reason why Valentine went with the Orioles.
- A 2002 interview with Valentine can be found here: http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/index.cfm?section=7&screen=newsprint&news_id=14706
