Richie Scheinblum

From BR Bullpen

Richard Alan Scheinblum

Bats Both, Throws Right
Height 6' 1", Weight 180 lb.
School Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus
Debut September 1, 1965
Final Game September 21, 1974
Born November 5, 1942 in New York, NY USA

[edit] Biographical Information

In 1972, Richie Scheinblum became the only Jewish switch-hitter (and 7th switch-hitter total) to bat .300 during a full season. It was Scheinblum's sole season as a regular in the majors. He led the AL in pinch-hit appearances (54) in 1969.

In college at Long Island University, C.W. Post Campus, Scheinblum had participated in 9 track events, basketball and baseball, making him the first 10-letter man in his school's history. In 1966-1967, he led the Nicaraguan League in batting average (.331).

Scheinblum was a minor-league stand-out in 1970 and 1971 in the American Association. In 1970, playing for the Wichita Aeros he led the AA in RBI (84), runs (79), hits and total bases while batting .337 with 24 homers. In 1971, now with the Denver Bears, Scheinblum was named MVP of the AA when he hit .388 with 25 HR and 108 RBI. He again led the league in RBI and total bases and also led in batting average, doubles and triples. His average was the highest in 20 years (since Harry Walker had hit .393 in 1951) and would not be matched in the remaining 26 years of the AA's existence.

He was an American League All-Star in his only season as a regular for the 1972 Kansas City Royals. A high-average line-drive hitter with only moderate power, little speed (he never stole a base in the majors) and very poor fielding skills, he should have been one of the players benefitting from the introduction of the designated hitter for the 1973 AL season. Unfortunately for him, the Royals had traded him to the National League's Cincinnati Reds in the off-season. He lingered on the Reds's bench until traded to the California Angels on June 15, but his new team's DH slot was already filled by future Hall of Famer Frank Robinson. He did hit .328 as the Angels' regular left-fielder over the season's second half however. He started the 1974 season in a slump and was traded back to the Royals after a month of hitting .154. Things did not improve in his second go-round in Kansas City, as he was hitting .181 in 36 games when he was sold to the St. Louis Cardinals in early August. He finished the year and his major league career by going 2 for 6 for the Cardinals.

After his major league career ended, he played two years in Japan for the Hiroshima Carp, hitting .295/.349/.468. He also became the first player to homer from both sides of the plate during a game in the history of Nippon Pro Baseball. In 1976 he severed his Achilles tendon, ending his career.

After retirement, he opened a jewelery store in Atlanta, GA. He's now located in Palm Harbor, Florida.