Tom Saffell
From BR Bullpen
Thomas Judson Saffell
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 170 lb.
- School Maryville College
- Debut July 2, 1949
- Final Game September 25, 1955
- Born July 26, 1921 in Etowah, TN USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Tom Saffell played four seasons in the major leagues and then embarked on a long career as a minor league manager and executive. He is the long-time president of the Gulf Coast League.
He was centerfielder for the 1948 Indianapolis Indians, who won 100 games. He hit .299 with 22 stolen bases.
He was a Navy pilot during World War II.
After his playing career, Tom Saffell embarked on a nomadic minor league managing career in which he managed for 4 different organizations (one twice) in 12 seasons over 13 years. In 1960, Saffell led the Reno Silver Sox to the California League title for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was a scout in 1961 and managed the Jacksonville Jets. Moving to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1962, he managed the Grand Forks Chiefs to the best record in the Northern League. Returning to Reno in 1963 (still with the Pirates though), he managed the Silver Sox through 1964. In 1965, Saffell managed the Batavia Pirates. In 1966 and 1967, he was with the GCL Braves, and in 1968, he managed the GCL White Sox. In 1969, Saffell managed the Appleton Foxes to the Midwest League title, and managed the Mobile White Sox in 1970, until being replaced by Larry Shepard. Saffell returned to the Pirates, managing the Monroe Pirates in 1971, and the Gastonia Pirates in 1972, both in the Western Carolinas League. He then worked as a painter, bartender and salesman in Sarasota, FL for several years. Saffell became president of the Gulf Coast League (where he had managed in 1966-1968) in 1980 and has held the job for over 25 years.
