Tom Umphlett
From BR Bullpen
Thomas Mullen Umphlett
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 180 lb.
- Debut April 16, 1953
- Final Game September 24, 1955
- Born May 12, 1930 in Scotland Neck, NC USA
Tommy Umphlett played major league ball from 1953 to 1955 with the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators. Pretty much a career minor leaguer (15 years), for the last 12 years of his professional career(the last four in AA), he struggled unsuccessfully to make it back to the majors before retiring in 1967.
At 6'2", 180 pounds, Umphlett - a righthander - was originally signed by the Red Sox in 1950. He made his big league debut on April 16, 1953 at the age of 22 and wearing the number 38. He hit .283 in his rookie season, displaying a great eye at the plate, averaging one strikeout every 16.5 at-bats. He was #2 in Rookie of the Year voting in '53, but was soon dispatched to the lowly Senators.
A classic example of the so-called "Sophomore Jinx", his career rapidly declined after his promising rookie season. Hitting only .219 and .217 in his next two seasons, he'd end up hitting only .246 with six home runs in 360 career games (1,160 at-bats) in his brief M.L. career. He averaged one strikeout every 10.8 at-bats in his career. Never much of a threat on the basepaths, he stole seven career bases during his brief M.L. career. He had a .986 career fielding percentage.
He played his final Major League game on September 24, 1955. In 1954, he wore number 4. In 1955, he wore 22.
According to Baseball-Reference, the player he is most similar to statistically is Art Kruger. He spent three of his seasons with Mickey McDermott -- longer than any other teammate.
At last check, he lived in Ahoskie, NC.
[edit] Major transactions
- On December 9, 1953, he was traded by the Boston Red Sox with Mickey McDermott to the Washington Senators for Jackie Jensen.
- On November 8, 1955, he was traded by the Washington Senators with Bob Porterfield, Johnny Schmitz, and Mickey Vernon to the Boston Red Sox for Karl Olson, Dick Brodowski, Tex Clevenger, Neil Chrisley, and Al Curtis (a minor leaguer).
- On June 12, 1962, he was traded by the Boston Red Sox with cash to the New York Yankees for Billy Gardner.
- In 1950 with the Marion Red Sox, he hit .319 in 94 games.
- Managed the Auburn Twins in 1967 and the Appleton Foxes in part of 1968. In the other part of 1968, he managed the Wisconsin Rapids Twins. He piloted the 1969 Red Springs Twins. He also managed the Lynchburg Twins in part of the 1970 season.
- Almost the classic example of what was once commonly referred to as the sophomore jinx. Had an outstanding rookie season for Boston in 1953 and disappeared from the majors two years later.
