Van Fletcher

From BR Bullpen

Alfred Vanoide Fletcher

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 2", Weight 185 lb.

Debut April 12, 1955
Final Game May 30, 1955
Born August 6, 1924 in East Bend, NC USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Van Fletcher a 24 year old right-hander started out his pro pitching career as a free agent in 1949 with the Elkin Blanketeers of the class D Blue Ridge League. He went 7-6 with a 4.46 ERA and also appeared in 6 games going 0-2 with a .327 ERA for the Tyler Trojans of the class C East Texas League.

It would be 1955 before Fletcher would get a chance in a major league ball park, until this time, pitching with five different clubs in five different leagues. 1950 was his best in this run, going 15-7 with the Elkin Blanketeers with a 3.26 ERA. Although Van did hurl a no-hitter for the Vancouver Capilanos in the 1953 Western International League, shutting down the Yakima Bears 2-0. He closed this year out with a 17-13 and a 3.10 ERA.

The Detroit Tigers acquired Fletcher on August 20, 1954 from the Seattle Rainiers for Earl Harrist and cash. He had been working effectively in relief roles in the Pacific Coast League. The Tigers would bring the right-hander up and he would make nine appearances with no win-loss record in 1955, he would give up four runs in twelve innings for a 3.00 ERA in his only time in the majors. Fletcher recalled making his debut at Yankee Stadium. "I pitched one inning and got them out 1-2-3. I remember the hitters were Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra and Hank Bauer."

Fletcher spent through 1957 in the minors, with about the same success, and decided call it quits at age 32 and 9 seasons in pro baseball. He wound up making 283 appearances, winning 72 and losing 60 with a 4.67 ERA.

At last word, Fletcher who worked as a home builder with his own construction company, is now retired on a 150 acre farm in Boonville, North Carolina.