Tommy McCraw

Tommy Lee McCraw

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 0", Weight 183 lb.
• School Santa Monica College
• High School Venice (CA) High School
• Debut June 4, 1963
• Final Game June 24, 1975
• Born November 21, 1940 in Malvern, AR USA

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Biographical Information

Tommy McCraw played thirteen years in the American League during the second deadball era, when batting averages were unusually low. Tommy played first base and outfield, and also pinch-hit a lot. Eight of his thirteen years were with the Chicago White Sox, managed for the most part by Al Lopez and Eddie Stanky. In his best year with the bat, Tommy hit .294 with a .442 SLG in 1974. On March 24, 1967, he had a three-homer game in a 14-1 win against the Minnesota Twins; his 11 homers that year were a career high.

He was the player who made the last offensive play for the Washington Senators franchise. That came in the bottom of the 8th inning on September 30, 1971; he was caught stealing at second for the third out with Toby Harrah at the plate. Washington led 7-5 at the time, but the New York Yankees were awarded the victory by forfeit when fans invaded the field with two outs in the top of the 9th. On April 6, 1973, he became the first DH in the history of the California Angels, starting at the position on Opening Day against the Kansas City Royals; he went 1 for 4. It was one of only 9 games at DH for him that year.

After his playing career, he was a batting coach for six major league teams, often under manager Frank Robinson, who had been his teammate with the Angels in 1973 and 1974, and with the Cleveland Indians in 1974 and 1975.

Tommy attended Santa Monica College. Another player with a similar last name, Rodney McCray, also went to the same college and later played for the White Sox.