Jimmy Piersall
| Birthdate | 11/4/1929 |
| Death Date | 6/3/2017 |
| Debut Year | 1950 |
| Year of Induction | |
| Teams | Angels, Indians, Mets, Red Sox, Senators |
| Positions | Announcer, Center Field |
Two-time All Star center fielder Jimmy Piersall earned a pair of Gold Gloves and tallied 1,604 career hits despite battling bipolar disorder.
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Jimmy Piersall enjoyed a lifetime in baseball despite battling bipolar disorder
Jimmy Piersall enjoyed a lifetime in baseball despite battling bipolar disorder
Jimmy Piersall wasn’t old enough to buy a drink when he made his big league debut in 1950. An outstanding athlete, he played until six months before his 38th birthday.
Piersall’s Major League playing career included a pair All Star appearances, and two Gold Glove Awards. His eight years in Boston resulted in his induction into the Red Sox team Hall of Fame in 2010.
The centerfielder accomplished this despite battling bipolar disorder throughout his life. Issues on the field began to manifest on May 24, 1952 before a game against the New York Yankees.
The previous day Piersall sat on the Red Sox bench and verbally jabbed at Yankee second baseman Billy Martin throughout the game.
Before the teams squared off on the 24th, the two men began jawing at each other on the field. Martin challenged Piersall to meet him under the stands.
The two players made their way to the tunnel out of the sight of the fans. As they confronted each other ready to fight, Piersall asked Sox pitcher Ellis Kinder to hold his hat. Martin seized the opportunity to sucker punch Piersall twice in the face.
Piersall grabbed Martin and the two began to wrestle. With the help of others, Yankee coach Bill Dickey soon broke up the brawl. Minutes later Piersall scuffled with teammate Mickey McDermott.
Other incidents followed. During one contest, Piersall spanked the four-year old son of teammate Vern Stephens in the Sox clubhouse during a game. Soon Piersall was sent to the minors.
His bizarre behavior continued, culminating with his admission to the Westborough State Hospital in Massachusetts. He was diagnosed with “nervous exhaustion”, spent the next two months at the facility, and missed the remainder of the season.
For the rest of his career, Piersall battled mental health issues and odd behavior. Perhaps his most memorable decision came when he hit his 100th career homer. Piersall touched each base in the correct order but ran his home run trot facing backwards.
Despite his personal demons, Piersall played 20 seasons in professional baseball. After retiring as a player, Piersall spent much of the rest of his life in the game, first as an announcer and later as a coach. He was also the subject of the 1957 film Fear Strikes Out.
In the collection is this government postcard signed by Piersall in 1952.
Jimmy Piersall dropped this in the mail four days after his 1952 brawl with Billy Martin
Jimmy Piersall dropped this in the mail four days after his 1952 brawl with Billy Martin
The May 28, 1952 Boston postmark provides interesting context. Dated just four days after his memorable fight with Billy Martin, the card was signed when Piersall was 21 years old. One can only image all the uncertainty immediately ahead for the young Piersall.
Though Piersall autographs are by no means rare, vintage examples such as these are highly desired.
Jimmy Piersall finished hit 17-year big league career with 1,604 hits, 256 doubles, 104 homers, a 29.4 WAR, and a .272 lifetime average. A two-time Gold Glove center fielder, Piersall finished in the league’s top-10 for in defensive WAR eight times in nine seasons from 1953-1961.
Jimmy Piersall was inducted into the Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame in 2013
Jimmy Piersall was inducted into the Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame in 2013
Among the many accolades Jimmy Piersall earned is induction into the Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame in 2013. He was one of four who earned the distinction that year. The others included Bert Campaneris, Curt Bloom, and Ben Cook.
The Barons Hall describes Jimmy on its website, “Piersall played outfield for the Barons in 1951-1952 and hit a combined .345 with 16 home runs. He batted .346 in 1951 and tallied 15 home runs, 30 doubles, and 12 triples in 121 games. Piersall enjoyed a 17-year MLB career, made two All-Star teams and won two Gold Glove Awards. After retirement, Piersall launched his broadcast career in 1974 and served as the voice of the White Sox from 1977-1981.”
Shown here is a correspondence on ornate Birmingham letterhead. Dated July 6, 1950, it is signed by Eddie Glennon, Birmingham Barons Hall of Fame class of 2010. The letter is to George Trautman, the president of the National Association.
Glennon writes of the recall of Dick Littlefield for his big league debut. Littlefield is best remembered as the pitcher the Giants traded to the Dodgers for Jackie Robinson on December 13, 1956. Rather than report to his rival team, Robinson retired from the game.
