Archie Yelle
Archie Yelle | |
---|---|
Catcher | |
Born: Saginaw, Michigan, U.S. | June 11, 1892|
Died: May 2, 1983 Woodland, California, U.S. | (aged 90)|
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
May 12, 1917, for the Detroit Tigers | |
Last MLB appearance | |
July 10, 1919, for the Detroit Tigers | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .161 |
Home runs | 0 |
RBI | 7 |
Teams | |
|
Archie Joseph Yelle (June 11, 1892 – May 2, 1983) was an American
Early years
Yelle was born in Saginaw, Michigan, in 1892.[1] He played three sports at Saginaw High School.[2]
Professional baseball
Minor leagues
Yelle began his career in organized baseball in 1911 with the
Detroit Tigers
Yelle played for the Detroit Tigers of the American League from 1917 to 1919.[1] According to one published account of questionable accuracy, Yelle signed with the Tigers after claiming he could strike out Ty Cobb on three pitches. He was given a tryout with the Tigers, and on the three pitches he had claimed he would need to strike out Cobb, Cobb hit three home runs.[2] In fact, Yelle was drafted by the Tigers in September 1914.[4]
Yelle appeared in 25 games in 1917, 13 as a starter, and compiled a .137 batting average and a .214 on-base percentage. The following year, he appeared in 56 games, 43 as the Tigers' starting catcher, and compiled a .174 batting average and a .227 on-base percentage. In 1919, he appeared in only six games for the Tigers and failed to hit in five at bats. He appeared in his last major league game on July 20, 1919.[1]
Minor leagues
After being released by the Tigers, Yelle played for the
In 1921, Yelle compiled a career high .293 batting average in 113 games for the Seals.[3] In 1922, he appeared in 108 games, compiled a .254 batting average, and helped lead the Seals win the PCL championship with a 127–72 record.[3][5] In 1925, the Seals were 128–71, winning another PCL title. That year, Yelle hit .267 in 101 games and was chosen by The Sporting News as the catcher for the PCL All Star Team.[6]
On October 6, 1926, the Seals sold Yelle to the Portland Beavers of the PCL.[7] Yelle appeared in 111 games for Portland in 1927 and compiled a .260 batting average.[3]
After leaving the PCL, Yelle continued to play for several more years for the
In 17 seasons in the minor leagues, Yelle appeared in 1,449 games, 1,305 of them as a catcher.[3]
Later years
After his baseball career ended, Yelle worked as a police officer and later police chief in Woodland, California, from 1935 to 1965. He later worked as a prison guard.[2] Yelle died in Woodland in 1983 at age 90.[1] He was buried at Monument Hill Memorial Park in Woodland.[8] Yelle was posthumously inducted into the Saginaw County Sports Hall of Fame in 2013.[2]
References
- ^ a b c d "Archie Yelle". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ Mlive.com.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Archie Yelle Minor League Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Teams: 44. 1922 San Francisco Seals". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ "Top 100 Teams: 10. 1925 San Francisco Seals". Minor League Baseball. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
- ^ Baseball Necrology
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- NWSABR – 1927 photo
- Archie Yelle at Find a Grave