Don Buddin

Don Buddin
Don Buddin
Runs batted in	225
Teams
	Boston Red Sox (1956, 1958–61); Houston Colt .45s (1962); Detroit Tigers (1962);

Donald Thomas Buddin (May 5, 1934 – June 30, 2011) was an

right-handed. He was born in Turbeville, South Carolina.^[1]

Early life

Buddin played high school baseball in Olanta, South Carolina, where he led his team to the state championship in 1953. Buddin led The American Legion Baseball Olanta, Sc Post 85 to the State Championship game in 1951^[2] He was a highly touted prospect, and the Boston Red Sox won a bidding war for his services.^[2] He was signed by Red Sox scout Mace Brown for an estimated $50,000 bonus.^[2] At the time, Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey boasted that "Buddin can become one of the top ballplayers of his time".^[2] He attended nearby Wofford College for two years and joined the Red Sox prior to the 1956 season.

Major League career

He became the Red Sox starting shortstop from 1956 through 1961, with the exception of the 1957 season, which he spent in military service.

integrate their roster

.

Buddin's most productive season came in 1961, when he

Eddie Bressoud.^[1]

Buddin was the starting shortstop in Houston's first official

at bats but played errorless ball in the field and turned a double play. On June 11, he hit the first grand slam in Houston franchise history against Joe Moeller of the Los Angeles Dodgers. But he batted only .163 in 40 games, and Bob Lillis supplanted him as the Colt .45s regular shortstop. On July 20, Buddin's contract was waived to the Tigers, where he played out his final year in the Majors as a backup to Chico Fernández.^[1]

In a six-season MLB career, Buddin posted a .241 batting average with 551 hits and 41

minor league seasons between 1952 and 1965, most prominently in the International League and the Pacific Coast League circuits.^[4]