Sammy West
Samuel Filmore West (born October 5, 1904 in Longview, Texas; died November 23, 1985 in Lubbock, Texas) was a left-handed center fielder for the Washington Senators, St Louis Browns and Chicago White Sox between 1927 and 1942. Before entering the majors he played two seasons with the Birmingham Barons, setting a team record with 6 hits in a game against the Chattanooga Lookouts on April 13, 1926.
West made 24 appearances with the 1925 Birmingham Barons after being called up from the Monroe Drillers of the Cotton States League. In 88 at bats he had 30 hits with 5 doubles and a triple for a .341 average. He also recorded 54 put-outs and 5 assists with only 1 error for a .983 fielding percentage. In 1926, West appeared in 84 games and had 116 hits in 341 at-bats for a .340 batting average. That year he racked up 16 home runs along with 7 triples, and 17 doubles. As a fielder he made 186 put-outs and 7 assists with 12 errors in 205 chances for a .941 percentage.
West's Major League debut with the Senators came on April 17, 1927. He played for them for six years before being traded to the Browns in 1933, and thereby missing a chance to play in the World Series. In 1938 he returned to the Senators roster in a trade for Mel Almada. He was released in 1942 and ended his career with the White Sox. West's best season was 1933 when he averaged .333 at the plate with 25 doubles, 12 triples, 11 home runs and 10 stolen bases. He represented the American League in the first All-Star Game that year, and returned to the 1934, 1936 and 1937 All-Star rosters.
As a fielder, West led the American league twice in putouts from the outfield, three times in double plays, and once in assists. He was a four-time nominee to the American League MVP award. In 1753 appearances over 16 seasons, West had 1838 hits in 6148 at-bats (.299 average) and racked up 838 runs batted with 75 home runs, 101 triples, 347 doubles and 934 runs scored. He also stole 53 bases.
West left baseball to serve in the U. S. Army during World War II. He was still under contract with the White Sox until June 1945, but did not play again. After his discharge he was hired as a coach with the Senators. He died in Texas in 1985 and is buried at the Resthaven Memorial Park in Lubbock.
References
- "Sam West" (April 9, 2012) Wikipedia- accessed April 13, 2012