Bibb Falk
Texan-born Bibb Falk was a .314 career hitter, but he was unable to stay healthy long enough to make that matter much. The left-handed outfielder played as many as 140 games just four times in his 12-year career, spent mostly with the White Sox. He gained more acclaim after his playing career, when he coached the University of Texas for nearly three decades, winning 20 Southwestern Conference titles and two national championships.
Played For
Chicago White Sox (1921-1928)
Cleveland Indians (1929-1931)
Managed
Cleveland Indians (1933)
Best Season: 1926
His .345 batting average was seventh in the AL, and Falk was also in the top ten in games played, hits, total bases, doubles, RBI, and OPS. Not known for his glove, he somehow managed to field .992 (three errors in 155 games), a figure 14 points higher than any other season in his career.
Where He Played
Left field. The last three years of his career, the Tribe used him in both left and right.
As a Manager
Falk managed one game at the big league level, producing a win. He was the second manager during the strange 1933 season when Walter Johnson was forced (or chose to) step down as Cleveland skipper for a while.
Born
Bibb August Falk was born on January 27, 1899, in Austin, TX.
Died
June 8, 1989, Austin, TX
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: CHA
Major League Debut
September 17, 1920 ... Falk debuted just as the scandal involving the Black Sox was coming to light, and while the White Sox battled the Indians for the pennant.
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1920
Pie Traynor
Joe Sewell
Marty McManus
Bob Meusel
Bibb Falk
Eddie Rommel
Zack Taylor
Sammy Hale
Slim Harriss
Nicknames
Jockey
"Jockey" came from his inabilities as a bench-jockey. Bibb was not a nickname, but rather a family name. His given name was Bibb August Falk.
Uniform Numbers
#29 (1931)
Similar Players
John Stone, Curt Walker, Tommy Holmes
Related Players
Joe Jackson
Transactions
February 28, 1929: Traded by the Chicago White Sox to the Cleveland Indians for Chick Autry.
Replaced
Shoeless Joe Jackson
Replaced By
Charlie Jamieson, among others.
Best Strength as a Player
Hitting right-handed pitching.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Hitting left-handed pitching.
Learn More about Bibb Falk
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View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
