Paul Richards

Quotes About Richards
"There were a lot of people smarter than Paul Richards, but they weren't in Baseball." — historian Dick Adams

Played For
Brooklyn Dodgers (1932)
New York Giants (1933-1935)
Philadelphia Athletics (1935)
Detroit Tigers (1943-1946)

Managed
Chicago White Sox (1951-1954)
Baltimore Orioles (1955-1961)
Chicago White Sox (1976)

The Double-Switch
According to research done by SABR member Dave Smith and others, Paul Richards used the double-switch on May 18, 1955. This is (to date) the earliest confirmed use of the strategy.

In the double-switch, a player is entered into the game at the same time as a relief pitcher and the two switch positions in the batting order. The move allows for the pitcher's spot in the order to be reversed and ensures that a position player will bat earlier in the game the next time through the order. As with most strategies in baseball that are often thought to be relatively recent innovations, it's possible the double-switch was utlized prior to Richards.

Most Times Ejected, Manager, All-Time
1. John McGraw... 131
2. Leo Durocher... 124
3. Bobby Cox... 117
4. Earl Weaver... 98
5. Frankie Frisch... 86
6. Paul Richards... 80
7. Tony LaRussa... 73
8. Lou Piniella...71
9. Clark Griffith... 67
10. Bill Dahlen... 65
11. Joe Torre... 64

Source: Doug Pappas and SABR

Where He Played
Catcher

Born
Paul Rapier Richards was born on November 21, 1908, in Waxahachie, TX.

Died
May 4, 1986, Waxahachie, TX

Batted:  Right
Threw:  Right

Primary Position:  C

Primary Team:  DET

Major League Debut
April 17, 1932

Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1932
Joe Medwick
Stan Hack
Arky Vaughan
Frankie Crosetti
Rip Sewell
Johnny Murphy
Johnny Allen
Monte Pearson
Debs Garms

Post-Season Appearances
1945 World Series

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