Enos Slaughter
A southern gentleman outside the lines, Enos Slaughter was a fierce competitor on the ball field. His intensity was often mistaken for brashness, cockiness or hatred. For many years the legend was that Slaughter was behind the racial tension in the Cardinals clubhouse that was directed toward Jackie Robinson. Truth was, Slaughter didn't like anyone on the opposing team when the game was on. Slaughter's habit of running to first when he drew a base on balls was copied by Pete Rose. His hustling style earned him 10 All-Star nods, and he was part of four World Championship teams, twice each in the AL and NL.
| Career Batting Stats |
| G |
AB |
H |
R |
HR |
RBI |
SB |
AVG |
SLG |
OBP |
OPS |
OPS+ |
| 2380 |
7946 |
2383 |
1247 |
169 |
1304 |
71 |
.300 |
.453 |
.382 |
.834 |
117.0 |
|
Quotes From Enos Slaughter
"To be a big league ball player, you have to love the game. This is a pretty good game and a pretty swell way to make a living. The conditions in the majors are fine and the money is good. So I say keep yelling and hustling every minute you're in uniform."
"I learned early on to never walk while I was on the ball field. I ran everywhere I went."
Where does Enos Slaughter rank among baseball greats?
Enos Slaughter ranks #30 among the Top 50 all-time at RF. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1942
Though Slaughter had many seasons of similarity, we'll trust the MVP voters who selected him 2nd in 1942 to teammate Mort Cooper. That would make him the most valuable everyday player in the NL in '42 on the strength of his .318 mark, 100 runs scored, 31 doubles, 17 triples, 13 homers, 98 RBI, 88 walks, and .412 OBP.
This Bat Was Made for Slaughter
In one of their lesser-known vaudeville acts, Abbott & Costello did a bit about Slaughter and Bob Feller. It went something like this:
Abbott: "This is the hat Feller wears."
Costello: Which Feller?"
Abbott: "Why, the Feller that pitches for the Cleveland Indians..."
Costello: "Which Feller are you talkin' about!?"
And so on until ...
Abbott: "This bat was made for Slaughter."
Costello: "Haven't you got one that was made for baseball?"
Abbott: "No, when I say Slaughter, I mean Enos Slaughter! Everyone knows Slaughter. Enos Slaughter."
Costello: "Well maybe he knows Slaughter, but I don't!"
Born
Enos Bradsher Slaughter was born on April 27, 1916, in Roxboro, NC.
Died
August 12, 2002, Durham, NC
Batted: Left
Threw: Right
Major League Debut
4 19,
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1938
Enos Slaughter
Lou Boudreau
Joe Gordon
Sam Chapman
Roy Cullenbine
Preacher Roe
Max Lanier
Mort Cooper
Taffy Wright
Nicknames
Country
Similar Players
Dixie Walker, Pete Rose
Related Players
Stan Musial... Jackie Robinson, whom Slaughter was accused of spiking in a controversial play in the 1950s... Phil Rizzuto (in order to make room for Slaughter on their roster in August 1956, Rizzuto was released by the Yankees)... In 1985, Slaughter was inducted into the Hall of Fame with Lou Brock, Hoyt Wilhelm and Arky Vaughan.
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1966 |
BBWAA |
100 |
33.1% |
1967 |
BBWAA |
123 |
42.1% |
1967 |
Run Off |
48 |
15.7% |
1968 |
BBWAA |
129 |
45.6% |
1969 |
BBWAA |
128 |
37.6% |
1970 |
BBWAA |
133 |
44.3% |
1971 |
BBWAA |
165 |
45.8% |
1972 |
BBWAA |
149 |
37.6% |
1973 |
BBWAA |
145 |
38.2% |
1974 |
BBWAA |
145 |
39.7% |
1975 |
BBWAA |
177 |
48.9% |
1976 |
BBWAA |
197 |
50.8% |
1977 |
BBWAA |
222 |
58.0% |
1978 |
BBWAA |
261 |
68.9% |
1979 |
BBWAA |
297 |
68.8% |
1985 |
Veterans |
|
% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1942 World Series
1946 World Series
1956 World Series
1957 World Series
1958 World Series
Notes
On July 19, 1942, Slaughter's fly ball was dropped by Dodgers' center fielder Pete Reiser as Reiser crashed into the wall. Slaughter circled the bases for a homer, giving the Cards a 7-6 triumph and cutting Brooklyn's lead over St. Louis to three games. The Cards eventually overtook the Dodgers to win the flag.
Injuries and Explanation for Missed Playing Time
On September 22, 1948, Slaughter was struck in the face by a line drive, breaking his nose. He spent a day in a Boston hospital before rejoining the Cardinals in St. Louis.
Hitting Streaks
21 games (1940)
Transactions
On April 11, 1954, to make room for promising rookie outfielder Wally Moon, the Cardinals traded Slaughter to the Yankees. The swap turned out to be a good deal for both teams, the Cardinals getting CF Bill Virdon, P Mel Wright, and OF Emil Tellinger in return. Virdon went on to become the NL Rookie of the Year in 1955, and Slaughter helped the Yankees win 103 games.
All-Star Selections
1941 NL
1942 NL
1946 NL
1947 NL
1948 NL
1949 NL
1950 NL
1951 NL
1952 NL
1953 NL
Learn More about Enos Slaughter
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