Earl Battey
Earl Battey became a starting catcher at age 25 in 1960, and for the
next four seasons he led all American League catchers in assists. Battey had a
strong and accurate throwing arm, and hated it when runners took long leads. In
1963, he picked 13 men off first and third bases.
Not only did his trade from the White Sox into owner Calvin
Griffith's organization become a key to the Twins' 1965 American League
pennant, the Los Angeles native quickly settled into life in the cold Minnesota
climate and became a year-round resident of the Twin Cities after Griffith
relocated his club to Minnesota in 1961. Battey had a radio show in Washington
D.C., and a job with a liquor distributor, but he adjusted to the shift to the
Midwest and worked in public relations for General Mills during off-seasons.
Battey was one of the first players to use an ear-flap on his batting helmet
to protect his face. Battey twice suffered broken cheekbones when hit by
pitches, so he began wearing the special batting helmet in 1962. Today, all
players wear such helmets.
Beanings and mangled fingers - the latter being part of life as a catcher -
were not the only things that nagged him during his career. Battey had health
issues involving his thyroid, which contributed to weight problems.
Athletic heavyweights
But he was an athlete, and was known for enduring. Earl Battey had
interesting athletic touchpoints in his life. He was a good friend of his
brother-in-law, Ed Sanders, who defeated Ingemar Johannson en
route to the 1952 Olympic heavyweight title.
Not only did Jordan High School of Los Angeles produce Battey, it turned out
pro football player Joe Perry, middleweight boxer Spider Webb, 1952
Olympic long jump champion George Brown and two-time Olympic track team
member Earlene Brown.
With such influences in his life, Battey knew how to get in his work. At the
start of the 1960 season, one coach said Battey was the worst catcher in the
American League. Battey kept at it, and after the season the same coach said
Battey was "the best in the league the last three months."
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