Clyde Vollmer

Clyde Frederick Vollmer (September 24, 1921 – October 2, 2006) was an American professional baseball player. An outfielder, he played in 685 Major League games for three teams: the Cincinnati Reds, Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox. During the 1951 season with the Red Sox, his hot hitting earned him the nickname "Dutch the Clutch."

Vollmer was born in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a youth, he played for the Bridgetown Baseball league, in Hamilton County, Ohio; Vollmer was a leader on the team that won the Hamilton County Grade School baseball championship in 1935, according to a publication called "News of the Reds" dated May 20, 1947.

Vollmer graduated from Western Hills High School in 1938 and signed as a free agent with the Cincinnati Reds the following year.

Vollmer did not appear for the Reds until May 31, 1942. After playing only 12 games, the 21-year-old joined the Army. He fought in World War II for three years. After his discharge, Vollmer returned to the Reds.

He played in the majors from 1942 through 1954. In 1947 Vollmer married and later had a daughter, Claudia. Vollmer retired from baseball and acquired the Lark Lounge, which he owned for 20 years.

He later was a member of the American Legion, the Fraternal Order of Eagles, Cheviot Aerie No. 2197 and the Delhi Senior Citizens.

Clyde Vollmer died October 2, 2006, at St. Luke Hospital in Florence, Kentucky.^[1]

He is interred at Old St. Joseph's Cemetery in Cincinnati.^[2]

Career highlights

May 31, 1942 – In his first Major League at-bat, Vollmer hit Max Butcher's first pitch out of the park, becoming the fourth player in history to homer on his first pitch.
1947 – Cincinnati Reds opening day starter.
1951 – Vollmer's best year in his career. Playing for the Red Sox, he hit 13 home runs (including two grand slams) and drove in 30 runs in one month. His 85 RBI was second high on the team (trailing Ted Williams' 126). – 1951 stats: .251 average, 22 HRs, in 115 Games.
July 7, 1951 – Vollmer hit a grand slam in first inning against the Yankees. Boston Red Sox- 10, New York Yankees- 4
July 26, 1951 – Vollmer blasts three home runs in a 13 – 10 win over the White Sox
July 28, 1951 – In the 16th inning, Vollmer hit the latest-inning grand slam in Major League Baseball history.
September 1, 1954- last game played.

Transactions

Jan 1,1939 – Signed by Cincinnati Reds.
Sep 27,1948 – Traded by Cincinnati Reds to Washington Senators for Carden Gillenwater.
May 8, 1950 – Traded by Washington Senators to Boston Red Sox for Merl Combs and Tommy O'Brien.
Apr 22,1953 – Purchased by Washington Senators from Boston Red Sox.
Sep 17,1954 – Released by Washington Senators.

Baseball Records

1942- 6th in league in "Youngest player". -20
- May 31- Hit home run in first game, first pitch. (4th ever)
1949- Tied 9th in league in "strikeouts". -62
1950, June 8 – only major league ball player to be at bat eight times in eight innings.
1951 July 28 – In the 16th inning, hit the latest-inning grand slam in major league history.
1952- 4th in league in "Ground into double plays". -20
- 9th in league in "Strike outs". -66
- 8th in league in "Home runs". -22
- 4th in league in "At bat per home runs". -17.5

External links

Clyde Vollmer at Find a Grave

References

Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
Rebecca Goodman, Cincinnati Enquirer staff writer Obituary

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