Bobby Doerr

2nd Baseman

Class of 1986

Bobby Doerr

2nd Baseman

Class of 1986
Bobby Doerr drove in 100-or-more runs six times and led AL in fielding percentage among second basemen four times.

Games

Birth year

About Bobby Doerr

“Bobby Doerr was an absolutely outstanding player. He was an exceptional second baseman, he rarely booted ground balls, he was a good clutch hitter and a good all-around hitter who could bat third, fourth or fifth in a lineup of good hitters. We never had a captain, but he was the silent captain of the team.” – Ted Williams

Bobby Doerr was the second baseman for the Boston Red Sox from 1937-1951. He and teammate Ted Williams were both scouted on the same trip by Eddie Collins from the 1936 San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League.

Named to nine All-Star Games, Doerr was steady, consistent, and showed leadership on and off the field. Defensively, he led the AL in fielding percentage four times and in double plays five times. He once held the AL record for most consecutive chances at second base without an error: 414.

“I never saw him misplay a ball, and he had the best backhand of any second baseman I ever saw,” said Red Sox teammate Johnny Pesky.

Offensively, Doerr hit .288 for his career, with 2,042 hits, 381 doubles, 89 triples, and 223 home runs, which at the time of his retirement, was the third highest total ever amassed by a second baseman. He racked up 1,094 runs scored and 1,247 runs batted in.

He missed the 1945 season in order to serve in the military, but returned to lead the team to the 1946 pennant with 18 home runs and 116 runs batted in. He hit .409 and drove in three runs in the World Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals.

He retired in his early 30s due to back problems. He scouted for the Red Sox from 1957-66, and coached there from 1967-69. He served as the hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1977-81. In 1969, Red Sox fans voted him the team’s all-time best second baseman.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1986.

An all around gentleman with a great reputation in the game, New York Yankees rival Tommy Henrich said: “Bobby Doerr is one of the very few who played the game hard and retired with no enemies.”

Doerr passed away on Nov. 13, 2017.

The Basics

Year inducted
1986
Birth Place
Los Angeles, California
Birth Year
1918
Died
2017, Junction City Oregon

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
Boston Red Sox
Primary Position
2nd Baseman
Played For
Boston Red Sox, 1937-1944
Boston Red Sox, 1946-1951

Career MLB Stats

Games
1,865
At bats
7,093
Hits
2,042
Walks
809
Runs
1,094
Doubles
381
Triples
89
Home Runs
223
RBI
1,247
Stolen Bases
54
Batting Average
.288
Ops
.823
On Base %
.362
Slugging %
.461

Bobby Doerr Stories

Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.

Bobby Doerr reflects on a life in baseball

Bobby Doerr Becomes Oldest Hall of Famer

Hall of Fame second baseman Bobby Doerr remembered for consistency, durability

Doerr, Lombardi highlighted Class of 1986