Babe Birrer
[edit] Biography
Born on July 4, 1929 in Buffalo, New York, Babe Birrer (Werner Joseph Birrer) played for the Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles and Los Angeles Dodgers over the course of his 3 year career. Birrer broke into the bigs on June 5, 1955 with the Detroit Tigers, and put up a 4.15 ERA in 80.1 innings pitched in 1955, his rookie year.
Upon graduation from High School He started with Tigers organization in 1947 With the Jamestown Tigers PONY League, from there he went to Durham in the Piedmont League in 1948. Then went to Hagerstown in the Bi-state league in 1948-49, from there he went to Toledo Mudhens American Association in 1950, 54. Then sent to Buffalo Bison International League 1952,55. Was in the US Airforce in 1953-54. Was to fight in Korean War, ended up going to Stutgart Germany. Played Baseball against US Army Catcher Jonny Roseboro, and others. Came back and made Major League Debut with Detroit Tigers in 1955, then was released and signed with Baltimore Orioles. Ended up in San Antonio Texas League, roomed with Brooks Robinson, and later that season called upto Baltimore. In 1957 was sent down to Triple A Vancouver, farm club for Baltimore Orioles (Pacific Coast League), released by the Orioles under Mangager Charlie Metro. Signed with Brooklyn Dodgers and played with the Los Angeles Angels in the Pacific Coast League. Made debut with 1958 Los Angeles Dodgers released to the minors in 1958-59 sent to Montreal Royals. Released by Dodger organization. Rejoined The Buffalo Bisons of the International League as a free agent and remained there until retirement in 1966. Member of the Little World Series champs in 1961.
[edit] Statistics
[edit] Pitching Stats
| 1955
| DET
| A
| 36
| 3
| 4
| 3
| 4.15
| 28
| 39
| 37
| 1
| 0
| 3
| 80.1
| 77
| 9
| 29
| 4
| 0
| 0
|
| 1956
| BAL
| A
| 4
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 6.75
| 1
| 5
| 4
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 5.1
| 9
| 0
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
| 1958
| LA
| N
| 16
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 4.50
| 16
| 20
| 17
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 34
| 43
| 4
| 7
| 3
| 1
| 1
|
| Total
| NL
|
| 16
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 4.50
| 16
| 20
| 17
| 0
| 0
| 1
| 34
| 43
| 4
| 7
| 3
| 1
| 1
|
| Total
| AL
|
| 40
| 3
| 4
| 3
| 4.31
| 29
| 44
| 41
| 1
| 0
| 3
| 85.2
| 86
| 9
| 30
| 4
| 0
| 0
|
| Total
|
|
| 56
| 3
| 4
| 3
| 4.36
| 45
| 64
| 58
| 1
| 0
| 4
| 119.2
| 129
| 13
| 37
| 7
| 1
| 1
|
[edit] Fielding Stats
| 1955
| DET
| A
| P
| 36
| 0
| 0
| 8
| 8
| 0
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1.000
|
| 1956
| BAL
| A
| P
| 4
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| .000
|
| 1958
| LA
| N
| P
| 16
| 0
| 34
| 0
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1.000
|
| Total
|
|
| P
| 56
| 0
| 34
| 8
| 9
| 0
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1.000
|
[edit] Batting Stats
| 1955
| DET
| A
| 36
| 19
| 3
| 3
| 2
| 6
| .158
| .238
| .526
| 1
| 0
| 2
| 4
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
|
| 1956
| BAL
| A
| 4
| 1
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| .000
| .000
| .000
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
| 1958
| LA
| N
| 16
| 7
| 0
| 4
| 0
| 0
| .571
| .625
| .714
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
| Total
| NL
|
| 16
| 7
| 0
| 4
| 0
| 0
| .571
| .625
| .714
| 1
| 0
| 1
| 2
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
|
| Total
| AL
|
| 40
| 20
| 3
| 3
| 2
| 6
| .150
| .227
| .500
| 1
| 0
| 2
| 4
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
|
| Total
|
|
| 56
| 27
| 3
| 7
| 2
| 6
| .259
| .333
| .556
| 2
| 0
| 3
| 6
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 0
| 1
|
[edit] Transactions
- Signed as an amateur free agent by Detroit Tigers (1947).
- Claimed on waivers by Baltimore Orioles from Detroit Tigers (April 5, 1956).
- Sold by Baltimore Orioles to Brooklyn Dodgers (June 15, 1957).
[edit] Trivia
- Gave up one of Mickey Mantle's longest homeruns over 500 feet.
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