The Baseball Guru OMI: FORGOTTEN PLAYERS: Bib Falk by Herb Rogoff

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FORGOTTEN PLAYERS:PART ONE

          BIB FALK

WHEN BIB FALK  BROKE INTO THE BIG LEAGUES IN 1920 HE DID IT WITH A BIG BANG. At the age of 21 he went into play leftfield for the Chicago White Sox. No big problem with that……well maybe there was a problem with it….he was replacing a man by the name of Joe Jackson. Otherwise known as “SHOELESS” Joe Jackson to be more precise.

When Jackson left Chicago carrying the mantle of scandal with him Bib Falk was given the unenviable task of replacing him. With diminished talent (not too many people could match Jackson’s incredible ability) Falk gave the Sox quality service for the nine years he spent with them. While there he had a .315 BA which included three years of .300 plus seasons.

The man had excelled at the University of Texas in both baseball (as a pitcher) and in football as a tackle who was good enough to make all conference. In three years as a pitcher he never knew defeat. When he came up to the majors he entered as a hitter and although he was no Shoeless Joe (who was?), he ended up as a fine batter.

After he was traded for a catcher by the name of Chick Autry, he still kept up the fine hitting He put up three more .300 seasons and in his last few years he developed into a potent and dangerous hitter.

After his career was over he became an Air Force Sergeant during World War Two. After his return he went back to Texas to coach baseball. A very intelligent, funny man, He brought a sharp knowledge of the game to his Alma-Mater and ended up with a 468-176 won and lost record. He succeeded in winning several Conferences titles including two National Titles.

His lifetime record in the Major Leagues includes 1,354 games, a .314 batting average, 69 homeruns, and 78 runs batted in.  

 

    

 

 

  

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