Brick Eldred Explained

Brick Eldred
Bats:Right
Throws:Right
Position:Outfielder
Birth Date:26 July 1892
Birth Place:Sacramento, California, US
Death Place:Sacramento, California, US
Teams:
Hoflink:Pacific Coast League Hall of Fame
Hoftype:Pacific Coast League
Hofdate:2003

Ross C. "Brick" Eldred (July 26, 1892 – December 22, 1976) was an American professional baseball outfielder. He played for the Salt Lake City Bees, the Sacramento Senators, and the Seattle Indians of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) from 1916 to 1930. He is a member of the PCL Hall of Fame.

Early life and career

Eldred was born in Sacramento, California, on July 26, 1892. He graduated from Sacramento High School in 1910.[1] When he was fully grown, Eldred stood 5feet tall and weighed approximately, earning him the nickname "Brick".

Professional career

Early career

After playing semi-professional baseball, Eldred signed with the Salt Lake City Bees of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) after the 1915 season.[2] He made the team for the 1916 season as a utility player.[3] With Salt Lake City unable to get Eldred playing time,[4] they traded him to the Seattle Giants of the Northwestern League in June.[5] Eldred had a .332 batting average for Seattle in 1932.[6]

The Giants sold Eldred to the Chicago White Sox of the American League.[7] In 1917, Eldred reported to spring training with the White Sox and competed to become the starting right fielder against Nemo Leibold, Eddie Murphy, Jack Fournier, and Shano Collins.[8] The White Sox optioned Eldred to the Newark Bears of the International League.[9] However, Danny Shay, the manager of the Milwaukee Brewers of the American Association, claimed that he had bought Eldred from Seattle, and appealed to the National Baseball Commission.[10] The Commission awarded Eldred to Newark.[11] He batted .269 with Newark during the 1917 season,[12] and the White Sox recalled him in August.[13] He did not play for the White Sox, and Eldred got into a salary dispute with the team after they declined to pay him for the final month of the season. Eldred petitioned Garry Herrmann, the head of the National Commission, to gain his release from the White Sox organization.[14]

Sacramento and Seattle

The Sacramento Senators of the PCL purchased Eldred from the White Sox for $750 ($ in current dollar terms) before the 1918 season.[15] [16] He batted .264 for Sacramento in 1918[17] and batted .311 in 1919.[18] In May 1920, Bill Rodgers, the manager of the Senators, fined Eldred $25 ($ in current dollar terms) for using disrespectful language towards him and another $25 for not hustling on the field. Eldred refused to play in the next game and Rodgers suspended him indefinitely. Rodgers also accused Eldred of being out of shape.[19] A few days later, the Senators sold Eldred to the Seattle Indians of the PCL for $3,500 ($ in current dollar terms).[20] [21] The Indians also raised Eldred's salary and paid the $50 fine.[22]

Eldred recorded over 200 hits in five seasons between 1920 and 1925. He had 231 hits in 1920 and batted .339, the third-best average in the PCL.[23] His average dropped to .319 in 1921, and the team cut his salary by $75 per month ($ in current dollar terms).[24] Eldred batted .354 in 1922, the third-best in the league, with 260 hits.[25] He batted .353 with 262 hits during the 1923 season.[26] In 1924, Eldred batted .351 with 240 hits[27] and led the league with 71 doubles.[28] He had 242 hits for the 1925 season.

Later career

The Indians acquired Fuzzy Hufft in 1926, which led to a reduction in Eldred's playing time.[29] [30] Eldred had been the cleanup hitter for Seattle, but they moved him out of the role in 1926, replacing him with Monk Sherlock.[31] He batted .340 in 1926 and .325 in 1927.[32] Eldred returned to Seattle for the 1928 season as a bench player.[33] At the end of April, Seattle sold him to the Wichita Falls Spudders of the Class A Texas League[34] for $5,000 ($ in current dollar terms) after he had cleared waivers in the PCL.[35] He batted .356 in 91 games for Wichita Falls in 1928.[36]

Eldred became a bench player for Wichita Falls in 1929. He was sold to the Milwaukee Brewers of the Class AA American Association in July following the acquisition of Larry Bettencourt.[37] Milwaukee released Eldred before the 1930 season.[38] In May 1930, the Senators released Wally Hood and signed Eldred.[39] In 79 games,[40] Eldred batted .369.[41] The Senators released Eldred before the 1931 season.[42]

In his career, Eldred played in 1,709 PCL games, finishing with a .332 batting average, 2,034 hits, 516 doubles, and 219 stolen bases.[43]

Personal life

Eldred and his wife, Myrtle, married in 1914. They had a son, Richard. After he retired from baseball, he worked for the California Almond Growers Exchange.[1]

Eldred died in Sacramento on December 22, 1976.[1] [44] He was inducted into the PCL Hall of Fame in 2003.[43]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: O'Connor, Alan . Gold on the Diamond: Sacramento's Great Baseball Players, 1886 to 1976 . 2007. 55–57. 9780979123306. Big Tomato Press.
  2. Web site: "Brick" Eldred Is Signed By Salt Lake. 10. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . November 1, 1915 . January 11, 2022.
  3. News: Salt Lake Club Hard After the Highest Honors: Players Determined That Championship Must Be Captured. April 2, 1916. 30. The Salt Lake Herald-Republican. Salt Lake City, Utah. Newspapers.com. January 14, 2022.
  4. Web site: Negotiate to Send Eldred to the Waco Texas League Team. 14. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . May 20, 1916 . January 11, 2022.
  5. Web site: Diamond Dust. 11. Salt Lake Telegram. Newspapers.com . June 4, 1916 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  6. News: Daily Sport Budget. Jack. Veiock. International News Service. 5. Journal Gazette. Newspapers.com . February 21, 1917 . January 11, 2022.
  7. Web site: "Brick" Eldred Sold To The White Sox . The Butte Miner. 8. Newspapers.com . August 8, 1916. January 11, 2022.
  8. Web site: Eldred Has Hard Job Ahead To Break Into Sox Team. John J.. Peri. 10. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . February 24, 1917 . January 11, 2022.
  9. Web site: Brick Eldred Turned Over to Newark Club. 13. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . April 16, 1917 . January 11, 2022.
  10. News: Shay After Brick Eldred . The Oregon Daily Journal. 12. United Press. Newspapers.com . 1917-04-13 . 2022-01-14.
  11. Web site: Ross Eldred Sold To Newark Club . The Tacoma Daily Ledger. 7. Newspapers.com . 1917-04-27 . 2022-01-14.
  12. Web site: Hot Stove League. Damon. Runyon. 16. The San Francisco Examiner. Newspapers.com . December 6, 1917 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  13. Web site: Eldred Recalled By Chicago Sox. 16. Spokane Chronicle. Newspapers.com . August 22, 1917 . January 11, 2022.
  14. Web site: Eldred Minus Month's Pay From White Sox Owner. 10. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . October 20, 1917 . January 11, 2022.
  15. Web site: Senators Get Brick Eldred From Chicago. 6. The Sacramento Star. Newspapers.com . March 14, 1918 . January 11, 2022.
  16. Web site: Fortune Smiles On Rodgers In Filling Ranks Of Senators. Rudy. Hickey. 12. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . March 23, 1918 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  17. Web site: Last Year's Records Show Yippers Strong With Bats. Rudy. Hickey. 10. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . March 1, 1919 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  18. Web site: Harry Wolter Fifth Among Batters In Coast League. 36. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . November 22, 1919 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  19. News: "Brick" Eldred Suspended And Fined By Rodgers. May 11, 1920. 1, 10. The Sacramento Bee. Sacramento, California. Newspapers.com. January 14, 2022.
  20. Web site: Seattle Buys Brick Eldred. 8. The Oregon Daily Journal. Newspapers.com . May 15, 1920 . January 11, 2022.
  21. Web site: Eldred Sold For $3,500; Oaks Open Here To-morrow. 14. Rudy. Hickey. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . May 17, 1920 . January 11, 2022.
  22. Web site: Outfielder Sought By Senators Bought By Seattle. Rudy. Hickey. 16. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . May 25, 1920 . January 11, 2022.
  23. Web site: Hack Miller, Oakland Slugger Finished At League Leader's Heels. 27. Oakland Tribune. Newspapers.com . January 9, 1921 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  24. Web site: Sperry Flours Open New Race On Tracy Field. John J.. Peri. 12. Stockton Daily Evening Record. Newspapers.com . March 7, 1922 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  25. Web site: Brick Eldred Signs Up With Raniers . Vancouver Daily World. 10. Newspapers.com . February 12, 1923 . January 11, 2022.
  26. Web site: Strand, King Swatter. 47. The Los Angeles Times. Newspapers.com . October 17, 1923 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  27. Web site: Seattle Loaded With Raft Of Players. 10. The Modesto Bee. Newspapers.com . March 31, 1925 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  28. News: Duffy Lewis Is Batting Champion. United Press. 4. The Whittier News. Newspapers.com . December 13, 1924 . January 11, 2022.
  29. Web site: Hufft and Sherlock Keeping Eldred and Caveney on Bench. 24. The Seattle Star. Newspapers.com . April 23, 1926 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  30. Web site: Hufft Rare 'Find' For Boss Killefer. R.A.. Cronin. 19. Daily News. Newspapers.com . April 27, 1926 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  31. Web site: Sherlock in New Role. The Seattle Star. 9. Newspapers.com. June 12, 1926. January 16, 2022.
  32. Web site: Here Are Rosters Of Eight Coast League Clubs. 19. The Los Angeles Times. Newspapers.com . April 1, 1928 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  33. Web site: Oaks Favorites Although Mound Staff Appears Shaky. Eddie. Murphy. 19. Oakland Tribune. Newspapers.com . April 2, 1928 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  34. Web site: Seattle Indians Changed: Eldred Sent To Wichita Falls. Associated Press. 20. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . April 30, 1928 . January 11, 2022.
  35. Web site: Southpaw Is Huring Way Into Majors. Rudy. Hickey. 21. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . May 3, 1928 . January 11, 2022. subscription.
  36. Web site: 1928 Wichita Falls Spudders Statistics. Baseball-Reference.com. January 12, 2022.
  37. Web site: Brick Eldred Is With Milwaukee. 6. The Seattle Star. Newspapers.com . July 27, 1929 . January 11, 2022.
  38. Web site: Henry Steinbacker May Prove To Be Excellent Prospect For Senators. Rudy. Hickey. 26. The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . March 12, 1930 . January 11, 2022.
  39. Web site: "Wally" Hood Released: "Brick" Eldred May Be Signed. Rudy. Hickey. 35 . The Sacramento Bee. Newspapers.com . 1930-05-24 . 2022-01-16.
  40. Web site: Sheely Leads Coast League Sluggers . The Sacramento Bee. 24. Newspapers.com . 1930-10-21 . 2022-01-16.
  41. Web site: Cast-Offs Outhit Seattle Replacements . Hartford Courant. Associated Press. 6. Newspapers.com . 1930-12-29 . 2022-01-16.
  42. Web site: Brick Eldred Gets Release by Solons . Appeal-Democrat. Marysville, California. 10. Newspapers.com . 1931-02-13 . 2022-01-16.
  43. Web site: Area baseball beat: After Solons traded him, Ross Eldred soared in Seattle . The Sacramento Bee. Mark . McDermott. May 31, 2015. January 11, 2022.
  44. Web site: Funeral Services Are Tomorrow For 'Brick' Eldred. The Sacramento Bee. 29 . Newspapers.com . December 23, 1976 . January 11, 2022.

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