Doug Clemens Explained

Doug Clemens
Position:Outfielder
Birth Date:9 June 1939
Birth Place:Leesport, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Bats:Left
Throws:Right
Debutleague:MLB
Debutdate:October 2
Debutyear:1960
Debutteam:St. Louis Cardinals
Finalleague:MLB
Finaldate:September 27
Finalyear:1968
Finalteam:Philadelphia Phillies
Statleague:MLB
Stat1label:Batting average
Stat1value:.229
Stat2label:Home runs
Stat2value:12
Stat3label:Runs batted in
Stat3value:88
Teams:

Douglas Horace Clemens (born June 9, 1939) is an American former professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from – for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Cardinals. During Clemens’ playing days, he stood tall, weighing . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.[1]

Early life

Born in Leesport, Berks County, Pennsylvania, in 1939, Clemens attended Muhlenberg High School, lettering in both football and baseball, while under the tutelage of his own father, Head Coach Lloyd “Scoop” Clemens (himself, a Phillies scout). A highly-recruited halfback, he (young Clemens) played collegiately in Jim Brown’s footsteps, at Syracuse University. While on a full athletic (gridiron) scholarship, Clemens suffered a severe knee injury, early on in Fall, 1957; however, the Orangemen transferred his scholarship to the diamond, where he played first base, lettering in baseball in both and . Following his Junior year, Clemens turned pro, signing with the Cardinals.[2]

Baseball career

A pinch-hitting specialist for most of his MLB career, Clemens’ main claim to fame stems from the June 15, 1964, trade that brought future Hall of Famer Lou Brock to the Cardinals.

That spring, Clemens broke camp with the Cards. In early-season action, he tallied 33 games played, while hitting .205, with six walks, and 16 strikeouts. On June 15, the Cardinals traded Clemens, Bobby Shantz, and Ernie Broglio to the Chicago Cubs, in exchange for Jack Spring, Paul Toth, and (although not-yet-evident) Cooperstown-bound outfielder Brock.[1]

Clemens continued in platoon and pinch-hitting roles until retiring as a Phillie, following a 1968 season, most of which was spent with their Triple-A San Diego Padres (PCL) club.

During his nine-year MLB career, including the full seasons of through, Clemens collected 211 hits, with 34 doubles seven triples, and 12 home runs. He batted .229 and was credited with 88 runs batted in (RBI).[1]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Doug Clemens Stats. 2019. Sports Reference LLC. Baseball-Reference.com. April 27, 2019.
  2. Web site: Stahl. John. SABR Baseball BioProject: Doug Clemens. April 2013. Society for American Baseball Research. sabr.org. March 8, 2019.