Sherm Lollar would have been 100 years old today and has been gone from our lives for nearly half of those, unable to promote his own cause. I never met the man, but he’s had as big of impact on my life as anyone. I find it difficult to explain, having a childhood sports hero and never outgrowing it. I saw him in the World Series on TV, saw him play in person, and adopted his uniform #10 as my own lucky number. I have his 1955 jersey hanging in my office, several of his catcher gloves, all of his baseball cards, and hundreds of clippings, photos, and endorsed merchandise preserved in binders. There is no sane reason why a grown man like me should have these items, yet others collect memorabilia from stars like Elvis and The Beatles, while sports enthusiasts pay thousands for signatures and game-used items. We’re all crazy about our heroes!

I had a few of his baseball cards and photos when I joined a group of collectors while living in Portland about ten years ago. While they dwelled on the popular names like Mickey Mantle, for example, I decided to focus on Sherm Lollar. They were in it for the investment and paid big dollars for their items, I was in it for the love of the game and the man. Besides, I didn’t have the pocketbook for the big names in baseball. I’ve written about him many times in this blog (See Post #5).

Sherm Lollar should have been a Hall-of-Fame name for his defense alone. There are so few, less than 20, that got this distinction for their work behind the plate. Over 18-years of Major League Baseball he achieved an unbelievable .992 fielding average despite the antiquated equipment that they used back then. The catchers that make it into Cooperstown also made an offensive impact, although the reason I was initially drawn to him was the home run that he hit in the 1959 World Series against the Dodgers, along with five hits. Everyone, including me, is a sucker for the long ball, but it’s the leadership skills and other overlooked talents that should be in the Hall-of-Fame formula. 

Sherm Lollar is not a household name and is too often ignored. For example, the State of Arkansas, where he was born and raised, does not even mention him among the athletes on their website. I wrote the director a note yesterday about the significance of Sherm Lollar’s 100th birthday and included these facts:

  • Born August 23, 1924, in Dunham, Arkansas
  • Bat boy for the Fayetteville Bears Class D Minor League club
  • American Legion Post #27 1938-1940 (named Graduate Player of Year in 1958)
  • Played for a Kansas semi-pro team in 1943 while working the mines. Signed by the Baltimore Orioles of the International League at age 18.
  • International League MVP 1945
  • Major League debut April 20, 1946, with the Cleveland Indians. Played for 18 seasons with 4 different teams (Indians, Yankees, Browns, White Sox).
  • Cleveland Indians back-up for both Frank Hayes who held the 312-streak of most consecutive games played by a catcher, and up-and-coming All-Star Jim Hegan.
  • Caught a Bob Feller complete game in 1946 and scored the only run.
  • Traded to the Yankees at the end of the 1946 season where he competed with Yogi Berra for the starting role in 1947 and earned his first World Series ring.
  • Started two games in the 1947 World Series and went 3 for 4 with two doubles. Yogi Berra got the first pinch-hit home run in World Series history in Game 3 after pinch-hitting for him.
  • Wrist injury forced his trade to the Browns, after it was determined by HOF Manager Bill Dickey that Yogi’s left-handed bat was more suitable for Yankee Stadium’s short porch in right.
  • Earned his first of 7 All-Star selections (nine games) in 1949 with the Browns
  • Traded to the Chicago White Sox for the 1952 season, the worst of his career.
  • Tied a Major League record in 1955 by getting two hits in each of two innings of the same game.
  • Career on-base percentage was higher than Berra’s (.357 versus.348).
  • Hit a career-high .293 with 28 doubles in 1956.
  • Caught Bob Keegan’s no-hitter in 1957
  • Helped the White Sox to their first American League pennant since the Black Sox scandal of 1919, guiding the pitching staff to the lowest ERA in the league.
  • Had five hits and five RBI’s, including a home run in the 1959 World Series.
  • Caught a record-tying six pop-ups in one game
  • Inaugural Major League Gold Glove Award recipient for catcher in 1957. Also won the American League Award in 1958 & 1959.
  • .992 Lifetime fielding percentage, a ML record in his era
  • Retired from playing in 1963, following a thumb fracture.
  • Bullpen coach of the Baltimore Orioles from 1964-1967, earning a 2nd World Series ring in 1966.
  • Bullpen coach of the 1968-69 Oakland Athletics (Catfish Hunter perfect game)
  • Iowa Oaks Manager 1970-1972
  • Tucson Toros Manager 1973 and 1974
  • Died September 24, 1977
  • Member of the Chicago White Sox All-Century Team.

That’s a remarkable career that is on the very fringe of Hall-of-Fame greatness, as are other historic figures in the game. Not everyone can get in, but some are on the doorstep like Sherm Lollar. I’m hoping that Arkansas answers my e-mail because I would like to discuss what to do with my collection of his stuff. I may very well have the largest in the world and have spent a lot of dollars and time to let it be thrown in a dumpster someday. 

Happy 100th Birthday Sherm – I will be celebrating a 73rd myself in a few days. To honor the day, I bought a Sherm Lollar endorsed Rawlings mitt in a stylish glass case that goes nicely with an old newspaper ad of him and Ed Bailey. It reads: “Follow the Leaders…you can’t miss if you take a tip from the pros.”