Eddie Bockman

Joseph Edward Bockman (July 26, 1920 – September 29, 2011) was an American professional baseball third baseman and scout, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (), Cleveland Indians (), and Pittsburgh Pirates (–). During his playing days, Bockman stood , weighing ; he batted and threw right-handed. His younger brother, Morley Bockman, played Minor League Baseball (MiLB) for the Riverside Rubes, in the Sunset League, among other teams.

Playing career

Born in Santa Ana, California, Bockman was a triple-threat back for Woodrow Wilson Classical High School in Long Beach, California, in 1937.

While playing second base for the Fullerton, California All-Stars, Bockman hit a home run (HR) to help lead the team to a 16–4 victory over Fort Rosecrans, in August 1943. He also played third base for a Pacific Coast League All-Star team which featured Cleveland Indians pitcher Bob Feller. The All-Stars opposed the Kansas City Monarchs in an exhibition game at Wrigley Field (Los Angeles), on October 2, 1945, with Satchel Paige pitching for the Monarchs.

Bockman did not play pro baseball from 1943 to 1946, due to service in the United States Navy during World War II. While in the Navy, he was stationed in San Diego and played for the base team. He rose to the rank of Specialist 2nd Class Petty Officer. In September 1946, he joined the Yankees, then spent parts of the next three years with the Indians and Pirates.

Bockman's most productive seasons came with Pittsburgh, when he posted career-best all-around numbers, including a .239 batting average (BA), 23 runs batted in (RBI) and 23 runs scored, in 1948. Then, in 1949 he posted career-highs in games played (79) and HR (6), while driving in 19 runs and scoring 21 times. In April of that year, Bockman belted two home runs in a single game to give the Pirates a 3–1 victory over the Cincinnati Reds at Forbes Field. His two-run homer in the fourth inning scored Danny Murtaugh, who had walked.''Bucs Bag Nightcap To Divy With Reds'', Los Angeles Times, April 25, 1949, Page C2.

Bockman's career MLB stat-line includes a .230 BA, 11 HR, and 56 RBI, in 199 games. Following his big league stint, he became a Minor League Baseball player-manager for the Albuquerque Dukes (), Visalia Cubs (), and Amarillo Gold Sox (–).

Later life

Bockman later scouted for the Philadelphia Phillies, where he was credited for signing Bob Boone, Larry Bowa, Joe Charboneau, Buck Martinez, Ricky Jordan, Randy Lerch, Dick Ruthven, John Vukovich, and Bob Walk, among others. In 1992, after more than 30 years with the Phillies, he became a scout for the newly created Florida Marlins expansion team.

On September 29, 2011, Bockman died in Millbrae, California, at the age of 91. He is buried at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale, California.

References

External links

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bockman, Eddie
1920 births
2011 deaths
Albuquerque Dukes players
Amarillo Gold Sox players
Baseball players from California
Bisbee Bees players
Burials at Forest Lawn Memorial Park (Glendale)
Cleveland Indians players
Indianapolis Indians players
Joplin Miners players
Kansas City Blues (baseball) players
Lewiston Broncs players
Major League Baseball scouts
Major League Baseball third basemen
Miami Marlins scouts
Minor league baseball managers
New York Yankees players
Norfolk Tars players
Sportspeople from Santa Ana, California
Philadelphia Phillies scouts
Pittsburgh Pirates players
Portland Beavers players
Sacramento Solons players
Visalia Cubs players
Wilson Classical High School alumni
United States Navy sailors
American military sports players
United States Navy personnel of World War II