I keep saying I need to get more active here and I never do. I just received my 65th signed 1961 Fleer card and I am working with a friend on a deal to add three more to that total. At a minimum, I need to be posting faster than I am acquiring them. Surely, I can manage that? The answer is yes because I expect this project will grind to a virtual halt as I am getting down to the very rare or very expensive cards yet to go. Okay, next up in the signed 1961 Fleer project is Hall of Famer Lou Boudreau.
Other fun facts about Lou Boudreau:
- He isn't so much credited with inventing the infield shift as he was of bringing it to more popular attention. He did this on July 14, 1946 against Ted Williams during the second game of a doubleheader. Williams laughed when Cleveland deployed the shift, but then promptly grounded out to none other than Lou Boudreau.
- Despite not ever being confused as a speed demon (one of his nicknames was "Old Shufflefoot," he was an excellent fielding shortstop.
- In 1990, the Cleveland Indians established The Lou Boudreau Award, which is given every year to the organization's Minor League Player of the Year.
- Boudreau is only one of three Illinois Fighting Illini athletes to have their number retired; the other two athletes being Illinois Fighting Illini football players Red Grange and Dick Butkus.
- He was Denny McClain's father-in-law.
What I am listening to: El Dorado by Molly Tuttle & Golden Highway