Dave Philley

Who was Dave Philley?

David Earl Philley was an outfielder who played in Major League Baseball. A switch-hitter who threw right-handed, he debuted on September 6, 1941 and played his final game on August 6, 1962. He was born in Paris, Texas.

A well-travelled and -regarded clutch hitter, Philley played for eight different teams in a long 18-season career. He was considered one of the game's premier defensive outfielders before Gold Gloves were awarded. A hustler with good range and an outstanding arm, he led American League outfielders in assists three different years and once in outs. A highly disciplined hitter as well, he had a short and compact swing with occasional power and was a daring and intelligent base runner. Still, Philley is best remembered for his pinch-hitting heroics in the late 1950s.

Philley reached the majors in 1941 with the Chicago White Sox. He spent four years in military service during World War II, rejoining the White Sox in 1946 and playing 17 games for them that year. Philley was with the White Sox for five-and-a-half years before moving to the Philadelphia Athletics early in the 1951 season. After playing for Philadelphia in the 1951 through 1953 seasons, he next played for the Cleveland Indians in 1954. He was acquired by the Baltimore Orioles during the 1955 season and finished the year with a .299 batting average, leading the Orioles in batting. Later in his long career, Philley played for the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants and Boston Red Sox, including second stints with Chicago and Baltimore. His most productive season came in 1953 with the Athletics, when he posted career-numbers in batting average, hits, doubles, and games played. From 1947 to 1953 he averaged 27 doubles per season, and in 1950 with Chicago hit 14 home runs with 80 RBI, also career-highs. While in Cleveland he appeared in the 1954 World Series.