Van Fletcher

Who was Van Fletcher?

Albert Vanoide Fletcher was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He appeared in nine games for the Detroit Tigers in 1955.

Fletcher was born in East Bend, North Carolina in 1924. He volunteered for service and fought in World War II. Following the completion of his military service, Fletcher was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals professional baseball organization. He played for several minor league baseball teams, including the Elkin Blanketeers, Vancouver Capilanos, and Seattle Rainiers. In August 1954, the Detroit Tigers acquired him from the Rainiers.

After spending the 1957 season with the Birmingham Barons, Fletcher retired from baseball. He returned to Yadkin County where he worked as a building contractor in the Winston-Salem and Yadkinville areas. He also farmed tobacco for many years as well as coaching little league baseball throughout the 1960s and 1970s. Fletcher died in Yadkinville on March 17, 2010 at the age of 85. He was survived by his widow, the former Rilla Whitaker, as well as his two sons.