SAM HALE - INDUCTEE #8
hall of fame fast fact:
Sam Hale was known as Sammy Hale in the major leagues and was reputed to have the smallest hand in the game, according to BaseballLibrary.com. Nevertheless, Hale participated in 46 double plays in 1927, most among AL third baseman. He is one of about 600 major league players to have batted into a triple play.
Sam Hale
Born in Glen Rose, Sam Hale graduated from Estelline High School. Hale signed a professional contract with Dallas and San Antonio in the minor leagues.
He made his Major League debut with Detroit on April 20, 1920 as Sammy Hale. Hale spent all or parts of 10 seasons in the Major Leagues, playing third baseman for the Detroit Tigers, Philadelphia A’s, and St. Louis Browns.
Hale posted a .302 lifetime batting average. He hit .293 for the Tigers as a 23-year-old rookie and led the American League with 17 pinch hits in 52 at-bats. His best season was in 1925 when he was among the AL leaders with a .345 batting average.
In Philadelphia, Hale played alongside Lefty Grove, Jimmy Foxx, Mickey Cochrane, and Al Simmons. His last professional season was 1941.
After his baseball career was over, Hale worked as a golf professional and greens keeper.
Sam Hale died at age 77 in 1974.
