Dick Wakefield

Richard Cummings Wakefield (May 6, 1921 - August 25, 1985) was an American left fielder who played nine seasons in Major League Baseball. Born in Chicago, he was the son of Howard Wakefield, a major league catcher from 1905 to 1907. He attended the University of Michigan, where he played one season in 1941, batting .372 with nine home runs and leading the Wolverines to a Big Ten Conference title. Detroit Tigers scout Wish Egan persuaded owner Walter O. Briggs, Sr. to sign Wakefield for a $52,000 bonus and a car, making him one of the first so-called bonus babies. He batted left-handed, threw right-handed, and stood 6 feet 4 inches. After a brief debut in 1941, Wakefield returned in 1943 for a strong rookie season, starting in left field for the American League in the All-Star Game and recording a game-winning hit. His career was interrupted by World War II military service. He played for the Tigers in 1941, 1943-1944, and 1946-1949, then was traded to the New York Yankees in December 1949 for Dick Kryhoski, appearing for New York in 1950. After a comeback attempt, he had a final two hitless at-bats with the New York Giants in 1952, ending his major league career at age 31.