Rick Ferrell

Richard Benjamin Ferrell (October 12, 1905 – July 27, 1995) was an American professional baseball player, coach, scout, and executive who played as a catcher in Major League Baseball. Over 18 seasons from 1929 through 1947, he appeared for the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox, and Washington Senators. After three seasons in the minor leagues, Ferrell appealed to the Commissioner of Baseball to become a free agent, arguing that he was being held in the minors despite deserving promotion; the Commissioner agreed, granted him free agency, and Ferrell signed with the St. Louis Browns. His brother, Wes Ferrell, was a major league pitcher for 15 seasons, and the two were teammates from 1933 through part of 1938 on the Red Sox and Senators.

Ferrell was regarded as one of the best catchers in baseball during the 1930s and early 1940s. While playing for the Red Sox in 1933, he and Wes were selected to the American League team for the inaugural Major League Baseball All-Star Game, held on July 6, 1933. His 1,806 games caught set an American League longevity record that stood for more than 40 years. A seven-time All-Star, Ferrell was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.