- Tex Clevenger
Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=darkblue
bgcolor2=maroon
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white
name=Tex Clevenger
position=Pitcher
bats=Right
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1932|7|9
debutdate=April 18
debutyear=by|1954
debutteam=Boston Red Sox
finaldate=September 30
finalyear=by|1962
finalteam=New York Yankees
stat1label=ERA
stat1value=4.18
stat2label=Record
stat2value=36-37
stat3label=Strikeouts
stat3value=361
teams=
*Boston Red Sox (1954)
*Washington Senators (1956-1960)
*Los Angeles Angels (1961)
*New York Yankees (1961-1962)
highlights=
*Led league in games in 1958.Truman Eugene "Tex" Clevenger (born
July 9 1932 , inVisalia, California ) is a formerMajor League Baseball relief pitcher /spot starter who played for theBoston Red Sox , Washington Senators, Los Angeles Angels andNew York Yankees from 1954-1962. He was 6'1" tall and 180 pounds, and threw and batted right-handed. He attendedFresno State University .Before the by|1953 season, Tex was signed as an amateur free agent by the Boston Red Sox. In the minors that year, he went 16-2 for the
San Jose Red Sox , which was good enough to earn him the 1953California League MVP Award .On
April 18 , by|1954, at the age of 21, Clevenger made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox. His first season was no more than mediocre, as he went 2-4 with a 4.79 ERA. Overall in his career, he went 36-37 with a 4.18 ERA, 298 walks and 361strikeout s. Oddly enough, perhaps his best season was his last-in 21 games in by|1962, he had an ERA of 2.84 and a record of 2-0. As a hitter, he hit .157, with the highlight of his hitting career being a triple in 1958. He had a .961 careerfielding percentage .Clevenger was often among the league leaders, but only led the league in any category once. Four times was he on the top 10 list for games played, leading the league in 1958. Four times was he on the top 10 list in saves, and also four times was he on the top 10 list in games finished. In each of the categories, he appeared on the top 10 lists every year from 1957-1960. Statistically, Clevenger has often been compared to former pitcherHal Jeffcoat .On
September 30 , by|1962, Clevenger played in his final major league game.Transactions
*On
November 8 , by|1955, Clevenger was sent with Al Curtis (a minor leaguer),Dick Brodowski ,Neil Chrisley , andKarl Olson from the Red Sox to the Washington Senators forBob Porterfield ,Mickey Vernon ,Johnny Schmitz andTom Umphlett .
*OnDecember 14 , by|1960, the Los Angeles Angels drafted Clevenger in the expansion draft.
*OnMay 8 , by|1961, Clevenger was traded withBob Cerv by the Angels to the New York Yankees forRyne Duren , Lee Thomas andJohnny James .Other facts
*On
August 5 , by|1959, Clevenger ends an 18-game Washington Senator losing streak by shutting out theCleveland Indians 9-0 in a nightcap that day.
*OnMay 11 ,1958 , Clevenger got both the assist and the putout in retiring Yankee batterElston Howard . Clevenger was hit by a line drive and the ball bounced off his leg into foul territory near first base. He then covered 1B to receive the toss from first basemanNorm Zauchin .*Clevenger wore multiple numbers in his career::1954-26:1956-10 and 11:1957-12 and 17:1958-1960-12:1961 (with the Angels)-32:1961 (with the Yankees)-26:1962-21,26
*Clevenger owns Clevenger Ford, an automobile dealership in Porterville, CA. He also resides in Porterville.
External links
*baseball-reference|id=c/clevete01
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