Buck Crouse

Clyde Ellsworth "Buck" Crouse (January 6, 1897 – October 23, 1983) was an American catcher in Major League Baseball.

Early career

"Bucky" was born on a farm in Madison County, Indiana and moved to Muncie, Indiana as a boy. He began his professional baseball career in 1921 with the Jackson Mayors team in the Michigan Central League. When they folded a year later, he joined the Muskegan Club in the Michigan–Ontario League.

Major league career

Chicago White Sox

The American League Chicago White Sox purchased him in the middle of the 1923 season. It was in Chicago that Bucky began his longtime association with Hall of Famers Ray Schalk, whom he backed up as a catcher, and pitcher Ted Lyons, who preferred Crouse over any other catcher. He served as backup to Schalk through 1926, and the next two seasons as part of a catching tandem with Harry McCurdy and Moe Berg. His best season was in 1925 when he led the team in hitting with a .351 in 54 games, but he was best known for his strong arm and defensive abilities. He averaged nearly one assist per game, an unusually high figure.

Late minor league career

Buffalo Bisons

Crouse left the White Sox in 1931 to play for Schalk, now the manager of the Buffalo Bisons International League team. Because of his hustle and defensive prowess, he was one of Buffalo's most popular players. While with the Herd he caught two no-hit games, and during the 1935 pennant race he caught 32 straight games, including five double headers in six days. His fielding average was .984 (only 8 errors in 499 chances). He was honored with "Bucky Crouse Night" in front of over 13,000 fans at Offermann Stadium and was later inducted into the Buffalo Hall of Fame.

Baltimore Orioles

In 1937 Bucky took over May 20 as player-manager for the struggling International League Baltimore Orioles, after being traded for George Savino and cash. In his first showing as a manager, he batted a solid .288 and led the Flock out of the league cellar into the first division and the Governors' Cup series. They finished fourth, losing to the Newark Bears in the playoffs. He was widely recognized by players, writers and officials for his inspirational leadership and was again honored with "Bucky Crouse Night" at Oriole Park. That year he was named The Sporting News' Most Valuable Player of the International League. At age 40 and a grandfather, he was the oldest player ever to receive this honor. It was the highlight of his 17-year career. At the celebration, he received a trophy, the key to the city, a bag of money and a new car.

Coaching

In 1939 he signed to catch for the Little Rock Travelers, of the Southern Association, but asked to be released to manage the Montgomery team of the Southeastern League. He pulled the Montgomery club up and led them into the playoffs but did not like the deep south. He finished his career coaching at Indianapolis of the American Association in 1940.

Retirement from baseball

Returning to Muncie, Crouse worked for the Hemingray Glass Company and later for the Acme-Lees Company, an automobile moldings manufacturer. He occasionally played for the Muncie Citizens, a semi-professional team. Crouse, who died at 86 years of age, is enshrined in the Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame (Class of 1981), the Buffalo Bison Hall of Fame and the Delaware County Athletic Hall of Fame.

References

Sources

Indiana Baseball Hall of Fame
* Interview with baseball player Bucky Crouse conducted by Eugene C. Murdock on Nov 1, 1974, in Muncie, Ind. (3 hr., in two parts)
Part 1 of 2Part 2 of 2

{{DEFAULTSORT:Crouse, Buck
Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players
Chicago White Sox players
Major League Baseball catchers
Baseball players from Indiana
1897 births
1983 deaths
Baltimore Orioles (IL) managers
Sportspeople from Anderson, Indiana
International League MVP award winners