Richie Ashburn Biography

Richie Ashburn

member of the Baseball Hall of Fame, elected in 1995; center fielder for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1948–1959; finished his playing career with the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets; broadcaster for the Phillies for the past 35 years; nickname “Whitey,” ended his first season as the Sporting News' Rookie of the Year, batting .333; won NL batting title in 1955 (.338) and 1958 (.350); finished second three times; batted over .300 nine times in his career; played solid defense, leading the NL in putouts for nine seasons; played in six All-Star games and one World Series; part of the 1950 pennant-winning “Whiz Kids”; holds Phillies record for consecutive games played with 731, singles with 1811; in his era he was overshadowed by his fellow center fielders Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle and Duke Snider; selected to the Hall of Fame by the veterans committee; a columnist for the Philadelphia Bulletin and Daily News from 1974–91; of an apparent heart attack; in Manhattan where the Phillies were staying