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Robert Pershing Doerr (April 7, 1918 – November 13, 2017) was an American professional baseball second baseman and coach. He played his entire 14-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career for the Boston Red Sox (1937–1951). A nine-time MLB All-Star, Doerr batted over .300 three times, drove in more than 100 runs six times, and set Red Sox team records in several statistical categories despite missing one season due to military service during World War II. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986.

Key Information

After he retired as a player, Doerr served as a scout and a coach; he worked with Carl Yastrzemski before his Triple Crown season. From April 25, 2017, until his death on November 13 of that year, Doerr was the oldest living former major league player. He was the last living person who played in the major leagues in the 1930s, and was the oldest of only three living people who made their MLB debut before U.S. involvement in World War II (the other two being Chuck Stevens and Fred Caligiuri).[1]

Early life

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Doerr was the son of Harold Doerr, a telephone company supervisor, and his wife, the former Frances Herrnberger; his middle name was a tribute to General of the Armies John J. Pershing, then the commander of U.S. military forces in World War I.[2]

He graduated from Los Angeles' Fremont High School in 1936, and by then, had already begun his professional career with the 1934 and 1935 Hollywood Stars of the Pacific Coast League (PCL).[3]

While playing for the San Diego Padres of the PCL in 1936, Doerr met Ted Williams. The future Red Sox teammates became close friends for many years.[4] Doerr played in 175 games for San Diego that year, batting .342. He led the league with 238 hits, including 37 doubles and 12 triples.[3]

MLB playing career

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Early career

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Doerr broke into the majors in 1937 at the age of 19 and went 3-for-5 in his first game.[5] In 1938, he became a regular in the Red Sox lineup.[6] Doerr led the league with 22 sacrifice hits in 1938.[7] In 1939, Doerr began a string of 12 consecutive seasons with 10 or more home runs and 73 or more runs batted in (RBIs); in 1940 the Red Sox became the 12th team in major league history to have four players with 100 RBIs, with Foxx, Williams, Cronin and Doerr each collecting at least 105.[8]

All-Star seasons and the World Series

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In 1941, Doerr was an All-Star, the first of nine times he was selected for the AL All-Star team.[9] In 1944, Doerr led the league in slugging percentage. The same year, his .325 batting average was good enough to allow him to finish second in the league, two percentage points behind Lou Boudreau of the Cleveland Indians.[10] The Sporting News named him Most Valuable Player for the American League (AL),[11] although he finished only seventh in Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award voting for the AL.[12] Doerr hit for the cycle twice in his career;[13] on May 17, 1944, in a 12–8 loss to the St. Louis Browns in the second game of a doubleheader,[14] and again on May 13, 1947, in a 19–6 win over the Chicago White Sox.[15]

Doerr missed the 1945 season while serving in the Army during World War II,[9] being stationed at Camp Roberts, California.[16] In 1946, Doerr finished third in MVP voting for the AL (won by Williams, his teammate).[17] Doerr drove in 116 runs despite a .271 average.[18] He hit .409 in the 1946 World Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, with a home run and three RBIs.[19] Doerr's average dropped to .258 in 1947 as he grounded into a league-high 25 double plays, but he had 95 RBIs. He hit .285 with 27 home runs and 111 RBIs in 1948.[18] Doerr had set an AL record in that year by handling 414 chances in a row over 73 games without an error.[20]

Final years as a player

[edit]

In 1949, Doerr hit .309 with 18 home runs and 109 RBIs.[18] At the start of the 1950 season, Doerr was in a slump; he was only batting .232 as of June 2.[21] However, he finished the year with a league-leading 11 triples, and batted .294. On June 8 of that year, he hit three home runs in a 29–4 romp over the Browns.[22] He set career highs that year in triples, runs (103) and RBIs (120); he tied his career high in home runs (27).[18] Doerr appeared in only 106 games in 1951 and he retired that September after suffering from a spinal problem for two years.[23]

Career totals

[edit]
Doerr, circa 1939

Doerr retired with 8,028 plate appearances, 1,094 runs, 89 triples, 809 walks, 1,349 singles, 1,184 runs created, 693 extra base hits, 2,862 times on base, 115 sacrifice hits and nine All-Star Game selections. At Fenway Park, he hit .315 with 145 home runs, compared to a .261 average and 78 HR on the road. Doerr batted over .300 three times, with six seasons of at least 100 RBIs. He never played a game at a position other than second base.[18]

Regarded as one of the top defensive second basemen of his era, Doerr led AL second basemen in double plays five times, tying a league record, in putouts and fielding percentage four times each, and in assists three times.[18] Doerr held the major league record for career double plays at second base (1,507) until 1963.[24]

He set Red Sox records for career games (1,865), at bats (7,093), hits (2,042), doubles (381), total bases (3,270) and RBIs (1,247),[25] All of Doerr's offensive Red Sox records were later broken by Williams, who referred to Doerr as "the silent captain of the Red Sox." His 223 home runs were then the third most by a major league second baseman.[26]

Later MLB career

[edit]

After spending a few years as a cattle rancher in Oregon, Doerr returned to baseball.[27] He became a scout for the Red Sox from 1957 to 1966, also serving as a minor league hitting instructor for the team for the last six seasons of that span. He was hired as the first base coach for the Red Sox in 1967 under new manager Dick Williams.[28] The Red Sox won their first pennant in 20 years and played in the 1967 World Series.

Doerr resigned from the Red Sox when Williams was fired as manager in September 1969. He was the hitting coach for the expansion Toronto Blue Jays from 1977 to 1981.[9]

Later life

[edit]
Bobby Doerr's number 1 was retired by the Boston Red Sox in 1988.

Doerr lived in Oregon from the late 1930s until his death, residing in the vicinity of Agness for much of his career before relocating to Junction City in the 1950s. Doerr was married to Monica Terpin from October 1938 until her death in 2003; she had lived with multiple sclerosis since the 1940s. They had one son.[27]

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986. His jersey number 1 was retired by the Red Sox on May 21, 1988. He made annual trips to the Hall of Fame induction at Cooperstown, New York until 2008, after which he stopped attending. On July 29, 2007, the Hall of Fame honored Doerr after the induction of Cal Ripken Jr. and Tony Gwynn. Reflecting on being inducted into the Hall of Fame and having his number retired by the Red Sox, Doerr said, "If I had played on a world champion, that would have made my life complete."[27]

On August 2, 2007, the Red Sox held "Bobby Doerr Day" at Fenway Park where he rode along the warning track in a car, threw out the first pitch, and gave a speech. Doerr had what was characterized as a minor stroke on August 11, 2011.[29] He attended the Fenway Park 100th anniversary celebration on April 20, 2012.[30]

Alongside teammates Ted Williams, Dom DiMaggio, and Johnny Pesky, Doerr was honored with The Teammates statue outside Fenway Park. It was unveiled in 2010.[31]

Longevity and records

[edit]
Doerr at Fenway Park's 100th anniversary in 2012

Upon the death of former New York Yankees executive and American League president Lee MacPhail in November 2012, Doerr became the oldest living member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. He became the oldest living former Red Sox player upon the death of Lou Lucier in October 2014.[32] On November 4, 2016, Doerr became the oldest living former major leaguer upon the death of Eddie Carnett.[33]

Doerr was the last surviving member of the 1946 Boston Red Sox team that won the AL pennant and lost the World Series in seven games to the St. Louis Cardinals. He was also the last living person who played in the major leagues during the 1930s, and the last living person who played against Lou Gehrig.[34]

Death

[edit]

Doerr died on November 13, 2017, in Junction City, Oregon, at the age of 99.[6]

Awards

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See also

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References

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Further reading

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Bobby Doerr

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Robert Pershing Doerr, known professionally as Bobby Doerr, was an American who played his entire 14-season career with the Red Sox from 1937 to 1951. Born on April 7, 1918, in , , and passing away on November 13, 2017, in , Doerr debuted on April 20, 1937, and missed only the 1945 season due to during . Widely regarded as one of the finest defensive second basemen in baseball history, he combined exceptional fielding with consistent offensive production, earning nine selections and induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986. Doerr's career statistics highlight his durability and skill, as he appeared in 1,865 games, amassed 2,042 hits, hit 223 home runs, and drove in 1,247 runs while maintaining a .288 and an .823 . Defensively, he led the in fielding four times and in double plays five times, setting a league record with 414 consecutive error-free chances at second base and posting a career .980 fielding . One of his standout seasons came in 1946, when he slugged 18 home runs, knocked in 116 runs, and hit .409 in the against the St. Louis Cardinals, though the Red Sox fell short of the championship. He achieved at least 100 runs batted in six times, underscoring his role as a key from the middle infield during an era dominated by the New York Yankees. Beyond his playing days, Doerr remained deeply involved in , serving as a scout and coach for the Red Sox from to 1969 before becoming the hitting coach for the Toronto Blue Jays from 1977 to 1981. His loyalty to the Red Sox organization, spanning over seven decades in various capacities, cemented his status as a franchise icon and a symbol of the team's resilient spirit. At the time of his Hall of Fame election, Doerr was celebrated not only for his on-field excellence but also for his humility and contributions to the game's development.

Early life

Childhood and family background

Robert Pershing Doerr was born on April 7, 1918, in , , to Harold Doerr, a supervisor for the local telephone company who later advanced to foreman in the cable department, and Frances Herrnberger Doerr. His middle name, Pershing, was given in tribute to General , the commander of U.S. forces during . The family, which included an older brother named Hal and a younger sister named Dorothy, resided in a modest working-class household in the Los Angeles area, where Harold's steady but unremarkable job provided for their needs amid the economic challenges of the early 20th century. Doerr's early years were shaped by the vibrant, sun-drenched neighborhoods of , where quickly became a central part of his formative experiences. His father, an avid fan of the sport, encouraged young Bobby's interest without pressure, fostering a love for the game through casual play. Doerr and his friends spent much of their free time on local sandlots, honing their skills in informal games that mirrored the passion for prevalent in during the and . This unorganized yet enthusiastic environment laid the groundwork for his natural talent, as the city's mild climate allowed for year-round outdoor activities. Doerr attended Fremont High School in , where he balanced academics with his growing involvement in . He graduated in 1936, fulfilling his father's insistence on completing his education before pursuing professional opportunities in the sport. This period marked the end of his formal schooling and the close of a childhood defined by support, community play, and the simple joys of America's pastime in a bustling urban setting.

Amateur baseball career

Bobby Doerr began his organized career during his high school years at Fremont High School in , , where he played for two seasons in 1933 and the early part of 1934. As a promising , primarily at second base though he spent one year at third, Doerr showed early potential that aligned with Fremont's reputation for producing more professional players than any other U.S. high school at the time. His father, Harold, supported his athletic pursuits amid the by providing equipment to neighborhood children and even assisting future major leaguer Mickey Owen in transitioning to during a 1933 summer league. At age 16, Doerr signed with the of the (PCL) in 1934, forgoing the remainder of his high school season but promising to return for his , which he earned in 1936. In his debut professional season, he appeared in 67 games, batting .259 with 52 hits, mostly singles. The following year, at 17, Doerr established himself as a regular, playing 172 games and hitting .317 with 22 doubles, eight triples, four home runs, and 74 RBIs, demonstrating rapid improvement as a and fielder. Doerr advanced to the Padres of the PCL in , where he enjoyed a breakout campaign at age 18, batting .342 with 238 hits—including 37 doubles and 12 triples—over 175 games while scoring 100 runs. During this season, he first met future Red Sox teammate , who was also playing for the Padres. Later that July, Red Sox scout observed both players on the same trip and recommended their acquisition, leading to Doerr's signing by the Red Sox organization.

Professional playing career

Early professional years

Bobby Doerr made his debut on April 20, 1937, entering as a defensive replacement at second base for the Boston Red Sox during their season-opening game against the at . In his first major-league appearance, the 19-year-old Doerr collected three hits in five at-bats, showcasing the hitting ability honed during his amateur career in semi-pro leagues. That rookie season, limited to 55 games due to the established infield, Doerr hit .224 with two home runs, primarily serving in a utility role while learning the professional level. By 1938, Doerr had secured the full-time second base position for the Red Sox, appearing in 145 games and establishing himself as a reliable everyday player. He batted .289 that year, with 147 hits, 26 doubles, and 80 runs batted in, while demonstrating exceptional situational awareness by leading the with 22 sacrifice hits. Defensively, Doerr's sure hands and quick range at second base earned early praise, as he handled 590 total chances with a .980 fielding percentage, contributing to the Red Sox's improving infield stability. Doerr's early professional tenure unfolded under player-manager , who guided the Red Sox through a period of gradual ascent in the , finishing second in 1940 and 1941. From onward, he shared the infield with emerging stars like , whose rookie debut that year complemented Doerr's steady presence at second base, helping form the core of Boston's lineup during these formative seasons.

Peak performance and All-Star seasons

Bobby Doerr earned nine selections from 1941 to 1951, spanning his prime years with the Boston Red Sox and reflecting his status as one of the American League's top second basemen. These honors included appearances in 1941 through 1944 and from 1946 through 1948, plus 1950 and 1951, with Doerr starting five of the games he played in and contributing a three-run in the 1943 at . Building on the reliability he demonstrated in his early seasons, Doerr's All-Star nods underscored his blend of offensive reliability and defensive prowess during this period. Doerr's 1944 season stood out as one of his finest, where he batted .325—good for second in the behind Lou Boudreau's .327—and slugged .528 to lead the league, while driving in 81 runs over 125 games. That year, he achieved a rare milestone by on May 17 against the , collecting a single, double, triple, and in a 12-inning loss at ; he repeated the feat on May 13, 1947, against the in a 19-6 victory at , becoming the only Red Sox player to hit for the cycle twice in his career. These performances highlighted Doerr's line-drive hitting style and ability to deliver extra-base power from the second-base position. In the against the St. Louis Cardinals, Doerr delivered a standout postseason effort, batting .409 (9-for-22) over six games with a .458 , .591 slugging, and three RBIs as the Red Sox fell in seven games. Key contributions included a two-run in the eighth inning of Game 4 at , which briefly gave the lead in a 3-2 loss, and consistent hitting that paced the Red Sox regulars amid their near-victory. Defensively, Doerr excelled at second base throughout his peak, leading second basemen in double plays five times (including 129 in 1946), putouts and assists multiple seasons (such as 420 putouts and 483 assists in 1946), and fielding percentage four times, with a career .980 mark that tied league records for defensive dominance at the position before the Gold era began in 1957.

World War II military service

Doerr enlisted in the United States Army in September 1944, volunteering for service despite a prior exemption due to a punctured eardrum sustained in childhood. He reported for induction on September 20 and underwent initial training at Fort Lewis, Washington, before being assigned to infantry duty at Camp Roberts, California, a major replacement training center. As a staff sergeant and infantry specialist, Doerr prepared for potential deployment in the Pacific theater, including training that positioned him for the planned invasion of Japan, which was ultimately averted by the war's end. During his time at Camp Roberts, which housed up to 45,000 troops at its peak in 1945, Doerr contributed to morale-building efforts by regularly playing in exhibition games for the soldiers. These activities allowed him to maintain his athletic skills amid military duties, reflecting the broader role of professional athletes in entertaining and supporting the armed forces during the conflict. Doerr's service interrupted his Major League career at a high point, as he had been an in the two preceding seasons. Doerr was honorably discharged on December 15, 1945, missing the entire 1945 MLB season as a result of his military obligations. He rejoined the Boston Red Sox in 1946 at age 28 and promptly resumed competitive play, demonstrating resilience by maintaining his pre-service level of performance despite the year-long hiatus. His experience was emblematic of the wartime sacrifices made by , with over 500 players serving in the U.S. armed forces during .

Post-war career and retirement

Doerr returned from his military service in 1946 and enjoyed a strong first season back, batting .271 with 116 runs batted in while helping lead the Red Sox to the pennant and a appearance, during which he hit .409 over seven games. He continued as a reliable performer in the late , batting .285 with 111 RBIs in amid a season in which the Red Sox tied for first place before losing a playoff to the Indians. However, spinal issues began affecting him around 1949, contributing to a gradual decline in his availability and comfort on the field. By 1950, despite posting a .294 and a team-high 120 RBIs in 149 games, the back problems persisted and worsened. In 1951, Doerr's participation dropped sharply to 106 games as he battled , managing a .289 average with 73 RBIs while wearing a for support. On September 23, 1951, following a severe back injury sustained on August 7 and consultations with doctors and Red Sox management, Doerr announced his retirement at age 33, ending a 14-year major league career spent entirely with . Throughout his final seasons, he sustained impressive RBI output—averaging over 110 per full campaign from 1946 to 1950—demonstrating his clutch hitting even as injuries mounted.

Career statistics and analysis

Bobby Doerr compiled a distinguished 14-year career with the Boston Red Sox, amassing a .288 with 2,042 hits, 223 home runs, and 1,247 runs batted in over 1,865 . His offensive production included 381 doubles and 89 , reflecting a consistent ability to make solid contact and advance runners. Defensively at second base, Doerr maintained a career .980 fielding percentage while leading the American League in double plays five times and in fielding percentage among second basemen four times. He also set an American League record with 414 consecutive error-free chances at the position in 1948. Doerr's playing style emphasized contact hitting and reliability, with an adjusted OPS+ of 115 indicating performance 15% above league average for his era, adjusted for ballpark and league factors. As a middle infielder, his 223 home runs represented underrated power relative to contemporaries at the position, where such output was less common before the post-war period. He was the last living major league player to have faced Lou Gehrig, encountering the Yankees legend in 1938.

Post-playing career

Scouting roles

After retiring from his in 1951 and spending several years managing a in his native , Bobby Doerr transitioned into a role with the Boston Red Sox in 1957. This move marked his shift from on-field performer to talent evaluator, leveraging his extensive baseball knowledge to identify and nurture prospects across the . Doerr's scouting efforts focused particularly on the West Coast, where he traveled to evaluate Red Sox farm system players in locations such as and , contributing to the organization's regional recruitment strategy. Over his decade-long tenure through 1966, he combined scouting duties with roving instruction, emphasizing player development by refining skills like hitting mechanics for emerging talents. Doerr's commitment to the Red Sox organization underscored his lifelong loyalty, as he remained involved in various capacities well beyond his years.

Coaching positions

After retiring as a player, Bobby Doerr returned to the Boston Sox organization as a scout in 1957, transitioning into a roving hitting instructor role from 1961 to 1966, where he worked with prospects across various affiliates to refine their batting techniques. In 1967, Doerr joined the major league coaching staff as the Red Sox's first base coach and hitting instructor under manager , a position he held through the 1969 season, contributing to the team's memorable "Impossible Dream" pennant-winning campaign that year by providing guidance to hitters during base-running situations and pre-game preparation. His prior scouting experience informed his coaching, allowing him to apply insights on player development directly to the big-league roster. One notable example was his mentorship of infielder , whom he helped develop into a key contributor by improving his approach at the plate. Doerr left the Red Sox following Williams's departure in 1969 but re-entered coaching in 1977 as the inaugural hitting coach for the expansion Toronto Blue Jays, serving until 1981 and focusing on mentoring a roster of young, inexperienced hitters through intensive sessions and ongoing instruction. In this role, he emphasized fundamentals such as disciplined plate approach and contact hitting, drawing from his own career as a consistent line-drive batter to help build the foundation for the franchise's early development.

Personal life

Marriage and family

Bobby Doerr met Monica Rosamond Terpin, a red-headed schoolteacher from , during an off-season visit to the Rogue River area in the mid-1930s while playing . He was introduced to her by his trainer Les Cook at a local . The couple married in October 1938 in Cheshire, , forging a devoted partnership that endured for 65 years until Monica's death on December 17, 2003. Monica was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in the 1940s, a progressive disease that confined her to a in later years and required ongoing care, including after suffering strokes in 1999 and 2003. Despite these health challenges, she remained a pillar of support for Doerr throughout his major league career, managing family life in while he traveled extensively for games with the Red Sox. The Doerrs had one son, Don, born in the early 1940s, who followed his father's interest in by playing as a right-handed at the and in the semi-professional Basin League during the mid-1960s, though he did not advance to professional ranks. Public details on family dynamics are sparse, but Doerr balanced his demanding commitments with a strong sense of familial duty, later devoting much of his post-retirement life to caring for Monica amid her illness.

Residences and hobbies

In the late 1930s, Bobby Doerr relocated to , purchasing 160 acres of land near Agness along the Rogue River to embrace the region's outdoor lifestyle. This move allowed him to spend winters and on the property. By the 1950s, the Doerrs had shifted to —his wife's hometown—to provide better schooling for their son, establishing a permanent base there. Doerr maintained his long-term residence in Junction City until his death, living on a where he engaged in cattle ranching and contributed to local community efforts, such as co-founding the Bobby Doerr Classic Little League series to support youth . The farm setting suited his preference for a simple, self-sufficient routine, centered on and healthy living, which he sustained into his later years despite health challenges. Post-retirement, Doerr's hobbies revolved around the outdoors, particularly on the Rogue River—a passion he pursued for over 70 years, often targeting and half-pounders with handmade flies. He also enjoyed and maintained a personal collection of memorabilia, including the and from his 2,000th hit, reflecting his quiet appreciation for his career without seeking public attention. Doerr deliberately avoided the spotlight, favoring a low-key existence that emphasized family, , and modest daily habits over celebrity.

Legacy and honors

Major awards

Bobby Doerr's induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame occurred in 1986, when he was selected by the Veterans Committee after falling short on the ballot for 15 consecutive years. His selection highlighted his consistent performance as a , including leading the in fielding percentage four times and accumulating over 2,000 hits during his career with the Boston Red Sox. In 1944, he was named the . On May 21, 1988, the Boston Red Sox retired Doerr's uniform number 1 in a at , honoring his 14 seasons of service exclusively with the team and his status as one of the franchise's most reliable players. This made Doerr the second Red Sox player to have his number retired, following , and underscored his leadership and defensive prowess at second base. Doerr was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in 1995 as part of the inaugural class, recognizing his contributions both as a player and later as a coach for the organization. These honors collectively celebrated Doerr's to a single team and his steady excellence, including standout accolades like his 1944 MVP during nine appearances.

Records and lasting impact

Doerr's longevity in cemented his place in history as a bridge to the game's early modern era. He became the oldest living member of the Baseball Hall of Fame on June 18, 2015, surpassing Al Lopez at age 97 years and 72 days, and held that distinction until his death in 2017. As the last surviving major league player to appear in a game during —debuting with the Red Sox in 1937—Doerr represented the final living link to pre-World War II . Beyond his endurance, Doerr's impact extended through mentorship and his embodiment of the ideal . As a coach for the Red Sox in 1967, he guided key players like by adjusting batting stances and providing hands-on instruction, contributing to the team's "Impossible Dream" pennant win. Widely regarded as one of the most reliable infielders of his time, Doerr led second basemen in double plays five times and posted a career .980 fielding percentage, setting a major league standard for defensive consistency at the position until 1953. His steady leadership, often called the "Silent Captain" by , influenced teammates and reinforced the Red Sox's ethos of quiet professionalism. Despite his achievements, Doerr's legacy has been somewhat underrated, partly due to the Red Sox's lack of a World Series title during his playing career, which left him without the championship validation afforded to many peers. Yet, his unwavering loyalty to Boston—playing all 14 seasons there amid frustrations like the 1946 pennant loss—exemplified a culture of perseverance that resonated through the franchise, inspiring later generations to endure the "Curse of the Bambino" era without bitterness. This enduring influence was celebrated culturally, including "Bobby Doerr Day" at Fenway Park on August 2, 2007, marking the 60th anniversary of his original honor and featuring a pre-game ceremony with former teammates. In 2010, the Red Sox unveiled "The Teammates" statue outside Fenway, depicting Doerr alongside Ted Williams, Johnny Pesky, and Dom DiMaggio in a symbol of their lifelong bond and contributions to the team.

Death and tributes

Bobby Doerr died on November 13, 2017, in , at the age of 99 from natural causes, seven months after his 99th birthday. His passing marked a symbolic end to an era in , as Doerr outlived all other major league players from , becoming the last surviving member of that generation. The Boston Red Sox organization released an official statement expressing profound grief, with Principal Owner John Henry noting, "Bobby Doerr was part of an era of baseball giants and still stood out as the greatest Red Sox of all time." Chairman added, "Bobby’s life is one we salute not only for its longevity, but for its grace. He set the standard for what it means to be a good teammate." President and CEO Sam Kennedy remarked, "Bobby was a special player on the field and an even better human being off the field." Remembrances poured in across , with the National Baseball Hall of Fame honoring Doerr as a "giant in the game" whose consistency and humility defined his legacy. His funeral in Junction City was attended by close family members and the families of his former teammates, reflecting the enduring bonds from his playing days.

References

  1. https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/doerr-bobby
  2. https://www.mlb.com/player/bobby-doerr-113419
  3. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bobby-doerr/
  4. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/hero/Bobby_Doerr_Biography.shtml
  5. https://baseballhall.org/discover-more/stories/baseball-history/the-captain-speaks
  6. https://www.latimes.com/local/obituaries/la-me-bobby-doerr-20171114-story.html
  7. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=doerr-001rob
  8. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Bobby_Doerr
  9. https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/april-20-1937-bobby-doerr-goes-3-for-5-in-his-debut/
  10. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/doerrbo01.shtml
  11. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/joe-cronin/
  12. https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/may-17-1944-bostons-bobby-doerr-hits-for-the-cycle-in-browns-good-sloppy-indifferent-romp/
  13. https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1946_WS.shtml
  14. https://www.mlb.com/video/doerr-s-two-run-home-run-c1866891883
  15. https://www.baseballinwartime.com/player_biographies/doerr_bobby.htm
  16. https://americanveteranscenter.org/avc-media/magazine/wwiichronicles/wwii-chronicles-issue-xxxix/baseball-goes-to-war-the-national-pastime-in-world-war-ii/
  17. https://www.nytimes.com/1951/09/23/archives/doerr-to-retire-as-active-player.html
  18. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-5081199/Red-Sox-great-Bobby-Doerr-dies-99.html
  19. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/bobby-doerr
  20. https://www.mlb.com/press-release/red-sox-mourn-the-passing-of-hall-of-famer-bobby-doerr-261859924
  21. https://cooperstownersincanada.com/2011/02/21/hall-of-famer-bobby-doerr-coached-with-the-blue-jays/
  22. https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-celtics/2017/11/17/danny-ainge-recalls-bobby-doerr-as-a-caring-mentor/
  23. https://www.amff.org/bobby-doerr-half-pounders-rogue-river-love-fly-fishing-memorial-friend/
  24. https://www.southcoasttoday.com/story/sports/2006/10/15/rogue-player/50397827007/
  25. https://ancestors.familysearch.org/en/MT9Y-VPR/robert-pershing-doerr-1918-2017
  26. https://www.oregonencyclopedia.org/articles/doerr_robert_pershing_bobby_1918_/
  27. https://katu.com/news/local/boston-red-sox-great-bobby-doerr-dies-at-99-in-junction-city-ore
  28. https://bostonbaseballhistory.com/happy-97th-birthday-bobby-doerr/
  29. https://nbc16.com/news/local/wish-i-could-have-saw-him-play-rip-bobby-doerr-of-junction-city-mlb-hall-of-famer
  30. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/1125725/2019/08/26/a-role-model-for-the-ages-inside-the-special-bond-between-danny-ainge-and-bobby-doerr/
  31. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-oct-15-sp-doerrdog15-story.html
  32. https://sportscollectorsdigest.com/news/bobby-doerr-red-sox-interview
  33. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/03/11/sports/doerr-lombardi-make-hall-of-fame.html
  34. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/awards.php?p=doerrbo01
  35. https://www.mlb.com/redsox/team/photos/bos-retired-numbers
  36. https://www.mlb.com/redsox/history/red-sox-hall-of-fame
  37. https://baseballhall.org/discover-more/news/bobby-doerr-becomes-oldest-hall-of-famer
  38. https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/14/obituaries/bobby-doerr-dead-red-sox.html
  39. https://www.bostonherald.com/2023/10/10/1967-red-sox-players-fondly-recall-the-impossible-dream-season/
  40. https://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/redsox/2017/11/14/bobby-doerr-was-best-red-sox-ever-had-second-base/wTtXhAyGkQ0a0oUyHwzIgI/story.html
  41. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=doerrbo01
  42. https://www.masslive.com/sports/2017/11/remembering_bobby_doerr_always.html
  43. https://thisgreatgame.com/bobby-doerr/
  44. https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2007/08/02/bobby_doerr_day/
  45. https://www.boston.com/sports/boston-red-sox/2010/06/09/the_boston_red/
  46. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/21409314/boston-red-sox-great-bobby-doerr-dies-99
  47. https://baseballhall.org/discover/hall-of-fame-remembers-bobby-doerr
  48. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/185194844/bobby-doerr
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