Tom Hurd
PositionPitcher
BatsRight
ThrowsRight
Birth dateMay 27, 1924
Birth placeDanville, Virginia, U.S.
Death dateSeptember 5, 1982 (aged 58)
Death placeWaterloo, Iowa, U.S.
DebutleagueMLB
DebutdateJuly 30
Debutyear1954
DebutteamBoston Red Sox
FinalleagueMLB
FinaldateSeptember 29
Finalyear1956
FinalteamBoston Red Sox
StatleagueMLB
Stat1labelWin–loss record
Stat1value13–10
Stat3labelStrikeouts
Stat3value96
Stat2labelEarned run average
Stat2value3.96
Teams

Thomas Carr Hurd (May 27, 1924 – September 5, 1982) was an American professional baseball player, a middle-relief pitcher who appeared 99 games in Major League Baseball between 1954 and 1956 for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) tall and 155 pounds (70 kg), Hurd batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Danville, Virginia. He served in the United States Army during World War II.[1]

Career

Hurd's pro career lasted for 14 seasons (1946–49; 1951–60). It began as a shortstop in the Chicago White Sox' system, where he converted to pitching in 1948, and ended in the St. Louis Cardinals' organization. His tenure with the Red Sox began in July 1954 when, at age 30, he was purchased from the ChiSox' Charleston Senators Triple-A affiliate. He appeared in 16 games for Boston in his rookie season, then spent both and on the Red Sox' roster, working in 43 and 40 games. In 1956, Hurd's earned run average ballooned from 3.01 to 5.33. He would spend the rest of his pitching career in the minor league.

In his three-season major-league career, Hurd posted a 13–10 record with a 3.96 ERA and 11 saves, allowing 177 hits and 97 bases on balls, with 96 strikeouts, in 1861⁄3 innings of work. He enjoyed success in 1958 as the ace relief pitcher for the American Association and Junior World Series champion Minneapolis Millers. Pitching for manager Gene Mauch, Hurd posted a 1.65 earned run average in 52 games.

Family

Hurd was married to Peggy Wilson for 34 years and they had five children.

Death

Hurd died from cancer in Waterloo, Iowa, at age 58.[1]

References

  1. ^ Tom Hurd at Society for American Baseball Research

Sources