Ernie Lombardi
| Ernie Lombardi | |||
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| Catcher | |||
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Born: April 6, 1908 Oakland, California |
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Died: September 26, 1977 (aged 69) Santa Cruz, California |
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| MLB debut | |||
| April 15, 1931, for the Brooklyn Robins | |||
| Last MLB appearance | |||
| September 17, 1947, for the New York Giants | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .306 | ||
| Home runs | 190 | ||
| Runs batted in | 990 | ||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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| Member of the National | |||
 Baseball Hall of Fame
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| Inducted | 1986 | ||
| Election Method | Veteran's Committee | ||
Ernesto Natali "Ernie" Lombardi (April 6, 1908 – September 26, 1977), was an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher for the Brooklyn Robins, the Cincinnati Reds, the Boston Braves, and the New York Giants during a career that spanned 17 years, from 1931 through 1947. He had several nicknames, including "Schnozz", "Lumbago", "Bocci", "The Cyrano of the Iron Mask" and "Lom". He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986.
Baseball writer Bill James called Lombardi "the slowest man to ever play major league baseball well." The fact that he was so slow spoke to what an outstanding hitter he was. Lombardi was an All-Star for seven seasons, he hit over .300 for ten seasons and finished his major league career with a .306 batting average despite infields playing very deep for the sloth-like baserunner. He is listed at 6'3" and 230 lbs, but he probably approached 300 lbs towards the end of his career. He was also known as a gentle giant and this made him hugely popular among Cincinnati fans.
Lombardi grew up in Oakland. He attended McClymonds High School, the same school from which baseball star Frank Robinson and basketball star Bill Russell later graduated.
Lombardi started his professional baseball career for his hometown Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League. He hit well (over .350 with power in 1929 and 1930) and had a strong arm. His talents were soon noticed by the Brooklyn Robins, who purchased his contract for $50,000.
Lombardi played his rookie season for the Robins in 1931 and played well (batting .297). Brooklyn had too many quality catchers at the time and Robins manager Wilbert Robinson contemplated using the strong-armed Lombardi as a pitcher. He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds shortly before the start of spring training for the 1932 season. Lombardi flourished in his first year for Cincinnati, batting .303 with 11 home runs and 68 runs batted in. In 1935, he hit .343, but was not selected as an All-Star until 1936, when he hit .333 that season. In 1937, he hit .334 and made the All-Star team that season. In 1938, he was selected as an All-Star again, and hit a league-leading .342 with 19 home runs, drove in 95 runs, and won the National League (NL) Most Valuable Player Award. Lombardi became one of the Reds' most productive and popular players. He was the catcher for left-hander Johnny Vander Meer's back-to-back no-hitters, accomplished on June 11 and June 15, 1938. Vander Meer's feat has never been matched. Lombardi was an All-Star the next two seasons, his hitting skills and leadership helped the Reds to the National League pennant in 1939 and 1940, and the World Series title in 1940.
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