Ed Bouchee – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Ed Bouchee’s baseball career is a tale of a young player with huge promise, whose time in the major leagues ended too soon because of personal struggles and circumstances he just couldn’t control. Born Edward Francis Bouchee in 1933, this left-handed first baseman really turned heads during his rookie season with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1957. People saw him as one of baseball’s most exciting young stars.

Bouchee retired from professional baseball in 1962 at just 29 years old. He wrapped up a seven-season career that spanned three National League teams, with both high points and some rough patches.

He played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets. The Mets picked him in the 1961 expansion draft, making him one of their original players.

From his days as a multi-sport athlete in Spokane, Washington, to his last appearance in a Mets uniform, Bouchee’s career really shows how complicated life in pro sports can get. His story covers his big rookie year, the personal issues that interrupted things, and how he managed life after baseball. It gives a glimpse into the hope and pressure players faced back in baseball’s so-called golden age.

Early Life and Amateur Baseball

Edward Francis Bouchee was born on March 7, 1933, in Livingston, Montana. His family later moved to Spokane, Washington.

He spent his early years at Lewis and Clark High School, where he first started showing off his baseball talents. Then, like a lot of young men in that era, he served in the military during the Korean War, which interrupted his athletic growth.

Birth and Family Background

Edward Francis Bouchee was born on March 7, 1933, in Livingston, Montana. When he was still a kid, his family moved to Spokane, Washington.

The Bouchee family put down roots in the Pacific Northwest. This part of the country ended up shaping Ed’s early years, both as a student and an athlete.

Growing up in Spokane gave Ed a chance to play in organized baseball programs. The city’s baseball community played a big part in helping him develop his skills.

High School and Early Achievements

Ed went to Lewis and Clark High School in Spokane, Washington. That school became the launching pad for his baseball journey.

During high school, he started standing out as a talented first baseman. Scouts and coaches noticed his left-handed swing.

Lewis and Clark High School’s baseball team gave Ed a solid foundation. Facing tough competition there helped him sharpen his game.

His strong performances in high school caught the eye of professional scouts. That early attention turned out to be a big deal for his future in baseball.

College Baseball Years

There’s not much info about Ed Bouchee’s college baseball days. Honestly, a lot of players back then skipped college and jumped straight into pro ball or military service.

In the early 1950s, baseball development looked a lot different than it does now. College programs weren’t as structured or as big a deal as they are today.

Ed probably skipped the usual college route and went straight for professional baseball. That was pretty normal for gifted players who got early offers.

Military Service and Its Impact

The draft pulled Ed Bouchee into military service near the end of the Korean War. That put a real pause on his baseball growth.

Military duty forced Ed to miss two entire seasons. The timing stung—it happened right when he needed to be developing as an athlete.

A lot of young athletes from Ed’s generation faced the same thing. Military service often delayed baseball careers.

Still, Ed’s time in the military gave him discipline that later helped in pro baseball. He came out of service ready to chase his big league dream.

Once he finished his military obligations, Ed was set to begin his pro baseball journey. The Philadelphia Phillies eventually gave him his shot in 1956.

Major League Debut and Rookie Season

Ed Bouchee made his MLB debut with the Philadelphia Phillies in September 1956, when he was 23. That set the stage for a pretty eye-opening rookie year in 1957.

He quickly earned a spot as one of baseball’s top newcomers, ending up as runner-up for Rookie of the Year.

Joining the Philadelphia Phillies

Bouchee stepped onto a major league field for the first time on September 19, 1956, at Connie Mack Stadium, facing the Cincinnati Reds. He drew a walk in his first plate appearance against Johnny Klippstein.

Just two days later, he picked up his first big league hit at the Polo Grounds. Bouchee smacked a ninth-inning RBI double off New York Giants lefty Johnny Antonelli, kicking off his MLB career.

The Phillies got Bouchee’s rights through their agreement with the Spokane Indians. After a strong minor league showing, hitting .294 with 17 homers at Triple-A Miami, the Phillies called him up for the end of the 1956 season.

1957 Rookie of the Year Runner-Up

Bouchee’s 1957 rookie season was something special. He hit .293 with 17 home runs and 76 RBIs as the Phillies’ starting first baseman.

The Sporting News named him their 1957 Rookie Player of the Year. He also landed on the All-Rookie team and even received some MVP votes.

Key 1957 Statistics:

• Batting Average: .293
• Home Runs: 17
• RBIs: 76
• On-Base Percentage: .394
• Slugging Percentage: .470

Despite those numbers, Bouchee finished second in the official National League Rookie of the Year voting. His teammate, pitcher Jack Sanford, took the award.

Notable Rookie Year Performances

Bouchee’s rookie year had some standout moments. On April 20, 1957, he went 4-for-4 with a home run, a double, three runs scored, and two RBIs in a 6-5 win over the Giants.

He hit his first career home run that day too, a solo shot off Max Surkont. That blast gave fans a taste of the power he’d bring to the game.

On July 6, Bouchee hammered a three-run homer off future Hall of Famer Don Drysdale at Ebbets Field. That shot helped the Phillies beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 9-4 during a tight race for first place.

Bouchee showed real patience at the plate, drawing 84 walks in his rookie campaign. Six of those were intentional, which shows pitchers already respected his bat.

Career with the Philadelphia Phillies

Ed Bouchee spent his most important years in the majors with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1956 to 1960. He became the team’s main first baseman, had a breakout rookie year, and faced some tough personal challenges that led to a temporary absence.

Key Seasons and Statistics

Bouchee’s MLB debut with the Phillies came on September 19, 1956, when he drew a walk against the Cincinnati Reds. Two days later, he got his first hit, an RBI double off Johnny Antonelli.

The 1957 season was his big breakout. He finished with a .293 batting average, 17 home runs, and 76 RBIs. That impressive .293/.394/.470 line got him the Sporting News 1957 Rookie Player of the Year award.

Bouchee also showed patience, drawing 84 walks—six of them intentional. That kind of respect from pitchers isn’t easy to earn. He ended up second to teammate Jack Sanford for National League Rookie of the Year.

After missing a chunk of time in 1958, Bouchee bounced back in 1959, hitting .285 with 15 home runs and 74 RBIs for a Phillies team that wound up last in the league. His 1960 season with Philadelphia was cut short when he got traded to the Chicago Cubs.

Team Impact and Relationships

Bouchee won the Phillies’ starting first base job in 1957 after a hot spring training, blasting five home runs. His early play helped the Phillies get off to a surprisingly good start—they even tied for first place by mid-July.

Teammates really mattered to Bouchee, especially during his rough patches. When Commissioner Ford Frick allowed him to return in 1958, he had to room with star pitcher Robin Roberts. Roberts agreed, showing the team’s support.

Owner Bob Carpenter backed Bouchee by hiring pitchers to help him get back in shape during rehab. The team supported him, not just as a player, but as a person.

Bouchee’s power made him a key part of the Phillies’ offense. His 4-for-4 day on April 20, 1957, with his first home run, and his three-run homer against Don Drysdale at Ebbets Field, both stand out.

Challenges and Comebacks

Bouchee’s career hit its lowest point in January 1958, when police arrested him on morals charges in Spokane, Washington. He pled guilty to two counts of indecent exposure and got three years’ probation with mandatory medical treatment.

The Phillies sent Bouchee to the Institute for Living in Hartford, Connecticut, where he worked with Dr. Frank Braceland. Commissioner Frick suspended him until he cleared medical and legal hurdles.

Bouchee came back to Philadelphia in June 1958, kept up with treatment, and worked out with the team. By mid-June, he said, “the psychiatrists have well fortified me against just that type of thing,” and declared himself ready to return.

He made his comeback on July 3, 1958, at Milwaukee County Stadium against the Braves. After striking out in his first at-bat, he homered in the eighth to seal a 3-1 win. “I’m glad that’s over,” Bouchee said. “That was the tough one.”

He struggled to match his rookie numbers the rest of 1958, batting .257 with nine home runs. Still, his resilience—and the team’s support—kept him in the game until the trade to Chicago in 1960.

Transition to the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets

Bouchee’s career changed direction when the Phillies traded him to the Chicago Cubs in May 1960. That move marked the start of his last years in pro baseball.

Trade to the Chicago Cubs

On May 13, 1960, the Philadelphia Phillies sent Bouchee and pitcher Don Cardwell to the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs traded Tony Taylor and Cal Neeman to Philadelphia.

Bouchee’s numbers dipped in Chicago. He hit just .242 combined in 1960 with both teams, and his power faded compared to his Phillies days.

The 1961 season didn’t get much better. Bouchee played 112 games, batting .248 with 12 home runs and 38 RBIs. It was a clear drop from his rookie season.

He held the Cubs’ first base spot for two seasons, but his bat never really bounced back.

Expansion Draft and Move to the Mets

The New York Mets picked Bouchee as their 30th selection in the 1961 expansion draft. That made him one of the Mets’ original players when they started in 1962.

Bouchee became part of baseball history as an original Met. The expansion draft let the new team build a roster from existing big leaguers.

His role with the Mets was limited right from the start. The team didn’t use him much in 1962, probably because they wanted to see what their younger guys could do.

Final Season and Retirement

Bouchee’s last MLB season in 1962 didn’t go well. He played just 50 games for the Mets and hit .161, way below his career average.

After that rough start, Bouchee finished the year with the Syracuse Chiefs in the International League. He hit .287 in 80 games there, proving he still had some skills at the minor league level.

He played his final game on July 24, 1962. At age 29, Bouchee retired from professional baseball, closing out a seven-season MLB career with 61 home runs and a .265 average in 670 games.

Career Highlights and Playing Style

Ed Bouchee spent seven years in MLB, known for his powerful left-handed swing and steady defensive work at first base. His rookie season in 1957 really stood out—he took home Sporting News Rookie of the Year honors and put up some impressive numbers.

Offensive Contributions

Bouchee’s hitting game focused on driving in runs and working counts. In 1957, he hit .293 with 17 home runs and 76 RBIs for the Phillies.

That rookie year, he showed off his plate discipline. Bouchee drew 84 walks, with six of them intentional, which tells you pitchers didn’t want to mess with his power.

He definitely had some memorable power moments. On July 6, 1957, he launched a three-run homer off Don Drysdale at Ebbets Field. Earlier that year, he went 4-for-4 with a homer against the Giants.

After 1957, Bouchee’s offensive numbers dipped. He struggled with his weight and tried to keep it around 200-205 pounds, but it wasn’t easy.

Defensive Skills at First Base

Bouchee played first base for every team he joined. At 6 feet tall with a left-handed glove, he just fit the position.

The Phillies counted on him as their everyday first baseman during his best years. He gave them solid defense and chipped in offensively in the heart of their lineup.

He supported the pitching staff with reliable glove work at first. That steadiness let managers focus more on other spots around the infield.

Key Stats: RBI, Batting Average, Home Runs, Plate Appearances

Bouchee’s stats tell a story of both promise and some tough breaks.

Career Totals (1956-1962):

• Batting Average: .265
• Home Runs: 61
• RBIs: 290
• Games Played: 670

His 1957 rookie year was the big one. That .293/.394/.470 slash line really showed what he could do at the plate. He even got MVP votes that season.

He drove in 76 runs in 1957, which ended up being his best mark. His power peaked early, with 17 homers that year—he never quite got back to those numbers.

Bouchee played for three National League teams in his career. The Cubs and Mets picked him up later on. In 1961, he played 112 games for the Cubs, hitting .248 with 12 home runs.

Legacy and Life After Baseball

Ed Bouchee finished his baseball career at just 29, but he managed to leave a mark on the game. After 1962, Edward Francis Bouchee built a business career and stayed connected to baseball, even if it was behind the scenes.

Reputation and Influence in MLB

People in MLB mostly remember Bouchee for his fantastic rookie year and the challenges that came after. Winning the 1957 Sporting News Rookie Player of the Year award put him on the map as a first baseman. That season, he hit .293, knocked 17 home runs, and drove in 76 runs for the Phillies.

He experienced both athletic highs and personal struggles. Legal troubles in 1958 definitely cast a shadow over his later years in baseball. Still, Bouchee came back and earned respect from teammates and management.

Commissioner Ford Frick told Bouchee to room with Robin Roberts when he returned, showing how carefully the league handled his situation. Roberts agreed to support him, which says a lot about the respect Bouchee had in the clubhouse. Being able to keep playing after all that adversity became a real part of his story.

Life Post-Retirement

After he left pro baseball following the 1963 season, Bouchee switched gears and went into business. He moved to Chicago and worked as a warehouse supervisor for ACDelco. It was a big change from his days on the field.

Bouchee’s life after baseball seemed steady and grounded. He stayed in the Chicago area for a long time, building a career in the automotive parts world. Honestly, it’s kind of impressive how players from his era managed to build new lives after pretty short sports careers.

Eventually, Bouchee retired from business and headed out to Gilbert, Arizona. That move to a warmer place felt pretty typical for former athletes. He lived quietly in the Phoenix area, far from the spotlight he once knew.

Passing and Remembrance

Edward Francis Bouchee died at home in Gilbert, Arizona, on January 23, 2013. He was 79, and complications from diabetes took his life.

Baseball publications and Phillies fans talked about his passing, especially recalling his rookie season. Writers focused on his athletic achievements, but they also mentioned the tough times he faced during his career.

People in the baseball community saw him as a talented player whose career ended too soon. Circumstances outside his control really shaped his story.

He chose cremation, which matched his desire for privacy in his later years. Bouchee’s death took away another link to 1950s baseball, a time when players like him helped connect the classic era to what the game would eventually become.