Al Lakeman – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Al Lakeman, who folks called “Moose,” played catcher in the big leagues for nine seasons before he finally hung up his cleats in 1954. He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on December 31, 1918, and ended up playing for four teams: the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Braves, and Detroit Tigers.

Lakeman wrapped up his career in 1954, appearing in just five games for the Detroit Tigers. On June 2 that year, the Tigers sold him to their Buffalo affiliate, which pretty much marked the end of his major league days.

He finished with a .203 batting average, which, yeah, shows the struggle backup catchers faced at the plate. Still, Lakeman brought a lot more to the table than just his stats.

He stood 6-foot-2 and weighed 195 pounds, and people respected how he handled pitching staffs and mentored younger guys. That was his real value through the years.

From the time he chose baseball over a possible boxing career to his later coaching days with the Boston Red Sox, Lakeman’s story is really about sticking with it and knowing the game. His path sheds light on what it was like for journeyman players in the ‘40s and ‘50s—especially those backup catchers who had to fight for roster spots and deal with some tough financial realities.

Early Life and Background

Al Lakeman was born on December 31, 1918, right in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in a pretty big family. There were eleven kids in the house, so you can imagine things got lively.

He didn’t start out big, but he became a multi-sport athlete and eventually picked baseball over boxing, which turned out to be a pretty important choice for him.

Birth and Hometown

Albert Wesley Lakeman arrived on New Year’s Eve, 1918, in Cincinnati. That timing made him one of the city’s more notable baseball prospects from back then.

Growing up in Cincinnati meant Lakeman got to see professional baseball up close. The city’s strong baseball tradition and the Cincinnati Reds gave local kids like him something to dream about.

Eventually, the Reds signed him as a local prospect, which just made sense. Fans always love a hometown player who connects with the community.

Family and Upbringing

Lakeman’s family had six boys and five girls—eleven kids in total. That kind of environment probably pushed him to be competitive and taught him how to work with others, both of which came in handy during his baseball career.

Growing up with so many siblings, he learned about sharing, competition, and sticking with things. Those lessons stuck with him as a pro.

People who played with him often said he was easy to get along with and worked well with all kinds of teammates. Maybe that came from all those years in a busy household.

Amateur Baseball Years

Lakeman didn’t just stick to baseball early on. He made a name for himself in football, swimming, and especially boxing in high school.

At first, he couldn’t even make the baseball team because he was too small. But then he shot up to 6’2″, 195 pounds, and suddenly, baseball started to make sense.

Boxing was a real option for him. In 1936, he won a Cincinnati Times-Star tournament and almost grabbed a Golden Gloves heavyweight title. The next year, he kept the newspaper’s crown and became the American Legion champ in his area.

He caught the eye of scouts on Cincinnati’s sandlots. In 1938, he grabbed the Ohio A.A.U. district boxing championship and qualified for nationals in Boston.

The tug-of-war between boxing and baseball finally ended when scout Ed Daly pointed him out to Cincinnati’s Frank Lane. Lakeman had to choose, and he picked baseball, turning pro at 19.

Professional Baseball Career

Al Lakeman played pro ball from 1942 to 1954, spending nine seasons as a catcher for four Major League teams. He started with his hometown Cincinnati Reds and finished up with the Detroit Tigers, carving out a role as a reliable backup catcher.

Major League Baseball Debut

Lakeman made his big league debut on April 19, 1942, for the Reds at age 23. He pinch-hit in that first game, but nothing much happened at the plate.

Just two days later, the Reds sent him back down to Syracuse in the minors. That trip didn’t last, though—Cincinnati called him back up on July 17, 1942, when they needed catching help.

The Reds had sold veteran catcher Ernie Lombardi to the Boston Braves the previous winter. That move opened up a spot behind the plate, and Lakeman, along with rookie Ray Lamanno, stepped in to fill the gap.

When he got back to the majors, Lakeman took Lombardi’s old number 4. The team released veteran Rollie Hemsley to make room for him, so Lakeman officially became a big leaguer.

Teams Played For

Lakeman suited up for four teams during his major league career:

Cincinnati Reds (1942-1947)
He spent most of his career with the Reds, mainly backing up more established catchers.
His best season came in 1945, when he played in 76 games.

Philadelphia Phillies (1947-1948)
The Phillies picked him up in a trade in 1947.
He backed up Andy Seminick and Howie Schultz, and even made his only big league pitching appearance in 1948.

Boston Braves (1949)
The Braves bought his contract in April 1949.
He only played in three games there and saw 19-year-old Del Crandall break in.

Detroit Tigers (1954)
His last stop in the majors.
He got into five games before the team sold him to Buffalo, ending his big league journey.

Notable Career Highlights

Lakeman’s career stats: .203 batting average, 15 home runs, and 66 RBIs in 239 games. His best offensive stretch came in 1945, when he drove in the winning run in both games of a doubleheader against Brooklyn on September 9.

On September 16, 1945, he delivered an 11th-inning single to beat the Boston Braves at Crosley Field. That was probably his clutchest moment, all during his busiest season with Cincinnati.

In 1948, Lakeman even tried pitching after impressing teammates in batting practice. He pitched once—on July 20, 1948, in Pittsburgh—and gave up a three-run homer on his first pitch to Eddie Fitz Gerald.

Despite his numbers at the plate, Lakeman finished with a .981 fielding average. He split his time between catching (84%) and first base (16%), showing he could handle different spots on defense.

Career Statistics and Performance

Lakeman played nine seasons from 1942 to 1954, putting up a .203 batting average, 15 home runs, and 66 RBIs in 239 games. His main value came from his defensive skills as a catcher, though he played some first base and even pitched a bit.

Batting Achievements

At the plate, Lakeman struggled. He finished with 131 hits in 646 at-bats.

His best year was 1945 with Cincinnati. That season, he hit .256 with 8 home runs and 31 RBIs in 76 games. It was the only year he really got a long look and put up league-average numbers.

He struck out 137 times and walked just 36 times. His on-base percentage was .248 and his slugging was .314, adding up to a .562 OPS—not exactly what teams wanted.

Career Offensive Totals:

• Games: 239
• Hits: 131
• Home Runs: 15
• RBIs: 66
• Runs Scored: 40
• Doubles: 17
• Triples: 5

Fielding Contributions

Lakeman stuck around because of his defense. He mostly caught, handling different pitching staffs for four teams.

The stats from back then show he held his own behind the plate. He managed a bunch of different pitchers in the National League.

He could do more than just catch. Sometimes, he played first base, and in a pinch, he’d even pitch. That kind of flexibility made him a solid utility player—the kind managers like to keep around.

He spent the most time with Cincinnati, playing parts of six seasons. The Reds valued his defense and knowledge, which kept him on the roster even when he wasn’t hitting.

Pitching Appearances

Lakeman wasn’t really a pitcher, but he did take the mound a few times when teams needed someone. These outings were rare and usually happened when the bullpen was running on fumes.

He didn’t pitch much, and the stats show that. Most of the time, he just filled innings in games that were already out of hand.

Still, it showed he knew the game and had a decent arm. Catchers who could pitch gave managers more options, especially back when teams had smaller rosters.

That kind of dual role happened more often in Lakeman’s era. He never seemed to mind stepping up when the team needed him.

Final Season and Retirement in 1954

Lakeman’s last year in the majors was 1954, capping off a nine-year career that started in 1942. He played his final five games with the Detroit Tigers and retired at 35, finishing up as a reliable backup for four clubs.

1954 Season Overview

In 1954, Lakeman tried to come back after five years away from the majors. He’d actually retired in 1949 after just three games with the Boston Braves.

The Detroit Tigers gave him another shot in 1954, but he only got into five games as a backup catcher.

His last big league game was on May 23, 1954, with the Tigers. That was it for his professional playing days at the top level.

He didn’t play much that year, mostly serving as an experienced veteran who could fill in behind the plate. At 35, he was definitely near the end for a catcher.

Retirement Decision

Lakeman retired in 1954 after he couldn’t find regular playing time during that short comeback. With a career batting average of .203, it was tough for him to compete as teams wanted more offense from their catchers.

Catching takes a toll, and at 6’2″, 195 pounds, Lakeman had spent years crouched behind the plate. That wears you down.

His age played a big part, too. At 35, he was older than most guys still playing, and younger catchers were coming up fast.

By 1954, he could still catch, but with not much hitting and fewer chances to play, it just didn’t make sense to keep going.

Legacy in Baseball

After playing, Lakeman stayed in baseball as a coach and manager. He managed in the Tigers’ farm system from 1956 to 1962, then again from 1965 to 1966 and in 1970.

His biggest post-playing moment came as bullpen coach for the Boston Red Sox in 1963-1964 and again from 1967-1969. He was part of the 1967 Red Sox team that won the American League pennant.

Career Statistics:

• Games played: 239
• Batting average: .203
• Home runs: 15
• RBI: 66
• Teams: Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Braves, Detroit Tigers

People respected Lakeman for his defense and his knack for working with pitchers. The nickname “Moose” fit his presence behind the plate and his steady role as a backup catcher.

Post-Retirement Life

When Al Lakeman wrapped up his playing career in 1954, he dove right into coaching and managing in professional baseball. He stuck with the sport for more than a decade, taking on different roles before eventually making South Carolina his home until he passed away in 1976.

Later Occupations

Lakeman kicked off his post-playing days as a minor league manager in 1956. He took charge of teams in the Detroit Tigers’ farm system, bouncing around Class C and D leagues in several states.

He managed for seven seasons, from 1956 to 1962. Over those years, he led 888 games and finished with a .471 winning percentage.

He spent time in leagues like the Alabama-Florida, Pioneer, New York-Pennsylvania, Carolina, and Northern Leagues. The variety probably kept things interesting, if nothing else.

In 1963, Lakeman made his way back to Major League Baseball as a coach. He joined the Boston Red Sox coaching staff under Johnny Pesky, working as bullpen coach from 1963 to 1964.

The two had already worked together in the Tigers’ farm system, so it wasn’t exactly new territory for either of them.

After a short break, Lakeman returned to coach for the Red Sox from 1967 to 1969. He worked under manager Dick Williams during that stretch.

His coaching helped shape young players and gave some much-needed guidance to those hoping to make it to the majors.

Community Involvement

There’s not a ton of information out there about Lakeman’s community involvement after retirement. He moved to South Carolina after marrying Margaret Merrill in 1940, back when he was playing for the Columbia Reds.

Lakeman and his wife settled in Spartanburg, South Carolina, mostly because she liked the warm weather. They’d already put down roots there during his time in the South Atlantic League.

He kept his ties to South Carolina strong throughout his life after baseball. The state stayed his home base, even though his coaching jobs took him to different cities for spring training and regular seasons.

Death and Memorial

Al Lakeman died on May 25, 1976, in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He was 57.

He’d been living in South Carolina since the early 1940s, ever since meeting Margaret. Lakeman was born on December 31, 1918, in Cincinnati, Ohio.

He spent over three decades in baseball, including nine seasons as a major league player and several years coaching and managing in the minors. Folks remember him as someone who truly gave a lot to the sport, both on the field and in the dugout.

People called him “Moose” because of his big 6’2″ frame, and the nickname stuck with him all through his baseball journey.

Al Lakeman’s Net Worth and Financial Overview

Al Lakeman’s finances pretty much matched the modest earnings most Major League players saw in the 1940s and 1950s. His estimated net worth of around $9 million comes from accumulating wealth during his playing days and later coaching work.

Career Earnings

Lakeman played from 1942 to 1954, suiting up for four different teams. Back then, baseball salaries were nowhere near what they are now.

Most players made between $5,000 and $15,000 a year during the ’40s and early ’50s. As a backup catcher, Lakeman likely earned on the lower end of that range.

His 12-year career gave him steady pay, even though he spent most of his time as a reserve. With a .203 career batting average, teams probably valued him more for his glove than his bat.

Switching teams, from the Cincinnati Reds to the Phillies, Braves, and Tigers, probably meant Lakeman had to deal with different contracts and pay scales. That might have changed his earning power along the way.

Financial Impact of Baseball Career

Lakeman took on coaching positions after his playing days, which helped supplement his baseball earnings. He returned to coach with the Boston Red Sox from 1963 to 1964, then came back again from 1967 to 1969.

These coaching gigs brought in some extra income, even if the salaries back then weren’t exactly huge. Still, coaching let former players like Lakeman stick around the game they loved.

The estimated $9 million net worth? That number probably includes a mix of investments and financial growth over the years. It’s more about what he managed to build up rather than just what he made on the field.

Baseball gave Lakeman financial stability at a time when player salaries were much lower than today. Fans knew him as “Moose”, but that popularity didn’t really lead to the big endorsement deals you see athletes land now.