Bobo Newsom – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Louis Norman “Bobo” Newsom was honestly one of baseball’s most colorful and well-traveled characters. He pitched for two decades and wore the uniforms of nine different Major League Baseball teams.

Newsom hung up his glove in 1953 after 20 seasons, finishing with a unique distinction as one of only two pitchers to win more than 200 games while ending with a losing record at 211-222.

People started calling the right-hander “Bobo” because he called everyone else by that name. Maybe he just didn’t care to remember names, or maybe he just liked the sound of it.

Standing six-foot-three and weighing over 200 pounds, Newsom oozed confidence and often talked about himself in the third person. He’d say, “Ol’ Bobo is on the mound today and you can put it in the win column,” and honestly, who could argue?

From his humble beginnings in Hartsville, South Carolina, to his last days with the Philadelphia Athletics, Newsom’s journey through Major League Baseball was anything but boring. He overcame injuries, bounced between teams, and even faced personal tragedy.

He managed everything from no-hitters to World Series games, and he famously returned to the Washington Senators five times. He used to joke that he had more terms in Washington than President Roosevelt.

Early Life and Background

Louis Norman “Bobo” Newsom was born on August 11, 1907, in Hartsville, South Carolina. His parents were farmers, and their work ethic rubbed off on him early.

He grew up on the family farm and played high school baseball, which set the stage for his long career.

Family and Childhood in South Carolina

Louis Norman Newsom entered the world in Hartsville, South Carolina. His parents, Quilline Bufkin Newsom and Lillian Holmes Hicks, worked hard on their farm.

As a kid, the family called him “Buck.” That nickname stuck around, right alongside “Bobo,” once he got older.

The Newsoms lived on a farm in Swift Creek. Buck had two sisters and two older brothers, though he lost one brother early on.

Everyone pitched in with farm chores, which was just part of the daily routine.

Tragedy hit when Buck was seventeen. His mother died in a car accident in December 1924.

Not long after, his father remarried. It was a tough blow, and it changed the family.

Working the farm taught Newsom discipline and grit. Still, he dreamed of something bigger.

Even as a teenager, he set his sights on becoming a professional baseball player.

High School and Amateur Baseball

Buck went to Hartsville High School, where he started to make a name for himself on the diamond. He played shortstop at first, showing plenty of talent and a knack for leading his teammates.

His pitching career started almost by accident. One day, as team captain, he decided to relieve the pitcher during a game.

That split-second decision sent him down the path to becoming a pro pitcher.

After graduating from Hartsville High, Newsom attended Carlisle Prep School in Bamberg, South Carolina. That extra schooling gave him a little more polish before jumping into pro ball.

His high school and prep experiences gave him confidence and valuable experience. As captain, he proved he could take charge on the field.

Early Professional Career and Minor Leagues

Newsom started his professional career in 1928 with the Raleigh Capitals in the Class C Piedmont League. That first season? It was rough. He lost all five decisions with the team in North Carolina.

But he didn’t let the rough start get him down. He moved to Greenville in the Class D East Carolina League and really started to shine, finishing 15-6.

In 1929, he joined the Macon Peaches in the Class B Southern Association. That season was his breakout year in minor league baseball.

He posted a 19-18 record with a 3.87 ERA, which got the attention of major league scouts.

That strong showing in Macon led to his first shot in the majors. The Brooklyn Dodgers called him up late in the 1929 season, giving the 22-year-old his first taste of the big leagues.

MLB Debut and Career Progression

Bobo Newsom made his big league debut on September 11, 1929, with the Brooklyn Robins. He was only 22.

He spent 20 seasons in the majors, suiting up for nine different teams. Not many players have traveled that much.

Debut with Brooklyn Robins

Newsom got his start with the Brooklyn Robins on September 11, 1929. By then, he had already impressed people in the minors, after starting out with Raleigh in 1928.

The kid from Hartsville stood 6’3″ and weighed 200 pounds. He batted and threw right-handed and quickly established himself as a starting pitcher.

He stayed with the Robins through 1930. Later, the team became the Brooklyn Dodgers, and Newsom would find himself back there in 1942 and 1943.

Journeys Across Multiple MLB Teams

Newsom played for nine different teams between 1929 and 1953. He appeared in exactly 600 games and pitched over 3,759 innings.

He bounced between teams, sometimes more than once:

• Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers (1929-1930, 1942-1943)
• Chicago Cubs (1932)
• St. Louis Browns (1934-1935, 1938-1939, 1943)
• Washington Senators (1935-1937, 1942, 1943, 1946-1947, 1952)
• Boston Red Sox (1937)
• Detroit Tigers (1939-1941)
• Philadelphia Athletics (1944-1946, 1952-1953)
• New York Yankees (1947)
• New York Giants (1948)

All that moving around made him one of baseball’s true journeymen.

Notable Trades and Transfers

One of the biggest trades of his career happened on December 3, 1937. The Boston Red Sox sent him, Red Kress, and Buster Mills to the St. Louis Browns for Joe Vosmik.

He left the Detroit Tigers after a rough 1941 season, where he lost 20 games and won only 12. General manager Jack Zeller tried to cut his salary, which didn’t sit well with Newsom.

Newsom’s reply to Zeller became part of baseball lore. When Zeller mentioned his 20 losses, Newsom shot back about Zeller losing 91 players to league violations.

He wrapped up his career with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1953 at age 45. He finished with a 211-222 record, making him only the second pitcher after Jack Powell to win at least 200 games with a losing record.

Pitching Style and Achievements

Bobo Newsom gained a reputation as one of baseball’s most determined pitchers. He racked up 211 wins and 2,082 strikeouts over 20 years.

With a 3.98 ERA and a stubborn refusal to leave the mound, Newsom became a tough opponent in the American League.

Signature Pitching Techniques

Newsom was famous for his durability and just flat-out refusing to leave games. His most legendary moment came on May 28, 1935, when Earl Averill of Cleveland smashed a line drive into his left kneecap in the third inning.

Manager Bucky Harris came out to check on him, but Newsom told him, “You kidding me? I said it was broke, I didn’t say I was dead.” He finished the game with a broken kneecap.

Barrel-chested and over 200 pounds, Newsom approached each game with a set of quirky superstitions. He always scooped dirt from both sides of the first-base line on his way to the mound.

He insisted on pitching complete games. His rosin bag had to be exactly one foot behind the mound, and he made sure to clear away any paper scraps before he started.

Strikeouts and ERA Performance

Over his career, Newsom struck out 2,082 batters and posted a 3.98 ERA in 600 games. His best season came in 1940 with the Detroit Tigers, when he put up a 2.83 ERA and went 21-5.

In 1938, pitching for the St. Louis Browns, he became only the second major league pitcher to win 20 games with an ERA over 5.00. He finished that year 20-16 with a 5.07 ERA.

Playing for weak teams often hurt his stats. Many of his 222 career losses came while pitching for struggling clubs like the Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Browns, and Washington Senators.

In 1934, Newsom led the American League in losses and walks while pitching for the sixth-place Browns. Still, he also led the league in innings pitched, games started, and complete games in 1938.

Major Career Wins and Records

Newsom finished with 211 wins and 222 losses, making him part of a very short list of pitchers to win over 200 games and still finish with a losing record. His 51.1 WAR showed his value, even though he played for some pretty bad teams.

His most remarkable game came on September 18, 1934, when he threw nine no-hit innings against the Boston Red Sox. He lost the game 2-1 after Boston scored twice in the tenth.

The 1940 World Series brought out his best—and maybe his most emotional—pitching. He won Game 1 against Cincinnati 7-2, but his father died of a heart attack the next morning after watching him pitch.

Newsom came back to pitch Game 5 on short rest and threw a three-hit shutout, winning 8-0. He started Game 7 with just one day of rest but lost 2-1 to Paul Derringer, ending Detroit’s championship run.

All-Star Selections and Honors

Newsom never made an All-Star team, but people recognized his steady performance over two decades. His 1940 season with Detroit was his peak, leading the Tigers to the American League pennant by a single game over Cleveland.

His 21 wins in 1940 topped the American League. That 2.83 ERA put him among the best pitchers that year.

The Yankees gave him a World Series ring in 1947, but only a three-quarter share of the Series money. When he got his ring made, Newsom joked to the jeweler, “Just make it three-quarters size, that’s all I’m worth in this city.”

He played until age 46 in 1953, which is pretty wild for a pitcher. His 20-year career stretched from 1929 to 1953, and he moved through nine teams in 17 different transactions.

Highlights of Bobo Newsom’s Career

Bobo Newsom’s 20 years in baseball included remarkable achievements and some tough setbacks. His 1940 season with Detroit stands out, leading the team to the pennant and a World Series that mixed triumph with personal tragedy.

Outstanding Seasons and Setbacks

Newsom’s best season came in 1940 with the Detroit Tigers. He went 21-5 with a 2.83 ERA, helping Detroit take the American League pennant by just one game over Cleveland.

He also had strong seasons with weaker teams. In 1938, pitching for the St. Louis Browns, he became only the second pitcher in major league history to win 20 games with an ERA over 5.00, finishing 20-16 with a 5.07 ERA.

In 1939, he started 3-1 with St. Louis before a May trade sent him to Detroit, where he finished up 17-10.

Not every season was kind to him. In 1941, he went 12-20 with Detroit—a big swing from his previous success. The Tigers scored 200 fewer runs than the year before, partly because Hank Greenberg left for military service.

Newsom’s career totals—211 wins and 222 losses—made him one of only two pitchers to win over 200 games while ending up with a losing record. Jack Powell was the other guy who pulled off that odd feat.

1940 World Series Performance

The 1940 World Series against Cincinnati brought Newsom both his greatest triumph and his deepest tragedy. He grabbed Game 1 with a 7-2 win over the Reds.

That night, his father suffered a heart attack after watching his son pitch. He’d only seen Newsom play twice in his life.

The elder Newsom died the next morning in his Cincinnati hotel room. While his family returned to South Carolina, Newsom stayed with the team.

He pitched Game 5 on pure emotion, shutting out Cincinnati 8-0 and allowing just three hits.

“When the president comes to see Ol’ Bobo pitch he ain’t gonna let him down,” Newsom once said. He always seemed to step up under pressure.

With the Series tied 3-3, Newsom took the mound for Game 7 on just one day’s rest. He pitched his heart out but lost 2-1 to Paul Derringer, ending Detroit’s championship hopes.

Notable Games and Milestones

On September 18, 1934, Newsom pitched a no-hitter through nine innings against the Boston Red Sox. Boston finally got a hit in the tenth and won 2-1.

His toughness became almost mythical in a 1935 game against Cleveland. Earl Averill smashed a line drive that broke Newsom’s kneecap in the third inning.

When manager Bucky Harris asked if he should pull him, Newsom shot back, “You kidding me? I said it was broke, I didn’t say I was dead.”

He kept pitching, telling teammates after every inning that his knee was broken. They laughed, thinking he was kidding, but X-rays later showed he was right.

In 1936, Newsom started the Washington Senators’ home opener with President Roosevelt in the stands. A throw from third baseman Ossie Bluege hit Newsom’s jaw in the fourth inning, but he finished the game and won.

Newsom’s durability really stood out. He appeared in 600 games over his career, finishing many starts despite injuries.

He played for nine different teams during his two decades in the majors.

Retirement and Legacy

Bobo Newsom wrapped up his career in 1953 at age 46, ending a wild 26-year journey through professional baseball. His big personality and grit left a mark on teammates, opponents, and fans all over Major League Baseball.

Final Games and Retirement in 1953

Newsom split his final season between the Washington Senators and Philadelphia Athletics. His last appearance came on September 17, 1953, against Cleveland when he was 46.

He pitched one inning, gave up two hits, and didn’t strike out or walk anyone. Newsom announced his retirement in November 1953 from Orlando, Florida.

At that point, he was the last active player who had played in the 1920s. His career spanned 139 minor league victories and 350 total professional wins.

Newsom finished his Major League Baseball career with a 211-222 record. Only 29 players in history have appeared in games across four decades.

His durability and longevity set him apart from most pitchers of his time.

Reputation Among Fans and Peers

People remember Newsom for helping out rookies. Hank Greenberg said Bobo would treat young players to dinner and offer advice.

Despite his bragging and colorful personality, players respected his determination and work ethic. In 1943, Newsom’s teammates at Brooklyn showed their loyalty.

When manager Leo Durocher suspended him for the season, the whole team threatened to strike. Arky Vaughan even handed his uniform to Durocher in protest.

Newsom got the nickname “Bobo” because he called everyone that—he couldn’t remember names. At six-foot-three and over 200 pounds, he was a force on the mound.

He loved to say, “Ol’ Bobo is on the mound today and you can put it in the win column.”

Influence on Future Pitchers

Newsom’s complete-game mentality inspired a lot of pitchers. He finished 246 complete games during his career.

He pitched through injuries, like that broken kneecap in 1935, and that story became legendary. He bounced around, playing for nine different Major League teams, and showed everyone how to adapt to new places and expectations.

His superstitions and mound presence rubbed off on future players. Newsom’s attention to mound conditions and his little rituals became part of baseball folklore.

Pitchers still talk about some of his quirks today.

Personal Life, Later Years, and Death

Bobo Newsom married twice and had two children. He faced personal tragedy and some tough financial times after baseball.

He died at age 55 from cirrhosis of the liver in 1962, and people still remember him as one of the game’s most colorful characters.

Family and Personal Anecdotes

Newsom first married Bessie Lucille Arant on February 17, 1927, in Chesterfield, South Carolina. They had two kids: daughter Norma Jean and son Alan. That marriage ended in divorce.

Later, he married Kay Griffiths, who was born Ruth Griffith. She’d taken her stage name when Newsom met her singing at the Wardman Park Hotel in Washington, D.C.

This second marriage lasted until he died. Tragedy struck early for Newsom.

His mother, Lillian Holmes Hicks, died in a car accident in December 1924 when he was just seventeen. His father remarried soon after.

The most heartbreaking moment of his career happened during the 1940 World Series. After Newsom beat Cincinnati 7-2 in Game One, his father suffered a heart attack and died the next morning.

Despite his grief, Newsom stayed and pitched Game Five, shutting out the Reds 8-0 on only three hits.

Health Issues and Passing

After retiring from baseball in 1953, Newsom struggled with financial difficulties. He worked as a door-to-door salesman and sold life insurance to get by.

In 1948, he bought and ran a drive-in diner, complete with girl carhops on roller skates. Newsom eventually retired to Winter Park, Florida, where he spent his last years.

His health got worse because of his fight with alcoholism. On December 7, 1962, Louis Norman “Bobo” Newsom died from cirrhosis of the liver in an Orlando sanitarium.

He was just 55. Chronic alcohol abuse had badly damaged his liver.

His wife Kay, daughter Norma Jean Nicolai, and son Alan survived him. Newsom was buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Hartsville, South Carolina, right back where his baseball journey started.

Tributes, Recognitions, and Cultural References

Even though his winning percentage sat at .487, Newsom’s colorful personality and grit made him stand out in baseball history. Only 29 players have managed to appear in Major League games across four decades—he’s one of them.

He bounced around, playing for nine different teams. He kept coming back to Washington, Brooklyn, and Philadelphia, which turned him into the ultimate journeyman pitcher. Newsom liked to joke that he had more terms in Washington than President Roosevelt ever did.

Baseball historians still talk about Newsom’s stats. His WAR (Wins Above Replacement) actually sits higher than several Hall of Fame pitchers, like Hoyt Wilhelm, Jim Kaat, Herb Pennock, and Dizzy Dean.

Newsom’s story really captures the golden age of baseball. It also hints at the personal struggles so many players faced once their careers ended. He just kept pitching, even through injuries and personal tragedy, showing off the kind of grit you’d expect from Depression-era ballplayers.