A talented catcher and manager who played 11 All-Star games and won four Gold Glove Awards, known for his strong defensive skills and leadership on the field.
Del Crandall, the American professional baseball player and manager, is renowned for his remarkable 18-year career as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB), earning an impressive 11 All-Star appearances and anchoring the Boston/Milwaukee Braves to their 1957 World Series victory.
Born on March 5, 1930, in Ontario, California, Delmar Wesley Crandall was the second of three children to Richard and Nancy Crandall, citrus-packaging industry employees. Raised in Fullerton, California, Crandall attended Fullerton Union High School, where he excelled as a catcher for the school team and the local American Legion Baseball team.
Crandall's professional journey began when the Boston Braves signed him as an amateur free agent before the 1948 season. After a brief stint in the minor leagues (1948-1949), he made his MLB debut on June 17, 1949, at the age of 19. Over the next two seasons, Crandall played 146 games for Boston before entering military service during the Korean War.
Upon his return in 1953, the Braves had relocated to Milwaukee, where Crandall seized the regular catcher's job and held it for eight years. He skillfully handled the team's ace pitchers, including Warren Spahn, Lew Burdette, and Bob Buhl, and was an integral part of the team's success during that period.
Crandall's remarkable defensive skills, which included leading the National League in assists a record-tying six times, fielding percentage four times, and putouts three times, cemented his status as one of the top defensive catchers of his era.
In addition to his on-field achievements, Crandall served as a manager for the Milwaukee Brewers (1972-1975) and Seattle Mariners (1983-1984), leaving an indelible mark on the game he loved.
As the last living player to have played for the Boston Braves, Crandall's legacy extends beyond his individual accomplishments. He bridged the gap between the team's Boston and Milwaukee eras, serving as a testament to the Braves' rich history and tradition of excellence.
Crandall's passing on May 5, 2021, at the age of 91, marked the end of an era, but his contributions to the game will continue to inspire future generations of players and fans alike.
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