Al Lakeman

Al Lakeman
Catcher
Born: (1918-12-31)December 31, 1918 Cincinnati
Died: Spartanburg, South Carolina
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 19, 1942, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
May 23, 1954, for the Detroit Tigers
MLB statistics
Batting average	.203
Home runs	15
Runs batted in	66
Teams
Cincinnati Reds (1942–1947) Philadelphia Phillies (1947–1948) Boston Braves (1949) Detroit Tigers (1954)

Albert Wesley Lakeman (December 31, 1918 – May 25, 1976) was a catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds (1942–47), Philadelphia Phillies (1947–48), Boston Braves (1949) and Detroit Tigers (1954). Lakeman batted and threw right-handed, and was listed as 6 feet 2 inches (1.88 m) tall and 195 pounds (88 kg). Nicknamed "Moose", he was a native of Cincinnati.

The light-hitting Lakeman was a fine defensive catcher as he took responsibility for getting the most out of his pitchers. For most of his nine-career in the Majors, he was an efficient, reliable backup playing behind Ray Mueller (Reds} and Andy Seminick (Phillies). His most productive season came in 1945 with Cincinnati, when he posted career-highs in games played (76, including 72 games as starting backstop as the Reds' most-used catcher), batting average (.256), home runs (eight), RBI (31) and runs (22).

In a nine-season career, Lakeman was a .203 hitter with 15 home runs and 66 RBI in 239 games. After his playing career ended, he managed in the Tigers' farm system (1956–62; 1965–66; 1970) and served two terms as the bullpen coach at the Major League level for the Boston Red Sox (1963–64; 1967–69). He was on the coaching staff of Boston's 1967 American League champions.

Lakeman died in Spartanburg, South Carolina, at age 57.

External links

• Baseball Library
• Baseball Reference
• Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers

Preceded by Len Okrie Len Okrie

Boston Red Sox Bullpen Coach 1963–1964 1967–1969

Succeeded by Len Okrie Doug Camilli