A sure-enough nice guy, Bob Boyd starred in the Negro National League – hitting .352, .369 and .371 from 1947-49 for the Memphis Red Sox. In 1950 the 5 ft 10 inch, 170-pound Bob Boyd was the first black player to sign a contract with the White Sox. Sent to the minors he joined the club in ’51 and hit .167 in 12 games. Shipped back to the minors he rejoined team in ’53 hitting a solid .297 in 55 games. Back again to the minors Boyd was traded to the Orioles in ’56 and took over the team’s first base position. In Baltimore Bob Boyd batted .318 in 1957 with a career-best 73 runs scored and in 1958 hit .309 with career highs with 21 doubles and with 7 homers. baseballhistorian.com Bob Boyd MLB career stats: .293, 81 Ds, 23 Ts, 19 Hrs, 567 hits in 1936 at bats spanning 693 games. |