All-Time Indians: Dick Porter

Dick Porter was not selected out of high school for a Major League Baseball team, but joined the International League Baltimore Orioles in 1921 at the age of 19. After six seasons and 54 home runs with the Orioles, he was finally signed by a Major League franchise in 1929 at the age of 27 by the Cleveland Indians. As often happens, a late start lead to a short career, but it was a very bright one in an often ignored time of Indians history between their first (and only) two championships.

In 1920, when the Indians won their first World Series, they had an incredible outfield of Tris Speaker, Elmer Smith and Charlie Jamieson, but by 1929 there was an entirely new lineup in town outside of Jamieson and Joe Sewell. Replacing the right and center fielders were Bibb Falk and a rookie, who would ultimately become one of the greatest hitters in Indians history, Earl Averill. Since Jamieson was 36 and in 15th professional season, he was no longer playing every day and since Falk was less than spectacular at the plate, the Tribe had room for a few more outfielders and Dick Porter was able to grab quite a bit of playing time during his first professional season. That year, he batted .328 and knocked in 24 runs in just 71 games.

With an impressive rookie campaign, Porter earned an increased role in 1930 as he, Jamieson and Averill created a potent force in the outfield. The aging Falk was pushed further down in the depth chart as Porter played 119 games, batting .350/.420/.498 (all career highs) and scoring 100 runs as a great set up man from Averill, Johnny Hodapp and Ed Morgan. In addition to being Porter’s best season, this was one of the best seasons for the Indians offense in team history with three batters knocking in at least 100, four scoring at least 100, two with at least 200 hits and five starters with an average of at least .300.

The Indians outfield only got better in 1931 when they added Joe Vosmik as the primary left fielder as Jamieson was used in more of a veteran support role. Again Porter hit over .3oo (.312) in 114 games, scoring another 82 runs, although his season was overshadowed as Averill set the single season record for runs scored with 140 while knocking in a team record (at the time) 143 runs as well. In addition to his offense, Porter provided solid defense in right, coming in second in fielding percent in 1931, then first in both 1932 and 1933.

In 1932, Porter posted his fourth (and last) consecutive season with an average above .300 (.308), knocking in another 60 despite just four home runs and scoring 106 runs off 191 hits, both career highs. He would play one more full season in 1933, his final full season in Cleveland, batting just .267 with another 73 runs scored. He would play just 14 more games in 1934 before being traded to Boston along with another Indian great, Wes Ferrell, in exchange for Bob Seeds and Bob Weiland. While this would be the final season for Porter, Ferrell would go on to pitch another 179 games and win 91 with neither Seeds or Weiland amounting for much for the Tribe.

Despite his short period with the team and short MLB career overall, Porter still finished as one of the greatest right fielders in Indians history. In addition to his impressive single season numbers, he ranks third among right fielders in average and sixth in OBP while hitting 146 doubles and scoring 396 runs.

After finishing the 1933 year with the Red Sox, Porter attempted to continue his career in 1935 and 1936 with the Yankees and 1937 with the Reds before becoming a minor league player/manager in 1938. He stayed with the Syracuse Chiefs as a player/manager through 1940 after which he spent one season with the Addison Seals before completely parting from professional baseball. He died just 34 years later in 1974.