Boudreau, Lou (1917-2001), an American baseball player, was a great shortstop and manager in the American League. Boudreau became player-manager of the Cleveland Indians (now called the Cleveland Guardians) in 1942, when he was 24 years old. He was one of the youngest managers in major league history. Boudreau led the American League in batting in 1944. He was the league’s Most Valuable Player in 1948, leading Cleveland to the American League pennant and a World Series victory over the Boston Braves. Boudreau also led league shortstops in fielding eight times.
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Louis Boudreau was born in Harvey, Illinois. He was a star baseball and basketball player at the University of Illinois. Cleveland signed him to a professional contract, and he appeared in one major league game in 1938. After splitting the 1939 season between the minor leagues and Cleveland, Boudreau became the regular Cleveland shortstop in 1940. He remained with the Indians through 1950. Boudreau played for the Boston Red Sox in 1951 and retired as a player after appearing in four games for Boston in 1952.
Boudreau managed the Cleveland Indians from 1942 to 1950 and the Boston Red Sox from 1952 to 1954. He then managed the Kansas City Athletics from 1955 to 1957 and the Chicago Cubs in 1960. For many years, Boudreau was a popular baseball broadcaster for the Cubs. He was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970.
