Dickey, Bill (1907-1993), was one of the greatest catchers in baseball history. He played his entire career with the New York Yankees of the American League. Dickey was an important part of the Yankee dynasty that won eight American League pennants and seven World Series from 1932 to 1943. He caught more than 100 games for 13 consecutive seasons, tying Johnny Bench for the major league record. Dickey was an outstanding hitter with a career batting average of .313. He also won praise as a keen handler of pitchers.
William Malcolm Dickey was born in Bastrop, Louisiana, on June 6, 1907. He joined the Yankees in 1928 and became the team’s regular catcher in 1929. Dickey played through the 1943 season, when he enlisted in the United States Navy at the age of 36 to serve in World War II. He returned to the Yankees in 1946 and managed the team for part of that season while playing. He retired as a player in 1946 and served as a Yankee coach from 1947 to 1957. He scouted for the team for two years before retiring. Dickey was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1954. He died on Nov. 12, 1993.
