totally random

Today’s subject: Andy Reese. An injury curtailed Reese’s promising major league career in 1930 after just 331 games, but the Tupelo native left his mark on the game in other venues. He finished his playing career as the all-time hits leader in the minor league Southern Association and was voted the “most popular” Memphis Chicks player of all-time. Such was his stature in his hometown that a youth league field there bears his name, and in 1969 he was elected to the Mississippi Sports Hall of Fame. Reese, born in 1904, made the big leagues in 1927 with the New York Giants, managed by the legendary John McGraw. Reese was a contributor over the next four seasons on a club that included Hall of Famers Bill Terry, Travis Jackson and Mel Ott. Nicknamed “Handy Andy” for his versatility, Reese played every position but catcher and pitcher. He batted .281 with 14 homers, 111 RBIs and 166 runs. He developed a sore arm in 1930 and after that season was sold to a minor league team in California. Though he never got another big league opportunity, Reese played in the minors into the 1940s and also managed in the minors. He died in 1966.