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Red Sox History: A look at Boston’s notable backup catchers

By Rick McNair

July 04, 2010; Boston, MA, USA; A general view as a large American flag hangs over the green monster before the start of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
July 04, 2010; Boston, MA, USA; A general view as a large American flag hangs over the green monster before the start of the game between the Boston Red Sox and the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /
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NEW YORK – 1955: Catcher Pete Daley of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait prior to a game in 1955 against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. 55-720082 (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
NEW YORK – 1955: Catcher Pete Daley of the Boston Red Sox poses for a portrait prior to a game in 1955 against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York. 55-720082 (Photo by: Kidwiler Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

Red Sox have Pete Daley backup White for five seasons

My first prototypical backup catcher was when I followed the Red Sox in 1953. The Red Sox had a young All-Star catcher in Sammy White who took the bulk of the catching chores. Veterans Del Wilber and Mickey Owens took on the tools of ignorance on a limited basis until Pete Daley arrived in 1955.

Daley was a right-hand hitter who hit .245 as White’s primary backup in his five seasons. Daley was certainly a downgrade when he took over for White for the second game of a doubleheader or when an injury respite was needed.

Daley had an occasional sting in his bat and could handle defensive chores without embarrassing himself. Physically Daley was not a blocky type backstop, and his arm from my dim memories could best be classified as average. Simplistically stated a player who would keep it steady on a short-term basis.

After five seasons, Daley was traded to the Athletics – then in Kansas City – and became a selection in the expansion draft Washington team after the 1960 season. After one season (.192), Daley was gone from MLB.

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