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](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/https-3A-2F-2Fbosoxinjection-com-2Fwp-content-2Fuploads-2Fimagn-images-2F2018-2F08-2F12048498-850x560-3c009e11497469900b8cf1dd1540bc54.jpg)
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.