Lou Boudreau was afraid of nobody. A legitimate Hall of Famer, he was not only a great leader as a player and manager, but he was a stellar athlete in another sport—basketball.

Many people don’t realize that Lou played basketball for the University of Illinois and was part of the “Whiz Kids” team at college. He had such great peripheral vision that I often remark that he was able to see behind him. He was a great passer and a great dribbler. However, he was slow afoot. Basketball was there for Lou, but he decided to make baseball his vocation and, for my sake, I’m glad he did.

Lou was terrific as a teammate in every respect. He knew how to give encouragement and how to relate to other players. As a baseball player, he could both hit well and field well, and was an especially excellent doubles hitter, three times leading the American League in doubles in a single season. Defensively, he could go to his right very well. He anticipated where the ball was going to be hit and that made him an exceptional shortstop. In fact, in my book he is the King of Shortstops. Lou Boudreau was better than any shortstop I ever saw!

A major Hall of Famer, Lou was able to finish his stellar playing career and then go on to manage and win as a manager. Lou was a better player-manager than a bench manager. I remember he went 4–4 in the sudden death playoff game with the Boston Red Sox in 1948. The Indians had finished the season tied with Boston, and Lou’s 4–4 day made it possible for us to go the World Series. We didn’t even have to travel to get to the series because the Boston Braves club was our National League opponent. We stayed in Boston after that sudden death playoff game, and then proceeded to finish the job and win the World Series. Lou showed the world that a player-manager can help his club both at the plate and from inside the dugout.

I’m glad to have been Lou’s teammate. I’m even prouder to call him my friend.

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