Boom-Boom Beck

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Boom-Boom Beck
Pitcher
Born: October 16, 1904(1904-10-16)
Decatur, Illinois
Died: May 7, 1987 (aged 82)
Champaign, Illinois
Batted: Right Threw: Right 
MLB debut
September 22, 1924 for the St. Louis Browns
Last MLB appearance
September 26, 1945 for the Pittsburgh Pirates
Career statistics
Pitching record     38-69
Earned run average     4.30
Strikeouts     352
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Walter William "Boom-Boom" Beck (October 16, 1904 – May 7, 1987) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played twelve seasons in the major leagues with the St. Louis Browns (1924; 1927-28), Brooklyn Dodgers (1933-34), Philadelphia Phillies (1939-43), Detroit Tigers (1944), Cincinnati Reds (1945), and Pittsburgh Pirates (1945). He was born in Decatur, Illinois.

Beck was one of three pitchers to lead the National League in games started (35) in 1933. His nickname, Boom-Boom, was earned while pitching at Baker Bowl against the Phillies in 1934. He allowed numerous line drives that struck the outfield wall, each time making a booming sound. Manager Casey Stengel sought to remove Beck from the game. Frustrated with his performance and for being removed, Beck threw the baseball at the outfield wall, where it hit and made another booming sound. The noisy incident would become attributable to the pitcher and serve as his nickname.[1] In 265 career games, Beck had a 38-65 won-loss total with 100 games started and 94 games finished in 1,034 innings pitched.

Beck became a pitching coach after his playing career ended, serving in that role with the Washington Senators from 1957-59.

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