Bobby Richardson
Considered one of the first active Major League Baseball players to speak publicly about his faith, Bobby Richardson consistently used the platform to promote and support FCA. He was a popular speaker at FCA conferences, camps and fundraisers, and spent time as an FCA national representative and member of the Board of Trustees.
Richardson played his entire MLB with the New York Yankees. He debuted in August of 1955 and spent the next 11 years as the team’s stalwart second baseman. An eight-time All-Star and five-time Gold Glove winner, he helped the Yankees to seven American League pennants and three World Series titles (1958, 1961 and 1962). Richardson set many postseason records including most hits in a World Series (13 in 1964), and in 1960 was the first and only losing player to be named series MVP.
After retiring at a relatively young age, Richardson became the head baseball coach for the University of South Carolina. In seven seasons, he led the Gamecocks to three NCAA Tournament appearances and the program’s first ever College World Series in 1975 where they finished runner-up to the University of Texas. Richardson also coached at Liberty University and Coastal Carolina University.
In the immediate years following his playing career, Richardson was an organizer and speaker for Teen Crusade. In 1970, at the request of President Richard Nixon, he delivered a sermon at a White House worship service. Richardson later served as the president of Baseball Chapel for nine years and also worked as Yankees scout. In 1995, he officiated and presented the gospel at Mickey Mantle’s funeral not long after leading the legendary Hall of Famer to Christ.
No comments