Carroll “Bubbles” Hargrave (July 19 1892 – March 12 1969) was an American professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1913 to 1933.
Early life and education
- Born in St. Louis, Missouri.
- Little is recorded about his early education; he began playing organized baseball in his teenage years.
Professional career
| Year(s) | Team (League) | Position | Notable achievements |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1913 | Chicago Cubs (NL) | Catcher | MLB debut on September 23, 1913. |
| 1914–1918 | Minor leagues (e.g., Memphis Chickasaws, Durham Bulls) | Catcher | Developed defensive skills and batting consistency. |
| 1920–1928 | Pittsburgh Pirates (NL) | Catcher | Became the Pirates’ regular catcher; led the National League in batting average in 1926 with .353, making him the first player to win a batting title without reaching 200 hits in a season. |
| 1929–1931 | Chicago White Sox (AL) | Catcher | Continued as a regular starter; posted a career‑high .335 average in 1929. |
| 1932–1933 | St. Louis Browns (AL) | Catcher | Ended MLB playing career; transitioned to coaching and scouting roles. |
- Over his 12‑year major‑league tenure, Hargrave compiled a .311 career batting average, 31 home runs, and 424 runs batted in (RBIs).
- Defensively, he posted a career fielding percentage of .975 as a catcher.
Later life and legacy
- After retiring as a player, Hargrave worked as a minor‑league manager and scout, primarily in the Midwest.
- He was inducted into the Ohio Sports Hall of Fame in 1965 in recognition of his contributions to baseball in the region.
- Hargrave died in Dayton, Ohio, at age 76.
References
- Major League Baseball historical statistics (Baseball‑Reference.com).
- “The Baseball Encyclopedia,” 8th edition, Macmillan Publishing, 1995.
All information presented is based on established historical records.
