Calvin Amandus Neeman (February 18 1929 – October 1 2015) was an American professional baseball player who served as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1957 to 1963. Born in Valmeyer, Illinois, Neeman attended Illinois Wesleyan University, where he played both baseball and basketball before signing with the New York Yankees organization in 1949. After six seasons in the Yankees’ farm system—interrupted by military service during the Korean War—he was selected by the Chicago Cubs in the 1956 Rule 5 draft.
Neeman made his MLB debut on April 16, 1957, with the Cubs and quickly distinguished himself as a durable rookie catcher, leading National League catchers that season in games caught (118), double plays, putouts, and caught‑stealing. Over his seven‑year major‑league career he played for the Chicago Cubs (1957–1960), Philadelphia Phillies (1960–1961), Pittsburgh Pirates (1962), Cleveland Indians (1963) and Washington Senators (1963). He appeared in 376 games, compiling a .224 batting average with 30 home runs and 97 runs batted in. His most productive offensive season was his rookie year, when he posted a .258 average, 107 hits and 39 RBIs; the following year he hit a career‑high 12 homers.
Following his playing days, Neeman remained associated with baseball through minor‑league assignments and later retired from professional sport. He died at age 86 in Lake St. Louis, Missouri.
Sources: Wikipedia entry on Cal Neeman; Baseball-Reference statistics.