Bibbs Raymond

Biography

Harry Doherty spotted Albert “Bibbs” Raymond (nicknamed because his French grandmother couldn’t pronounce his first name), shagging batting practice fly balls before a 1915 Silk Sox game. Boys were allowed to do this to save the outfielders legs for the game, and Doherty saw Bibbs was a superior fielder compared to his own players.

“Sign him!” Doherty ordered. Soon, Raymond, just 17, was playing right field and batting fifth (Doherty’s prodigy could also hit).

As part of Doherty’s “major league outfield,” Raymond was a hometown hero, living in nearby Paterson and working at the Doherty Silk Mill. When he stepped into the box, the fans – people he knew on a first-name basis – went with him. Bibbs didn’t disappoint. During most years, he vied with Howard Lohr and Jimmy Eschen for the team batting crown.

In 1924, Raymond signed with the New York Yankees. When they tried to farm him out to New Haven after limiting his play in spring training, he turned his back on organized ball. With a wife and young children at home, he went back to his job at the mill and being Bibbs Raymond, everyone’s favorite local player.

His teammate Paddy Smith once said: “Bibbs Raymond was good enough to have played with any team in major league baseball.” But performing in the big leagues wasn’t what mattered most to Bibbs. Being part of the Silk Sox did.