Don Padgett

from Caroleen, NC, was an American professional baseball player, catcher/outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals (1937-41), Brooklyn Dodgers (1946), Boston Braves (1946) and Philadelphia Phillies (1947-48). He attended Lenoir-Rhyne College in Hickory, North Carolina, where he excelled in

baseball, football and basketball. Padgett signed with the St. Louis Cardinals' organization in 1935.

The left-handed hitting outfielder made his major league debut with the

Cardinals in 1937, playing 123 regular season games and batting an

impressive .314 with 74 RBIs. In 1938, his average dipped to 271 but he

came back with an incredible 399 batting average in 92 games in 1939

while adjusting from being an outfielder to a catcher.

On December 10, 1941, the Cardinals sold Padgett to the Dodgers for

$25,000. On March 28, 1942, Padgett left Brooklyn's training camp to

report to his home draft board for induction into the Army. On April 1,

1942, he chose instead to enlist in the Navy and was sworn in.

On July 7, 1942, Padgett was selected for an All-Service team that

played against an American League all-star squad at Cleveland's

Municipal Stadium. Before 62,059 fans, the American League beat the

servicemen, 5-0. Padgett's main contribution to the game was a

screeching single to left field in the first inning but he was left stranded

on base.

By August 1944, Padgett was coaching a US Navy team in Australia. In

January 1946, at the age of 34, Padgett was released from military

service after missing four professional baseball seasons.