Why Baseball HOFer Chick Hafey Tried To Smother A Fellow Cooperstown Inductee
A former MLB legend used to be driven nuts by one of his roommates, leading him to take drastic actions
Outfielder Chick Hafey had a much shorter playing career than most players who eventually ended up in the Hall of Fame, but he certainly made an impact during his time in the game. Off the field, he had an unfortunate incident with another future Cooperstown inductee, catcher Ernie Lombardi, who he once tried to smother as he slept.
The right-handed Hafey batted a combined .317 with 164 home runs and 833 RBIs, spending the best years of his 13-year career (1925–1936; 1937) with the St. Louis Cardinals before finishing up with his final five years with the Cincinnati Reds. He won the National League batting title in 1931 with a .349 average, received MVP votes in four different seasons (finishing as high as fifth), and was a key player on four World Series teams (two of which won championships).
Multiple beanballs led to eye problems, and him subsequently having to wear glasses when he played, making him somewhat of an aberration. He was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1971 as a result of the Veterans Committee.
