Bob Montgomery

Robert Edward Montgomery (born April 16, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player and television sports commentator. Nicknamed “Monty”, he played his entire career in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher, and also played six games at first base, for the Boston Red Sox from 1970 to 1979. He batted and threw right-handed.Montgomery signed for the Boston Red Sox as an amateur free agent in 1962 and played for seven of their minor league affiliates until 1970, when the Red Sox promoted him to the major leagues. There, he served as the team’s backup catcher behind future Hall of Fame inductee Carlton Fisk. He spent the next nine years with the Red Sox and played his last game on September 9, 1979. Montgomery is notable for being the last major-league player to bat without wearing a helmet.

Basics

• Positions
  • Catcher
  • Designated Hitter
  • First Base
• Major League Debut
  • September 6, 1970
  • He pinch hit for Tom Satriano in the bottom of the fourth inning, as the Red Sox were hosting the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park. He went 1 for 4, striking out twice. He was also credited for 3 put outs.¹
• Last MLB Appearance
  • September 9, 1979
  • Jim Dwyer had pinch hit for catcher Gary Allenson in the bottom of the fifth inning, as the Red Sox hosted the Baltimore Orioles. Dwyer flied out, and was replaced in the Sith inning by Bob Montgomery. He got a hit, and scored a run. He also ground into a double play in the ninth inning. He was credited for 3 put outs.²

Teams Played for

• Olean Red Sox – New York-Pennsylvania League (D)
• Waterloo Hawks – Midwest League (A)
• Seattle Rainiers – Pacific Coast League (AAA)
• Winston-Salem Red Sox – Carolina League (A)
• FIL Red Sox – Florida Instructional League (Winter Rookie)
• Toronto Maple Leafs – Internatoinal League (AAA)
• Pittsfield Red Sox – Eastern League (AA)
• Louisville Colonels – International League (AAA)
• Boston Red Sox – American League³

Ejections

1. July 20, 1975
   • Umpire: Rich Garcia
   • Opponent: Texas Rangers
   • Toby Harrah hit a double that allowed Cesar Tovar to score in the Rangers half of the sixth. Montgomery argued the call at the plate. Umpire Rich Garcia ejected him for the argument.⁴
2. August 5, 1979
   • Umpire: Bill Deegan
   • Opponent: Milwaukee Brewers
   • In the Sixth inning, with Dwight Evans on first base, Monty was called out on an appeal of a check swing. Montgomery argued the call harder than what was allowed, and was given the hook. Gary Allenson replaced him for the remainder of the game.⁵

Career Stat Line

• avg: .258
• ops: .660
• ab: 1,185
• r: 125
• h: 306
• hr: 23
• rbi: 156
• sb: 6

Club Baseball Jobs

• Broadcaster – Boston Red Sox (1982 – ’95)⁶

Injured List

1. https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1970/B09060BOS1970.htm ↩︎
2. https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1979/B09090BOS1979.htm ↩︎
3. https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=montgo002rob ↩︎
4. https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1975/B07201TEX1975.htm ↩︎
5. https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1979/B08052MIL1979.htm ↩︎
6. https://www.thebaseballcube.com/content/player/15553/jobs/ ↩︎