Roy Partee: Legendary Mets Scout (1962 - 1985)
Roy Robert Partee was born September 7, 1917, in Los Angeles, California. Partee would sign with the Boston Red Sox getting to the major leagues in 1943. Playing Career: Roy got the job as Red the Sox main catcher, sharing time with Johnny Peacock, hitting .281 in 96 games. He had no power in his bat, not hitting a single HR. In 1090 career at bats he only hit two career HRs.
Military Service: The following season he was called for military duty to serve in World War II but was rejected due to a bad ankle. At the end of the year, he enlisted in the military on his own, at San Pedro California & served until the War ended
Roy rejoined his team & posted the leagues second best fielding percentage among catchers at .989. He hit both of his two career HRs that season while driving in 41 runs, but his average fell to .243.
In 1946 the Red Sox acquired long time Athletics catcher Hal Wagner & Partee played a back up role. That year the Red Sox won 104 games winning the AL Pennant. Partee played in just 40 games hitting .315. Partee was a popular backstop to work with, he was used primarily in the World Series.
The Mad Dash- Partee is most famous for having Enos Slaughter slide past him in the famous “mad dash” play.
After one more season with the Cards he was traded to the St. Louis Browns. In 1948 Partee played 82 games in St. Louis but hit only .203 wrapping up his brief five year playing career. In 1949 he was traded to the A.L. New York not making the big league squad.
Roy rejoined his team & posted the leagues second best fielding percentage among catchers at .989. He hit both of his two career HRs that season while driving in 41 runs, but his average fell to .243.
In 1946 the Red Sox acquired long time Athletics catcher Hal Wagner & Partee played a back up role. That year the Red Sox won 104 games winning the AL Pennant. Partee played in just 40 games hitting .315. Partee was a popular backstop to work with, he was used primarily in the World Series. 1946 World Series: In the World Series loss to the St. Louis Cardinals, Series Partee injured his thumb & was forced to miss Games Three & Four. Overall, he went 1-10 in the Series with a Game #5, 2nd inning base hit scoring a run in the Cards 6-1 win.
In Game #7 at Sportsman Park, in the bottom of the 8th inning, Enos Slaughter was on first base with the score tied 3-3. The hit & run play was on as Harry Walker lined a base hit into center field.
Enos Slaughter ran from first to third base, then never stopping as he rounded third ignoring coach Mike Gonzales' signal to stop. Short stop Johnny pesky delayed his throw, not expecting Slaughter to be heading home, by the time Pesky fired the ball to Partee at home plate, Slaughter slid safely with was to be the series winning run for St. Louis.
From 1949-1957 he played minor league ball.
Career Stats: In his five-year career Roy hit .250 with 273 hits 41 doubles 5 triples 2 HRs 114 RBIs & 89 runs scored with a .334 on base % & .636 OPS in 367 lifetime games (1090 at bats).
Retirement & Scouting: After his playing days, Partee managed in the California & Pacific Coast league into the end of the fifties.
Through those years Partee signed players such as Bud Harrelson, Tug McGaw, Danny Frisella, Bobby Heise, George Theodore, Kelvin Chapman, Rick Aguilera, Greg Jeffries, Steve Springer & Randy Johnson. Other players who had coaching & managerial success such as Ned Yost & Tom Robson.
Mets Scout: When the New York Mets were born, he came aboard as a scout and would play a huge part in signing many of the Mets young players for the next twenty-three years.
Family: In 1939 Roy married Faye Edith (Bickle) & together they had two sons.
Passing: In 2000 Partee passed away at age of 83 in Eureka, California.