Downtown in Cleveland in Cuyahoga County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Lou Boudreau

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2021

1. Lou Boudreau Marker

Inscription.
Among the most beloved players of his generation, Boudreau was the stabilizing force behind the Indians during the 1940s. As the youngest manager (24) in club history, Lou guided the Indians to the franchise’s second World Series Championship in 1948. During that season the player/manager batted .359 and earned MVP honors.

Over thirteen seasons as a member of the Indians, Lou was a seven-time all-star and led the American League in fielding pct as a SS eight times. He ranks in the top ten in most franchise offensive categories: games (3rd), at bats (4th), runs (9th), hits (6th), doubles (5th), total bases (7th), walks (3rd).

He is the franchise record holder for wins as a manager (728). Lou Boudreau was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame (1970) and the Indians Hall of Fame (1954). His #5 was the second retired by the franchise.

Cleveland —1938-1950 / MLB Career — 1938-1952
Player/Manager: 1942-1950
Managerial Career: 1942-1950, 1952-1957, 1960

David L. Deming, Sculptor
unveiled August 5, 2017

Erected 2017.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Sports. In addition, it is included

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

in the Baseball Hall of Famers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.

Location. 41° 29.835′ N, 81° 41.062′ W. Marker is in Cleveland, Ohio, in Cuyahoga County. It is in Downtown. It can be reached from the intersection of East 9th Street and Larry Doby Way, on the left when traveling north. Marker and statue are located at the Cleveland Indians Progressive Field north entrance, in front of Gate C-2. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2401 Ontario Street, Cleveland OH 44115, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ohio’s Lake Erie Shore

and in the Western Reserve.

It is also in the American Midwest

and on the Great Lakes.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Inaugural Game (here, next to this marker); 1954 American League Champions

Lou Boudreau Marker & Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2021

2. Lou Boudreau Marker & Statue

Progressive Field Gate C-2 in background.

(here, next to this marker); Manny vs. Eckersley = Wow! (here, next to this marker); 1995 American League Champions (here, next to this marker); First Division Title Since 1954 (here, next to this marker); Robert William Andrew Feller (a few steps from this marker); 1997 American League Champions (a few steps from this marker); Alomar Saves Season (a few steps from this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Cleveland.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . .
1. Lou Boudreau. In 1942, the Cleveland Indians chose their slow-footed, hard-hitting, slick-fielding 24-year-old shortstop Lou Boudreau to become player-manager of the ballclub. In his seventh season at the helm, he led the Indians to a World Series title. Perhaps the best shortstop of the 1940s and a great defensive player and batting champion, in that glorious season he also led by example, hitting .355 with 106 runs batted in. (Submitted on September 22, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

2. Louis Boudreau • Baseball Hall of Fame. In 1946, he devised

Lou Boudreau Statue image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 19, 2021

3. Lou Boudreau Statue

the “Williams Shift,” sometimes known as the “Boudreau Shift,” placing all of the infielders on the right side of second base and leaving only the left-fielder across the diamond in an attempt to stop the pull-hitting Ted Williams. Few players or managers ever had a better season than Boudreau did in 1948. “That year, Lou Boudreau was the greatest shortstop and leader I have ever seen,” said Hall of Famer Bill McKechnie, a coach with the club. The Indians went 97-58 while Boudreau hit .355 with 106 RBI, a career-high 18 home runs, a .453 on-base percentage and struck out only nine times in 560 at-bats. (Submitted on September 22, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 4, 2023. It was originally submitted on September 22, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 417 times since then and 23 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 22, 2021, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.