Merritt Marwood "Mem" Lovett (June 15, 1912 – September 19, 1995) was an American professional baseball player who appeared as a pinch-hitter in one Major League Baseball (MLB) game, for the 1933 Chicago White Sox. Listed at 5 feet 9.5 inches (1.765 m) and 165 pounds (75 kg), he batted and threw right-handed.
Biography
Lovett played on three freshman sports teams at the University of Chicago: football, basketball, and baseball.[1][2] He was one of several players that the Chicago White Sox added as September call-ups in 1933;[3] fellow call-up Milt Bocek went on to play a total of 30 games for the White Sox during 1933 and 1934.[4]
Lovett's only major league appearance came on September 4, 1933.[5] Facing the Detroit Tigers in a road doubleheader at Navin Field, Lovett entered the first game as a pinch hitter in the top of the ninth inning, with the Tigers leading, 8–0.[6] Batting for center fielder Mule Haas, Lovett came to the plate with two outs and catcher Frank Grube on base.[6] The available play-by-play for the game simply says that Lovett made an out, ending the game;[6] years later, Lovett recounted that he swung at the first pitch thrown to him by Detroit pitcher Vic Sorrell, resulting in an infield pop-up, likely caught by first baseman Hank Greenberg.[7]
After his brief professional baseball career, Lovett worked in a bank while also playing semi-professional baseball.[7] He also was a member of a touring basketball team called the Chicago Circus Clowns,[1] somewhat like the Harlem Globetrotters.[7] He later worked for the Glidden paint company for 40 years, until his retirement in 1977.[7][10] Lovett died in 1995 in Downers Grove, Illinois.[11] He had been married twice, and had four children and four step-children.[12]
