Johnny Temple

John Ellis Temple (August 8, 1927 – January 9, 1994) was a Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Redlegs/Reds (1952–59; 1964); Cleveland Indians (1960–61), Baltimore Orioles (1962) and Houston Colt .45s (1962–63). Temple was born in Lexington, North Carolina. He batted and threw right-handed.

For the blues musician, see Johnny Temple (musician). For the American bassist, see Johnny Temple (bassist).
Johnny Temple
Second baseman
Born: (1927-08-08)August 8, 1927
Lexington, North Carolina
Died: January 9, 1994(1994-01-09) (aged 66)
Anderson, South Carolina
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 15, 1952, for the Cincinnati Reds
Last MLB appearance
July 8, 1964, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics
Batting average.284
Hits1,484
Runs batted in395
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Temple was a career .284 hitter with 22 home runs and 395 RBI in 1420 games. A legitimate leadoff hitter and four-time All-Star, he was a very popular player in Cincinnati in the 1950s. Throughout his career, he walked more often than he struck out, compiling an outstanding 1.92 walk-to-strikeout ratio (648-to-338) and a .363 on-base percentage. Temple also had above-average speed and good instincts on the base paths. Quietly, he had 140 steals in 198 attempts (71%).

In 1957, Temple and six of his Redleg teammates—Ed Bailey, Roy McMillan, Don Hoak, Gus Bell, Wally Post and Frank Robinson—were voted into the National League All-Star starting lineup, the result of a ballot stuffing campaign by Redlegs fans. Bell remained on the team as a reserve, but Post was taken off altogether. Bell and Post were replaced as starters by Hank Aaron and Willie Mays.

Temple in 1957

Temple enjoyed his best year in 1959, with career-highs in batting average (.311), home runs (8), RBI (67), runs (102), hits (186), at-bats (598), doubles (35) and triples (6). At the end of the season he was sent to Cleveland for Billy Martin, Gordy Coleman and Cal McLish.[1]

Temple also played with Baltimore and Houston, and again with Cincinnati for his last major season, where he was a part-time coach. In August 1964, he cleaned out his locker after having a fight with fellow coach, Reggie Otero.[2] When Fred Hutchinson had to leave the Reds due to his health, Cincinnati management decided to go with only two coaches and not reinstate Temple.[3]

After his baseball career was over, Temple worked as a television newsman in Houston, Texas and got involved with a business that sold boats and RVs. The business failed causing Temple to lose everything, including his home.[4] In 1977, Temple was arrested and charged with larceny of farm equipment.[5] Through the efforts of his wife, who wrote a public letter to The Sporting News, Temple got legal assistance. He gave testimony to the South Carolina assembly against his criminal partners.[6]

Temple died in Anderson, South Carolina in 1994 at the age of 66.[7]

References
  1. Reds trade Temple for Martin, pair
  2. Scout, coach have fight
  3. Hutchinson on leave of absence
  4. James, Bill (11 May 2010). The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract. Simon & Schuster. p. 517. ISBN 9781439106938.
  5. Johnny Temple is arrested
  6. James, Bill (11 May 2010). The New Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract. Simon & Schuster. p. 518. ISBN 9781439106938.
  7. Temple dies at 66
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