Final Card: Ed Bressoud

Ed Bressoud (#121) began his pro career in 1950 in the New York Giants farm system. Like a lot of players in the early 1950s, Ed missed 2 years due to military service. After returning to baseball in 1955, he made his major-league debut with New York on June 14, 1956.

Bressoud was the backup shortstop in '56 and '57, and the backup 2nd baseman in '58. In 1959, Ed took over the starting shortstop role, starting 90 games (to Andre Rodgers' 64 starts). The next year, Bressoud's playing time increased as Rodgers' decreased.



In 1961, Bressoud's playing time drastically decreased, as youngster Jose Pagan took over the shortstop position. (Pagan would remain a fixture at short from 1961 to 1964.) After the 1961 season, Bressoud was selected by the Houston Colt .45s in the expansion draft, but a month later was traded to the Red Sox.

Ed found new life in Boston as the Red Sox' regular shortstop from 1962 to 1965, including an all-star selection in 1964. Over that 4-year span, Bressoud started 153, 137, 158, and 69 games at shortstop, finally losing his regular job to rookie Rico Petrocelli in 1965.

Prior to the 1966 season, the Red Sox traded him to the Mets for outfielder Joe Christopher. Bressoud would split the shortstop duties with fellow old-timer Roy McMillan that year. In late August, rookie Bud Harrelson was called up, and would start nearly every September game at shortstop, signaling the end of the line for both Bressoud and McMillan.

Ten days before the 1967 season, Bressoud and outfielder Dan Napolean were traded to the Cardinals for 2nd baseman Jerry Buchek, pitcher Art Mahaffey, and infielder Tony Martinez. Bressoud would appear in 50 games for the Cardinals, mostly as the backup shortstop. He played in 2 World Series games, but had no at-bats.