Daryl Spencer

Daryl Spencer was a standout in three realms – the major leagues, the Japanese professional league and the National Baseball Congress.

After graduation from Wichita East High School and while attending Wichita State University, Spencer signed with the New York Giants in 1949.  He made his major league debut in 1952 with the Giants and stuck on the roster as a utility player in 1953.

Spencer missed the 1954 and 1955 seasons in miliary service.  During this time, Spencer starred for the Boeing Bombers in the NBC World Series.  He led the Bombers to back-to-back championships.

He returned to the Giants in 1956 and was their regular shortstop for three seasons, hitting 70 home runs.  On Opening Day in 1958, he hit the first-ever major league home run on the west coast, off the Dodgers’ Don Drysdale.

In 1959, Spencer moved to third base and in 1960, he was traded to St. Louis and was the Cardinals opening day shortstop.  After a season and a half, the Cardinals traded him to the Dodgers where he was a roommate of Sandy Koufax.  He became a utility player and finished his ten-year major league career with Cincinnati in 1963.

In 1964, Spencer went to Japan to play for the Hankyu Braves.  He became a fan favorite and hit 152 home runs in nine seasons in Japan.

Spencer played and managed for several non-Boeing NBC World Series teams.  He was the long-time vice president of the Kansas Baseball Hall of Fame until his death in 2017 at age 88.

For more, read Daryl Spencer’s Society for American Baseball Research bio.