Art Jorgens

Arndt Ludwig Jorgens (born Arndt Ludvig Jørgensen; May 18, 1905 – March 1, 1980) was an American professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees from 1929 through 1939.

Jorgens was born in Modum, Norway, and immigrated to the United States as a young child. After playing baseball for his high school, Jorgens became a semi-professional player before signing a professional contract. After three years in the minor leagues, he signed with the Yankees before the 1929 season. A backup to Bill Dickey throughout his career, Jorgens played sparingly. He was a member of five World Series champion teams even though he did not play in a single World Series game.

Early life Arndt Ludvig Jørgensen was born May 18, 1905, in Modum, Buskerud County, Sweden-Norway. His father moved to the United States shortly after his birth, settling in the Chicago area. Arndt, his mother, and his brother followed when he was two years old. The family shortened their name to "Jorgens" and became United States citizens.

Jorgens began playing baseball when he was six years old, playing as a catcher. He attended Lane Technical High School in Chicago. After graduating from high school, Jorgens worked with his father and uncle in a furniture factory and played baseball as a semi-professional. He finished the 1926 season with Rock Island with a .302 batting average

The New York Yankees purchased Jorgens from Oklahoma City on August 24, 1928, for $22,000 . He was not to report to the Yankees until after the 1928 season. Due to a strong performance in spring training, Jorgens made the team for Opening Day of the 1929 season. The Yankees optioned Jorgens to the Jersey City Skeeters of the Class AA International League in May and recalled him to the major leagues in September. He played in 18 games for the Yankees during the 1929 season, They promoted Jorgens back to the major leagues in August due to injuries to Dickey and Bubbles Hargrave. He played in 16 games for the Yankees during the 1930 season, Jorgens became the Yankees' second-string catcher behind Dickey in the 1931 season, spending the entire season in the major leagues.

During a game in July 1932, Dickey got into a fistfight with Carl Reynolds, breaking his jaw, and was suspended for a month. Jorgens became the Yankees' starting catcher during Dickey's suspension. In 26 games as the Yankees primary catcher, Jorgens hit .169. Dickey played in all games and Jorgens did not play in the series, in which the Yankees defeated the Chicago Cubs in four games.

Jorgens' 1933 season ended prematurely in September when he was stricken by pneumonia. In August 1934, Dickey broke a bone in his throwing hand, resulting in Jorgens filling in as the primary catcher for 35 games. Jorgens posted career-highs with 38 hits, 20 runs batted in (RBIs), and 58 games played in 1934. The Washington Senators attempted to purchase Jorgens from the Yankees before the 1936 season, but were rebuffed. Jorgens played in 36 games during the 1936 season. He and Glenn were both on the Yankees roster for the 1936 World Series. The Yankees won against the New York Giants in six games, though neither Jorgens nor Glenn appeared in a game.

Jorgens played in 13 games in the 1937 season Jorgens played in nine games in the 1938 season. The Yankees traded Glenn after the 1938 season and made Buddy Rosar their new backup catcher for the 1939 season. Jorgens played in three games in the 1939 season, without registering a single at bat. The Yankees advanced to the 1939 World Series and defeated the Cincinnati Reds in four games, with Dickey starting them all.

Jorgens was on the Yankees roster for the 1940 season, but he did not appear in a single game. He is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, Skokie, Illinois.