Major League Ballplayer

By Chris Lonergan

Many Sierra County residents might remember "Bud" Hafey as Sierra County’s Probation Officer, but not to many knew that Hafey was a Major League outfielder for four different teams in the 1930’s.

Hafey passed away in 1986 at the age of 73. Many years before Bud was a probation officer, the Hafey was one to be reckoned with when casting balances on Major League talent. Bud’s uncle, Chic Hafey is in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, New York. Bud’s brother Tom also played in the Major Leagues in 1939 with the New York Giants; his nickname was "the arm".

Bud graduated from Technical High School in Oakland in 1930 and signed with the Oakland Oaks of the old Pacific Coast League. He transferred to the San Francisco Missions where he played until 1934. The Chicago White Sox signed Bud in 1934 and he debuted in the Major Leagues in 1935 as a White Sox player. He was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates and played for them 1935-36.

Bud played with and against some of the greatest players including Babe Ruth who retired in 1935. He was a teammate of Hall of Famers Waite Hoyt, Pie Traynor, Lloyd and Paul Waner and Arky Vaughan. He came up to bat against some of the greatest pitchers like Carl, "the meal ticket" Hubbell. Bud finished his career in the Major Leagues in 1939 with the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies, having played for four different Big League clubs. He hit 10 career home runs in the Majors.

Bud was a fine probation officer and ballplayer but better than that he was a great person. Luckily, as a kid I had the opportunity to meet him on more than one occasion. Bud Hafey is the only resident of Sierra County to ever put on a Major League uniform, and this ballplayer has fond memories of Ballplayer Bud Hafey.