Red Bluhm of the 1918 Red Sox — 1918: Babe Ruth and the World Champion Boston Red Sox by Allan Wood

Harvey Fred “Red” Bluhm
Pinch Hitter

5’11”, 165 lbs., Batted Right, Threw Right
Born: June 27, 1894, Cleveland, Ohio
Died: May 7, 1952, Flint, Michigan

Red Bluhm’s only major league appearance was as a pinch-hitter on July 3, 1918. He popped out.

Bluhm broke into pro ball in 1911 with Youngstown. He played with Duluth, Toledo and New Orleans, where he was signed by the Cleveland Indians, but released before the 1915 season began. Bob Gilks, a former Cleveland infielder (1887-1890) and a scout for the Indians said, “Bluhm is the best fielding first baseman I have ever laid eyes on.”

Bluhm had just turned 24 when he joined the Red Sox. Some accounts of the July 3rd game, including the official box score sent to the American League office, did not show Bluhm as a batter. The mystery of his appearance was not resolved until 1962.

Batting