Buddy Hancken
Marine Corps Service
Morris Medlock “Buddy” Hancken earned the title of United States Marine at Parris Island in 1942. During World War II, he served as a Browning Automatic Rifle instructor before returning to professional baseball in 1946.
Public accounts of Hancken’s service are brief. The Houston Astros’ 1969 media guide establishes that he entered Marine Corps service in 1942 and returned to baseball in 1946, while his published obituary identifies his wartime assignment as a Browning Automatic Rifle instructor. Available public sources provide little additional detail about his station assignments or day-to-day duties.
Baseball Career
Born in Birmingham, Alabama, on August 30, 1914, Hancken attended Birmingham-Southern College and began his professional career in the Detroit Tigers organization. A catcher who could also play second base, he advanced through clubs including Alexandria, Beaumont, Charleston, Toledo, Fort Worth, and Seattle.
Connie Mack brought Hancken to the Philadelphia Athletics in 1940 because of his ability to catch knuckleball pitchers. His only Major League appearance came against Cleveland on May 14. Hancken caught the ninth inning of Philadelphia’s 9–7 victory, recorded one putout, and never came to bat.
Hancken later summarized that brief appearance within a much longer life in baseball: “I got to play one inning as a catcher, make one putout, meet Connie Mack, and shake hands with Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb.”
After leaving the Marine Corps, Hancken returned to baseball as a Cincinnati Reds scout in 1946. He received his first managerial assignment with Ballinger the following year and eventually managed ten minor-league clubs. His career also included extensive scouting work for Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Minnesota, and Houston.
Later Life and Legacy
Hancken joined the Houston Astros’ Major League coaching staff in 1968 and remained a coach through 1972. He later worked in the organization’s front office and led its speakers bureau for approximately 20 years. Across those roles, he became a respected mentor to players including Larry Dierker, Enos Cabell, and Art Howe.
The Texas Baseball Hall of Fame inducted Hancken in 1994. His professional baseball life ultimately spanned seven decades as a player, manager, coach, scout, and executive. He died in Orange, Texas, on February 15, 2007, at age 92.
Sources and Further Reading
- Houston Astros, 1969 media guide
- Baseball-Reference, Buddy Hancken Major League record
- Baseball-Reference, Buddy Hancken minor-league record
- Baseball-Reference, Philadelphia Athletics at Cleveland, May 14, 1940
- Houston Chronicle, “Former Astros coach Hancken dies at 92”
- Buddy Hancken obituary and career remembrance