Ernesto Natali Lombardi (April 6, 1908 - September 26, 1977) was a Major League Baseball player and catcher during the 1930s and 1940s.
Lombardi entered the major leagues in 1931 with the Brooklyn Dodgers and established himself the following year, in 1932, as a member of the Cincinnati Reds, batting .303 with 11 home runs and 68 RBI. Although a solid producer and consistent hitter (he didn't bat below .283) over the following five seasons, Lombardi became a leader and star in 1938 when he hit a league-leading .342 with 19 home runs, 95 RBI and won the National League MVP award. Over the following two seasons, Lombardi led the Reds to the World Series and they won the championship in 1940.
In 1942, the Boston Braves purchased Lombardi's contract, and despite his leading the league in hitting that season with a .330 batting average (albeit, in only 309 at-bats), Boston opted to trade him to the New York Giants after the season. He enjoyed three productive if unspectacular seasons with the Giants before seeing his playing time diminish over the next two seasons. He retired after the 1947 season, having compiled a .306 career batting average, 190 home runs, 990 RBI, 601 runs and 430 walks.
Lombardi caught both of Johnny Vander Meer 's consecutive no-hitters (June 11 and June 15, 1938). This remains the only time a pitcher has pitched consecutive no-hitters.
Lombardi was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1986.
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Last updated: 10-14-2005 12:16:51
