BUDDY HANCKEN 92
by Max Silberman
This writer never met Buddy Hancken but he was my very good friend. Over the years we maintained a correspondence by mail and he was very proud and honored to be a member of the Philadelphia Athletics Historical Society.
Morris Hancken played just one game for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1940 but his playing career in professional baseball lasted from1934 to 1953 and again in 1963. His coaching career, scouting and ticket sales lasted 60 years. He was completely devoted to baseball. He also managed and performed speaking engagements during his long association with the Houston Astros. Father Pat Wattigny contacted us with this sad news and we are grateful to him for letting us know
With one of his many letters, Buddy sent a Sam Chapman cap which occupies a place of honor in our museum.
His catching stint with the A’s was short but his gifts to the game of baseball lasted a lifetime.Buddy invited this writer to his 90th birthday party in Orange, TX. While not able to attend, the A’s Society send him a gift package of A’s items.
If there is baseball in heaven, Buddy Hancken is very much at home. His passing leaves 67 surviving Philadelphia Athletics players.