Bob Nieman
A powerful-hitting journeyman outfielder who made history by homering in his first two Major League at-bats.
1927–1985 (age 58)·American baseball player and scout·Birthday: January 26·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Bob Nieman's baseball career is a classic tale of a potent bat searching for a permanent home. He exploded onto the major league scene in 1951 with the St. Louis Browns in the most dramatic fashion possible, hitting home runs in his very first two big-league plate appearances—a feat that announced a pure and dangerous hitter. For over a decade, that hitting talent kept him in the majors, as he posted a lifetime .295 average and provided consistent right-handed power. Yet, he played for seven different teams, never quite finding a franchise to build around him, often serving as a valuable platoon player or designated slugger. After his MLB days, he even took his swing to Japan for a season with the Chunichi Dragons. Later, he transitioned into scouting, using his experienced eye to evaluate the next generation of hitters.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Bob was born in 1927, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Bob Was Born
The biggest hits of 1927
#1 Movie
Wings
Bob's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1927Born
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1932Started school
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1940Became a teenager
The Blitz: Germany bombs London
Gas: $0.18/galHome: $2,938Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy DorseyBest Picture: Rebecca
1943Could drive
Allies invade Sicily; Battle of Stalingrad ends
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $3,290Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry JamesBest Picture: Casablanca
1945Could vote
WWII ends; atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki
Gas: $0.21/galHome: $4,600Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Sentimental Journey" — Les Brown & Doris DayBest Picture: The Lost Weekend
1948Turned 21
Israel declares independence; Berlin Blockade begins
Gas: $0.26/galHome: $7,450Min wage: $0.40/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Twelfth Street Rag" — Pee Wee HuntBest Picture: Hamlet
1957Turned 30
Sputnik launches the Space Age
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $10,550Min wage: $1.00/hrPresident: Dwight D. Eisenhower"All Shook Up" — Elvis PresleyBest Picture: The Bridge on the River Kwai
1967Turned 40
Summer of Love in San Francisco; first Super Bowl
Gas: $0.33/galHome: $14,250Min wage: $1.40/hrPresident: Lyndon B. Johnson"To Sir, with Love" — LuluBest Picture: In the Heat of the Night
1977Turned 50
Star Wars premieres; Elvis dies
Gas: $0.62/galHome: $31,800Min wage: $2.30/hrPresident: Jimmy Carter"Tonight's the Night" — Rod StewartBest Picture: Annie Hall
1985Died at 58
Live Aid concerts raise money for Ethiopian famine
Gas: $1.12/galHome: $62,900Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Careless Whisper" — Wham!Best Picture: Out of Africa
Key Achievements
- Hit home runs in his first two Major League at-bats on September 14, 1951, for the St. Louis Browns.
- Recorded a career .295 batting average over parts of 12 MLB seasons.
- Drove in 98 runs for the Baltimore Orioles during the 1959 season.
- Played professional baseball on three continents: in North America's MLB, and later for Japan's Chunichi Dragons.
Did You Know?
He is one of only a handful of players in MLB history to homer in each of his first two career at-bats.
He was traded from the Chicago White Sox to the Baltimore Orioles in the middle of the 1956 season.
After his playing career, he worked as a scout for the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres.
He stood 5'11" and was nicknamed 'Bull' for his strong, compact build.
“See the ball, hit the ball—the rest is just noise.”
