Rick Ferrell debuted for the St. Louis Browns in 1929 and for the next three years, became one of the premier catchers in the league.

In May 1933, Tom Yawkey purchased Rick from the fiscally-strapped Browns. With the Red Sox, he enjoyed his best years, catching and hitting well. Two months later in July 1933, Connie Mack chose Rick to catch the entire inaugural All-Star Game. He was selected to a grand total of eight All-Star teams and was an All-Star every year he was in Boston.

In 1934, due largely to Rick’s encouragement, the Red Sox signed his brother, Wes, creating a Ferrell brothers battery for the next three and a half years. Older by two years, Rick displayed a quiet, mild-mannered temperament while Wes could be brash and outspoken. Rick was a model teammate, a leader by example, considerate, and helpful to others. But while supremely competitive against one another on the field, off the field, the brothers were extremely loyal, roomed together, and got along well.

In 1934, Rick led all American League catchers with a .990 fielding average. A strong contact hitter, he hit over .300 five times during his career. In 1935 he had a .301 season and in 1936, had a .312 average. Then in June 1937, Rick and Wes were both traded together to the Washington Senators.

Totaling a .302 batting average from 1933-37 with the Sox, Rick had broken Red Sox catcher’s records in batting, home runs, doubles, and runs-batted-in.

Rick retired as a player after 18 seasons in possession of the American League record for most games caught: 1,806 with a lifetime batting average of .281. In August 1984, the Veterans Committee inducted Rick into the Hall of Fame, bringing the ultimate recognition to one of baseball’s quiet, devoted heroes.