Bloodworth was an adequate second baseman over eleven ML seasons but a subpar hitter. In 1943 with Detroit he set a since-broken AL record by grounding into 29 double plays. During one spring training game, he was credited with an “unpatriotic” base hit when he tapped the ball back to pitcher Elmer Riddle. Suddenly, the National Anthem blared forth from a loudspeaker, and, while Riddle stood at attention, Bloodworth scurried safely to first.
