imported>Left guide: WT:MLB#World Series champion in infobox

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{{Short description|Norwegian-American baseball player (1905–1980)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Arndt Jorgens
|image=Arndt Jorgens by George Burke.jpg
|image_size=220px
|position=[[Catcher]]
|birth_name=Arndt Ludvig Jørgensen
|birth_date={{birth date|1905|5|18}}
|birth_place=[[Modum]], [[Sweden-Norway]]
|death_date={{death date and age|1980|3|1|1905|5|18}}
|death_place=[[Wilmette, Illinois]], U.S.
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=April 26
|debutyear=1929
|debutteam=New York Yankees
|finalleague = MLB
|finaldate=August 2
|finalyear=1939
|finalteam=New York Yankees
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.238
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2value=4
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=89
|teams=
*[[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|1929}}–{{mlby|1939}})
|highlights=
*5× [[World Series champion]] ({{wsy|1932}}, {{wsy|1936}}–{{wsy|1939}})
}}
'''Arndt Ludwig Jorgens''' (born '''Arndt Ludvig Jørgensen'''; May 18, 1905 – March 1, 1980){{Need-IPA|Norwegian and English}} was a Norwegian-American professional [[baseball]] [[catcher]] who played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) for the [[New York Yankees]] from {{by|1929}} through {{by|1939}}.

Jorgens was born in [[Modum]], Norway, and immigrated to the United States as a young child. After playing competitive baseball for his high school, Jorgens became a [[semi-professional sports|semi-professional]] player before signing a professional contract. After three years in the minor leagues, he signed with the Yankees before the 1929 season. A backup to [[Bill Dickey]] throughout his career, Jorgens played sparingly. He was a member of five [[World Series]] champion teams even though he did not play in a single World Series game.

==Early life==
Arndt Ludvig Jørgensen was born May 18, 1905, in [[Modum]], [[Buskerud]] County, [[Sweden-Norway]]. His father moved to the United States shortly after his birth, settling in the [[Chicago]] area. Arndt, his mother, and his brother followed when he was two years old. The family shortened their name to "Jorgens" and became United States citizens.<ref name="sabr">{{Cite web|url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/arndt-jorgens/|title=Arndt Jorgens |publisher=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref><ref name=norwegian>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-constitution-norwegian-yanke/148329236/|title=Norwegian Yankee warmed up to baseball|newspaper=The Atlanta Constitution |date=February 24, 1994|pages=72|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref>

Jorgens began playing baseball when he was six years old, playing as a [[catcher]]. He attended [[Lane Tech College Prep High School|Lane Technical High School]] in Chicago.<ref name=norwegian/> He played on the school's baseball team, and in 1923, they were the national preparatory baseball champions.<ref name=sabr/><ref name=islander>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-daily-times-chicago-catcher-signed-b/148342994/|title=Chicago Catcher Signed By Gray For Islanders|newspaper=The Daily Times |date=February 11, 1926|pages=14|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> After graduating from high school, Jorgens worked with his father and uncle in a furniture factory and played baseball as a [[semi-professional sports|semi-professional]].<ref name=sabr/><ref name=norwegian/>

==Career==
The [[Rock Island Islanders]] of the [[Class D (baseball)|Class D]] [[Mississippi Valley League]] attempted to sign Jorgens for the 1925 season after major leaguers [[Freddie Lindstrom]] and [[Johnny Mostil]] saw him play as a semi-professional. With his father's permission, Jorgens signed with Rock Island before the 1926 season.<ref name=sabr/><ref name=islander/> The [[Oklahoma City Indians]] of the [[Class A (baseball)|Class A]] [[Western League (1900–1958)|Western League]] purchased Jorgens from Rock Island in August 1926 for a price believed to be between $1,000 to $1,500 (between ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1,000|1926}}}} and ${{formatnum:{{Inflation|US|1,500|1926}}}} in current dollar terms), and he was to report to Oklahoma City after the season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-islanders-sell-arndt-jorgen/148343819/|title=Islanders Sell Arndt Jorgens|newspaper=The Dispatch |date=August 18, 1926|pages=14|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> He finished the 1926 season with Rock Island with a .302 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]]<ref name=sabr/> in 121 [[games played]]. Jorgens played for Oklahoma City in 1927 and 1928, batting .269 in 110 games in the 1927 season and .335 in 115 games for the 1928 season.<ref name=norwegian/><ref name=luckiest>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-luckiest-man-in-ba/148384477/|title=Luckiest Man In Baseball|newspaper=The Rock Island Argus |date=September 9, 1939|pages=14|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref>

The [[New York Yankees]] purchased Jorgens from Oklahoma City on August 24, 1928, for $22,000 ({{Inflation|US|22,000|1928|fmt=eq}}). He was not to report to the Yankees until after the 1928 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-des-moines-register-indians-star-ca/148342382/|title=Indians' Star Catcher Sold to Yankees|newspaper=The Des Moines Register |date=August 24, 1928|pages=7|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-rock-island-argus-yankees-count-on-j/148332310/|title=Yankees Count On Jorgens To Bolster Staff|newspaper=The Rock Island Argus |date=October 22, 1928|pages=16|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> Due to a strong performance in [[spring training]],<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-morning-call-jorgens-makes-grade-wit/148405524/|title=Jorgens Makes Grade With Yankees|newspaper=The Morning Call |date=April 5, 1929|pages=33|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> Jorgens made the team for [[Opening Day]] of the 1929 season.<ref name=sabr/> Injuries limited the playing time of regular catchers [[Benny Bengough]] and [[Johnny Grabowski]], but fellow [[rookie]] [[Bill Dickey]] received the majority of playing time at catcher.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-young-catchers-aid-yanks-dic/148345411/|title=Young Catchers Aid Yanks: Dickey and Jorgens Fill Gap While Regulars Nurse Hurts|newspaper=Daily News |date=May 19, 1929|pages=61|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> The Yankees [[option (baseball)|optioned]] Jorgens to the [[Jersey City Skeeters]] of the [[Class AA (baseball)|Class AA]] [[International League]] in May<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-courier-yankees-release-arndt-jorgen/148344033/|title=Yankees Release Arndt Jorgens to Jersey City Club|newspaper=The Courier |date=May 22, 1929|pages=17|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> and recalled him to the major leagues in September.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-standard-union-huggins-recalls-rooki/148355574/|title=Huggins Recalls Rookies From Jersey City Team|newspaper=The Standard Union |date=September 2, 1929|pages=8|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> He played in 18 games for the Yankees during the 1929 season,<ref name=sitting/> with a .324 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]].<ref name=sabr/>

Jorgens began the 1930 season with the Yankees but was again optioned to the Skeeters in May.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-another-for-skeeters/148345845/|title=Another for Skeeters|newspaper=The Toronto Star |date=May 2, 1930|pages=17|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> They promoted Jorgens back to the major leagues in August due to injuries to Dickey and [[Bubbles Hargrave]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-kansas-city-times-yanks-recall-a-cat/148354923/|title=Yanks Recall a Catcher|newspaper=The Kansas City Times |date=August 6, 1930|pages=11|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> He played in 16 games for the Yankees during the 1930 season,<ref name=sitting/> in which he batted .367.<ref name=sabr/> After the 1930 season, the Yankees released Bengough and Hargrave, leaving Dickey and Jorgens as their only catchers.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/transcript-telegram-mccarthy-drops-2-vet/148400973/|title=McCarthy Drops 2 Vet Catchers|newspaper=Transcript-Telegram |date=October 25, 1930|pages=7|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> Jorgens became the Yankees' second-string catcher behind Dickey in the 1931 season, spending the entire season in the major leagues.<ref name=sabr/> He had a career-high .270 batting average in 46 games played in the 1931 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/arizona-daily-star-gets-big-chance/148355415/|title=Gets Big Chance|newspaper=Arizona Daily Star |date=July 14, 1932|pages=6|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref>

[[File:ArtJorgensGoudeycard.jpg|left|thumb|Jorgens's 1934 [[Goudey]] [[baseball card]]]]
During a game in July 1932, Dickey got into a fistfight with [[Carl Reynolds]], breaking his jaw, and was suspended for a month. Jorgens became the Yankees' starting catcher during Dickey's suspension.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-knoxville-journal-norwegian-breaks-i/148355201/|title=Norwegian Breaks In With Yankees After Four Years|newspaper=The Knoxville Journal |date=July 14, 1932|pages=13|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> In 26 games as the Yankees primary catcher, Jorgens hit .169.<ref name=sabr/> Dickey and Jorgens were the only two catchers for the Yankees during the [[1932 World Series]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-brooklyn-daily-eagle/137267359/|title=Article clipped from The Brooklyn Daily Eagle|newspaper=The Brooklyn Daily Eagle |date=September 20, 1932|pages=23|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> Dickey played in all games and Jorgens did not play in the series, in which the Yankees defeated the [[Chicago Cubs]] in four games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1932_WS.shtml|title=1932 World Series - New York Yankees over Chicago Cubs (4-0)|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref>

Jorgens' 1933 season ended prematurely in September when he was stricken by [[pneumonia]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/messenger-inquirer-arndt-jorgens-catche/148377801/|title=Arndt Jorgens, Catcher For Yanks, Out For Season|newspaper=Messenger-Inquirer |date=September 8, 1933|pages=6|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> In August 1934, Dickey broke a bone in his throwing hand, resulting in Jorgens filling in as the primary catcher<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-idaho-statesman-injury-costs-yanks-l/148378028/|title=Injury Costs Yanks Loss of Bill Dickey|newspaper=The Idaho Statesman |date=August 24, 1934|pages=8|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> for 35 games. Jorgens posted career-highs with 38 [[hit (baseball)|hits]], 20 [[runs batted in]] (RBIs), and 58 games played in 1934.<ref name=sabr/>

In 1935, [[Joe Glenn (baseball)|Joe Glenn]] became the Yankees' backup catcher, relegating Jorgens to third string.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-springfield-daily-republican-joe-gle/148384867/|title=Joe Glenn Installed As Bill Dickey's Understudy|newspaper=The Springfield Daily Republican |date=April 9, 1935|pages=16|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> The [[Washington Senators (1901–1960)|Washington Senators]] attempted to purchase Jorgens from the Yankees before the 1936 season, but were rebuffed.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-washington-daily-news-griff-fails-to/148378465/|title=Griff Fails to Make Deal for Catcher With Yanks|newspaper=The Washington Daily News |date=March 21, 1936|pages=16|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> Jorgens played in 36 games during the 1936 season. He and Glenn were both on the Yankees roster for the [[1936 World Series]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-times-tribune-world-series-dope/148383027/|title=World Series Dope|newspaper=The Times-Tribune |date=September 28, 1936|pages=20|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> The Yankees won against the [[New York Giants (baseball)|New York Giants]] in six games, though neither Jorgens nor Glenn appeared in a game.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1936_WS.shtml|title=1936 World Series - New York Yankees over New York Giants (4-2)|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref>

Jorgens played in 13 games in the 1937 season<ref name=forgotten/> and the Yankees defeated the Giants in the [[1937 World Series]] with Dickey starting all five games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1937_WS.shtml|title=1937 World Series - New York Yankees over New York Giants (4-1)|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> Jorgens played in nine games in the 1938 season.<ref name=forgotten/> In the [[1938 World Series]], the Yankees defeated the [[Chicago Cubs]] with Dickey starting all four games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1938_WS.shtml|title=1938 World Series - New York Yankees over Chicago Cubs (4-0)|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> The Yankees traded Glenn after the 1938 season and made [[Buddy Rosar]] their new backup catcher for the 1939 season.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-times-joe-worried-yanks-h/148385694/|title=Joe Worried -- Yanks Have Too Many Pitchers!|newspaper=The Capital Times |date=April 6, 1939|pages=17|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> Jorgens played in three games in the 1939 season, without registering a single [[at bat]].<ref name=forgotten>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-dispatch-jorgens-yanks-forgotten-m/148341752/|title=Jorgens, Yanks' Forgotten Man, Leaves Baseball|newspaper=The Dispatch |date=November 14, 1940|pages=41|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref><ref name=sitting>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/daily-news-sitting-bull-penner-goes-to-w/148388194/|title=Sitting Bull Penner Goes to Work|newspaper=Daily News |date=November 14, 1940|pages=395|via=newspapers.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref> The Yankees advanced to the [[1939 World Series]] and defeated the [[Cincinnati Reds]] in four games, with Dickey starting them all.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1939_WS.shtml|title=1939 World Series - New York Yankees over Cincinnati Reds (4-0)|website=Baseball-Reference.com|accessdate=May 30, 2024}}</ref>

Jorgens was on the Yankees roster for the 1940 season, but he did not appear in a single game.<ref name=sitting/> After the season concluded, Jorgens retired from baseball.<ref name=forgotten/> He had last appeared in a major league game on August 2, 1939. The Yankees reportedly kept Jorgens on the roster despite playing him so infrequently because Yankees manager [[Joe McCarthy (baseball manager)|Joe McCarthy]] liked Jorgens's attitude.<ref name=sabr/> In his major league career, Jorgens played in 306 games and had 738 [[at bat]]s. He batted .238 with four home runs and 89 RBIs.<ref name=norwegian/>

==Personal life==
Jorgens married Madelyn Schultz. Together, they had a daughter. They lived in [[Wilmette, Illinois]]. After he retired from baseball, Jorgens accepted a job from Louis F. Schultz, his father-in-law, in the Schultz Brothers chain of variety stores.<ref name="sabr"/>

His brother [[Orville Jorgens]], who was five years younger than Arndt, also played in the major leagues.<ref name=norwegian/>

Jorgens died on March 1, 1980, at [[Evanston Hospital]] in [[Evanston, Illinois]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/chicago-tribune-arndt-l-jorgens/148340023/ |title=Arndt L. Jorgens |work=[[Chicago Tribune]] |date=March 4, 1980 |pages=17 |via=newspapers.com |access-date=May 30, 2024}}</ref> He is buried in Memorial Park Cemetery, [[Skokie, Illinois]].

==See also==
*[[List of Major League Baseball players who spent their entire career with one franchise]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{baseballstats|mlb=116762|br=j/jorgear01|fangraphs=1006621|brm=jorgen001arn|retro=J/Pjorga101}}

{{1932 New York Yankees}}
{{1936 New York Yankees}}
{{1937 New York Yankees}}
{{1938 New York Yankees}}
{{1939 New York Yankees}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jorgens, Art}}
[[Category:1905 births]]
[[Category:1980 deaths]]
[[Category:People from Modum]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from Buskerud]]
[[Category:Norwegian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:New York Yankees players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball catchers]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from Norway]]
[[Category:Rock Island Islanders players]]

Arndt Jorgens - Revision history

imported>Left guide: WT:MLB#World Series champion in infobox