Rick Ferrell was an American professional baseball catcher and first baseman. He was born in Durham, North Carolina in 1905 and began his professional career in 1929 with the St. Louis Browns. He played 13 seasons in the American League for the Browns, Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox and the Cleveland Indians.

Ferrell was known for his defensive skills and was an All-Star for seven consecutive seasons, starting in 1933. He was a strong hitter and had a career batting average of .281, with 1380 hits, 103 home runs, 797 RBIs and a .406 slugging percentage. He was also a proficient base stealer, swiping 57 bases in his career.

In addition to his prowess on the offensive side of the game, Ferrell was also a team leader who was respected by his peers. He was known to be a practical joker, but also a well-liked teammate. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1984, largely based on his defensive skills and leadership.

Ferrell’s career was cut short by an arm injury he suffered in 1942, and he retired in 1947. However, he stayed connected to baseball and served as an executive for the Red Sox from 1948 to 1963. He was also involved in the minor leagues, both as a manager and as a scout. Ferrell was highly respected for his contributions to the game of baseball, and his legacy continues to live on.