Richie Ashburn
⭐ Hall of Fame 1995
Born: 3/19/1927 in Tilden, NE, USA
Died: 9/9/1997 in New York, NY, USA
MLB Debut: 1948-04-20 | Final Game: 1962-09-30
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: Don Richard Ashburn
Biography
Richie Ashburn was an esteemed position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1948 to 1962. Born in 1927, Ashburn made a significant impact on the game during a time when baseball was evolving in the post-war era, marked by the emergence of new playing styles and strategies. Over the course of 2,189 games, he showcased his exceptional batting skills, finishing his career with a remarkable .308 batting average, 2,574 hits, and 586 RBIs. Known for his keen eye at the plate and speedy base-running ability, he also recorded 234 stolen bases and hit 29 home runs, contributing to his team's offensive efforts.
A five-time All-Star, Ashburn was celebrated not only for his offensive prowess but also for his defensive acumen in the outfield. His ability to read the game and make crucial plays helped solidify his legacy as one of the great players of his era. Ashburn's career was characterized by a dedication to the fundamentals of the game, which endeared him to fans and teammates alike. His contributions to baseball extend beyond his playing days, as he later became a respected sports broadcaster, further influencing the sport he loved.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2189 | 8365 | 1322 | 2574 | 317 | 109 | 29 | 586 | 234 | 1198 | 571 | 0.308 | 0.396 | 0.382 | 0.778 | 18375.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | PHI | NL | 117 | 463 | 78 | 154 | 17 | 4 | 2 | 40 | 32 | 60 | 22 | 0.333 | 1297.6 |
| 1949 | PHI | NL | 154 | 662 | 84 | 188 | 18 | 11 | 1 | 37 | 9 | 58 | 38 | 0.284 | -721.1 |
| 1950 | PHI | NL | 151 | 594 | 84 | 180 | 25 | 14 | 2 | 41 | 14 | 63 | 32 | 0.303 | 447.3 |
| 1951 | PHI | NL | 154 | 643 | 92 | 221 | 31 | 5 | 4 | 63 | 29 | 50 | 37 | 0.344 | 1818.2 |
| 1952 | PHI | NL | 154 | 613 | 93 | 173 | 31 | 6 | 1 | 42 | 16 | 75 | 30 | 0.282 | 579.0 |
| 1953 | PHI | NL | 156 | 622 | 110 | 205 | 25 | 9 | 2 | 57 | 14 | 61 | 35 | 0.330 | 1399.2 |
| 1954 | PHI | NL | 153 | 559 | 111 | 175 | 16 | 8 | 1 | 41 | 11 | 125 | 46 | 0.313 | 2375.4 |
| 1955 | PHI | NL | 140 | 533 | 91 | 180 | 32 | 9 | 3 | 42 | 12 | 105 | 36 | 0.338 | 3145.9 |
| 1956 | PHI | NL | 154 | 628 | 94 | 190 | 26 | 8 | 3 | 50 | 10 | 79 | 45 | 0.303 | 1018.8 |
| 1957 | PHI | NL | 156 | 626 | 93 | 186 | 26 | 8 | 0 | 33 | 13 | 94 | 44 | 0.297 | 1163.3 |
| 1958 | PHI | NL | 152 | 615 | 98 | 215 | 24 | 13 | 2 | 33 | 30 | 97 | 48 | 0.350 | 3405.4 |
| 1959 | PHI | NL | 153 | 564 | 86 | 150 | 16 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 9 | 79 | 42 | 0.266 | -387.1 |
| 1960 | CHC | NL | 151 | 547 | 99 | 159 | 16 | 5 | 0 | 40 | 16 | 116 | 50 | 0.291 | 1427.5 |
| 1961 | CHC | NL | 109 | 307 | 49 | 79 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 19 | 7 | 55 | 27 | 0.257 | -129.0 |
| 1962 | NYN | NL | 135 | 389 | 60 | 119 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 28 | 12 | 81 | 39 | 0.306 | 1534.7 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.176 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | WS | PHI | 4 | 17 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.176 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| OF | 2104 | 1203 | 6089 | 178 | 110 | 43 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | PHI | OF | 116 | 0 | 344 | 14 | 7 | 2 |
| 1949 | PHI | OF | 154 | 0 | 514 | 13 | 11 | 3 |
| 1950 | PHI | OF | 147 | 0 | 405 | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| 1951 | PHI | OF | 154 | 0 | 538 | 15 | 7 | 6 |
| 1952 | PHI | OF | 154 | 0 | 428 | 23 | 9 | 5 |
| 1953 | PHI | OF | 156 | 0 | 496 | 18 | 5 | 4 |
| 1954 | PHI | OF | 153 | 153 | 483 | 12 | 8 | 2 |
| 1955 | PHI | OF | 140 | 139 | 387 | 10 | 7 | 3 |
| 1956 | PHI | OF | 154 | 154 | 503 | 11 | 9 | 3 |
| 1957 | PHI | OF | 156 | 156 | 502 | 18 | 7 | 7 |
| 1958 | PHI | OF | 152 | 152 | 495 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| 1959 | PHI | OF | 149 | 144 | 359 | 4 | 11 | 1 |
| 1960 | CHN | OF | 146 | 145 | 317 | 11 | 8 | 2 |
| 1961 | CHN | OF | 76 | 69 | 131 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 1962 | NYN | 2B | 2 | 1 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1962 | NYN | OF | 97 | 91 | 187 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 2 |
| Left Field | 96 |
| Center Field | 1980 |
| Right Field | 47 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1948 | TSN Rookie of the Year |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 7th | 62.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1956 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 30th | 1.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1955 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 14th | 17.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1954 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 19th | 5.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1953 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 19th | 5.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1951 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 7th | 69.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1949 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 23th | 6.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1948 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 11th | 48.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1948 | Rookie of the Year | ML | 3rd | 7.0 | 48 | 7 |