Neil Berry
Born: 1/11/1922 in Kalamazoo, MI, USA
Died: 8/24/2016 in Kalamazoo, MI, USA
MLB Debut: 1948-04-20 | Final Game: 1954-05-11
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 168 lbs
Full name: Cornelius John Berry
Biography
Neil Berry, born in 1922, was a professional baseball player who played primarily as a position player from 1948 to 1954. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 442 games in Major League Baseball, showcasing a blend of versatility and grit during an era marked by the transition between the post-war years and the rise of modern baseball. Berry recorded a total of 265 hits, contributing 74 RBIs to his teams while maintaining a batting average of .244. Although he did not hit any home runs during his career, his ability to steal bases was evident with 11 successful attempts, demonstrating his speed and base-running acumen.
Berry's career unfolded during a significant period in baseball history, as the sport was experiencing shifts in player demographics and playing styles. While he may not have been a star player, Berry's contributions were felt in the dugout and on the field, where he provided reliable depth to his teams. His journey through the game reflected the challenges and competitiveness of the era, as he navigated a landscape filled with emerging talents and established veterans. Berry's legacy is preserved in the annals of baseball history, where his work ethic and determination continue to inspire future generations of players.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 442 | 1087 | 148 | 265 | 28 | 9 | 0 | 74 | 11 | 113 | 105 | 0.244 | 0.317 | 0.286 | 0.603 | -2915.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | DET | AL | 87 | 256 | 46 | 68 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 37 | 23 | 0.266 | -284.6 |
| 1949 | DET | AL | 109 | 329 | 38 | 78 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 4 | 27 | 24 | 0.237 | -1380.9 |
| 1950 | DET | AL | 39 | 40 | 9 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1951 | DET | AL | 67 | 157 | 17 | 36 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 4 | 10 | 15 | 0.229 | -653.3 |
| 1952 | DET | AL | 73 | 189 | 22 | 43 | 4 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 22 | 19 | 0.228 | -469.0 |
| 1953 | CHW | AL | 5 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.125 | 0.0 |
| 1953 | SLA | AL | 57 | 99 | 14 | 28 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 10 | 0.283 | 0.0 |
| 1954 | BAL | AL | 5 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.111 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 151 | 0 | 338 | 363 | 19 | 83 |
| 3B | 28 | 0 | 22 | 33 | 9 | 2 |
| SS | 172 | 3 | 252 | 439 | 37 | 92 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | DET | 2B | 26 | 0 | 71 | 79 | 3 | 15 |
| 1948 | DET | SS | 41 | 0 | 67 | 120 | 14 | 31 |
| 1949 | DET | 2B | 95 | 0 | 225 | 234 | 14 | 56 |
| 1949 | DET | SS | 4 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1950 | DET | 2B | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| 1950 | DET | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1950 | DET | SS | 12 | 0 | 20 | 31 | 3 | 13 |
| 1951 | DET | 2B | 10 | 0 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 2 |
| 1951 | DET | 3B | 7 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| 1951 | DET | SS | 38 | 0 | 63 | 106 | 10 | 19 |
| 1952 | DET | 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1952 | DET | SS | 66 | 0 | 90 | 158 | 9 | 26 |
| 1953 | CHA | 2B | 3 | 0 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| 1953 | SLA | 2B | 15 | 0 | 26 | 27 | 2 | 8 |
| 1953 | SLA | 3B | 18 | 0 | 15 | 18 | 7 | 1 |
| 1953 | SLA | SS | 6 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| 1954 | BAL | SS | 5 | 3 | 6 | 7 | 0 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 151 |
| Third Base | 28 |
| Shortstop | 171 |