Bob Bescher, baseball player, 1908-1918

Bob Bescher

Born: 2/25/1884 in London, OH, USA

Died: 11/29/1942 in London, OH, USA

MLB Debut: 1908-09-05 | Final Game: 1918-09-01

Bats: B | Throws: L | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 200 lbs

Full name: Robert Henry Bescher

Biography

Bob Bescher was a professional baseball player born in 1884, whose career spanned from 1908 to 1918. He played primarily as a position player and made a significant impact in the early years of Major League Baseball. Bescher was known for his speed on the bases, evidenced by his impressive total of 428 stolen bases, which was one of the highest in the league during his era. Over the course of 1,228 games, he compiled 1,171 hits, showcasing his ability to consistently reach base, while also recording 28 home runs and 345 RBIs. His career batting average stood at .258, reflecting the competitive nature of hitting in the early 20th century. Bescher's playing style was characterized by aggressive baserunning and an excellent sense of timing, which allowed him to excel in stolen bases. He played during a transformative period in baseball history, just before the onset of the deadball era, when speed and strategy were paramount to a team's success. Throughout his career, Bescher contributed to the teams he played for, leaving a lasting legacy as a skilled player who understood the intricacies of the game. His accomplishments on the field not only highlighted his individual talent but also underscored the evolving dynamics of baseball during his time.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1228 4536 749 1171 190 74 28 345 428 619 549 0.258 0.353 0.351 0.704 7692.6

Season-by-Season Batting

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
OF 1188 294 2493 137 109 28

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Left Field 1054
Center Field 121
Right Field 18

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
Wittenberg University Springfield OH 1904, 1905

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1912 Most Valuable Player NL 5th 17.0 64 0
1911 Most Valuable Player NL 17th 4.0 64 0