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
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | CIN | NL | 32 | 114 | 16 | 31 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 10 | 9 | 22 | 0.272 | 348.6 |
| 1909 | CIN | NL | 124 | 446 | 73 | 107 | 17 | 6 | 1 | 34 | 54 | 56 | 76 | 0.240 | 570.7 |
| 1910 | CIN | NL | 150 | 589 | 95 | 147 | 20 | 10 | 4 | 48 | 70 | 81 | 75 | 0.250 | 850.2 |
| 1911 | CIN | NL | 153 | 599 | 106 | 165 | 32 | 10 | 1 | 45 | 81 | 102 | 78 | 0.275 | 1390.7 |
| 1912 | CIN | NL | 145 | 548 | 120 | 154 | 29 | 11 | 4 | 38 | 67 | 83 | 61 | 0.281 | 1529.1 |
| 1913 | CIN | NL | 141 | 511 | 86 | 132 | 22 | 11 | 1 | 37 | 38 | 94 | 68 | 0.258 | 1221.5 |
| 1914 | NY1 | NL | 135 | 512 | 82 | 138 | 23 | 4 | 6 | 35 | 36 | 45 | 48 | 0.270 | 642.0 |
| 1915 | STL | NL | 130 | 486 | 71 | 128 | 15 | 7 | 4 | 34 | 27 | 52 | 53 | 0.263 | 644.0 |
| 1916 | STL | NL | 151 | 561 | 78 | 132 | 24 | 8 | 6 | 43 | 39 | 60 | 50 | 0.235 | 308.1 |
| 1917 | STL | NL | 42 | 110 | 10 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 20 | 13 | 0.155 | -292.6 |
| 1918 | CLE | AL | 25 | 60 | 12 | 20 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 17 | 5 | 0.333 | 480.2 |
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
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1908 | CIN | OF | 32 | 32 | 82 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
| 1909 | CIN | OF | 117 | 112 | 247 | 14 | 13 | 4 |
| 1910 | CIN | OF | 150 | 150 | 339 | 16 | 20 | 4 |
| 1911 | CIN | OF | 153 | 0 | 267 | 21 | 14 | 2 |
| 1912 | CIN | OF | 143 | 0 | 347 | 15 | 14 | 4 |
| 1913 | CIN | OF | 138 | 0 | 283 | 22 | 10 | 2 |
| 1914 | NY1 | OF | 126 | 0 | 298 | 14 | 13 | 7 |
| 1915 | SLN | OF | 129 | 0 | 257 | 12 | 8 | 1 |
| 1916 | SLN | OF | 151 | 0 | 284 | 18 | 15 | 2 |
| 1917 | SLN | OF | 32 | 0 | 61 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1918 | CLE | OF | 17 | 0 | 28 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
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 |