Buddy Blattner
Born: 2/8/1920 in St. Louis, MO, USA
Died: 9/5/2009 in Chesterfield, MO, USA
MLB Debut: 1942-04-18 | Final Game: 1949-10-02
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Robert Garnett Blattner
Biography
Buddy Blattner, born in 1920, was a notable position player whose professional baseball career spanned from 1942 to 1949. He played primarily during an era that was transitioning out of World War II, which had a significant impact on the player pool and the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball. Blattner appeared in 272 games, showcasing his skills primarily as an outfielder. Over the course of his career, he accumulated 176 hits, 16 home runs, and 84 RBIs, concluding with a batting average of .247. His ability to contribute offensively was complemented by his speed on the bases, as he recorded 18 stolen bases.
While Blattner's statistics may not place him among the most famous players of his time, his contributions to the teams he played for during a challenging period in baseball history reflect the resilience and dedication of athletes who navigated the complexities of the era. His time in the league coincided with a mix of returning veterans and new talent, marking a unique chapter in baseball's narrative. After retiring, Blattner's legacy continued to influence the game, reminding fans of the diverse paths players took in making their mark on America's pastime.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 272 | 713 | 112 | 176 | 34 | 8 | 16 | 84 | 18 | 102 | 96 | 0.247 | 0.347 | 0.384 | 0.731 | 1095.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | STL | NL | 19 | 23 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 0.043 | 0.0 |
| 1946 | NY1 | NL | 126 | 420 | 63 | 107 | 18 | 6 | 11 | 49 | 12 | 56 | 52 | 0.255 | 849.3 |
| 1947 | NY1 | NL | 55 | 153 | 28 | 40 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 13 | 4 | 21 | 19 | 0.261 | -34.9 |
| 1948 | NY1 | NL | 8 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 0.200 | 0.0 |
| 1949 | PHI | NL | 64 | 97 | 15 | 24 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 21 | 0 | 19 | 17 | 0.247 | 280.9 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2B | 173 | 0 | 399 | 466 | 26 | 86 |
| 3B | 23 | 0 | 18 | 17 | 2 | 3 |
| SS | 14 | 0 | 11 | 16 | 3 | 2 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | SLN | 2B | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1942 | SLN | SS | 13 | 0 | 11 | 16 | 3 | 2 |
| 1946 | NY1 | 1B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1946 | NY1 | 2B | 114 | 0 | 285 | 315 | 15 | 62 |
| 1947 | NY1 | 2B | 34 | 0 | 79 | 100 | 10 | 14 |
| 1947 | NY1 | 3B | 11 | 0 | 7 | 6 | 1 | 1 |
| 1948 | NY1 | 2B | 7 | 0 | 8 | 22 | 0 | 4 |
| 1949 | PHI | 2B | 15 | 0 | 24 | 27 | 1 | 5 |
| 1949 | PHI | 3B | 12 | 0 | 11 | 11 | 1 | 2 |
| 1949 | PHI | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 1 |
| Second Base | 173 |
| Third Base | 23 |
| Shortstop | 14 |