Lyman Bostock
Born: 11/22/1950 in Birmingham, AL, USA
Died: 9/24/1978 in Gary, IN, USA
MLB Debut: 1975-04-08 | Final Game: 1978-09-23
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Lyman Wesley Bostock
Biography
Lyman Bostock was an accomplished position player who made a notable impact in Major League Baseball during his brief career from 1975 to 1978. Born in 1950, Bostock burst onto the scene with a refined batting technique and an innate ability to make contact, culminating in a career batting average of .311 over 526 games. He played with the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels, showcasing a combination of speed and power that earned him respect among his peers. Bostock recorded 624 hits, 23 home runs, and 250 RBIs, along with 45 stolen bases, highlighting his versatility as both a hitter and base runner.
Bostock's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, characterized by the aftermath of the integration of the sport and the increasing importance of player statistics. His approach at the plate was marked by a keen eye for pitch selection, often leading to high on-base percentages and clutch performances. Tragically, Bostock's career was cut short when he was murdered in 1978 at the young age of 27, leaving behind a legacy that resonates with baseball fans and historians alike. His promising trajectory and the circumstances surrounding his untimely death have made him a poignant figure in the annals of baseball history.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 530.0 | 485.0 | 74.0 | 188.0 | 31.0 | 14.0 | 2.0 | 44.0 | 36.0 | 3.0 | 6.0 | 0.388 | 0.430 | 0.522 | 0.952 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | 105.0 | 101.0 | 15.0 | 29.0 | 5.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 3.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0.287 | 0.314 | 0.356 | 0.670 |
| 1941 | 91.0 | 79.0 | 10.0 | 40.0 | 5.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 8.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0.506 | 0.518 | 0.671 | 1.189 |
| 1942 | 36.0 | 31.0 | 5.0 | 11.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0.355 | 0.444 | 0.613 | 1.057 |
| 1946 | 34.0 | 31.0 | 9.0 | 28.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 5.0 | 3.0 | 0 | 0 | 0.903 | 0.912 | 1.355 | 2.267 |
| 1947 | 91.0 | 83.0 | 16.0 | 33.0 | 5.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 12.0 | 11.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0.398 | 0.468 | 0.506 | 0.974 |
| 1948 | 84.0 | 77.0 | 5.0 | 19.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 5.0 | 6.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0.247 | 0.301 | 0.299 | 0.600 |
| 1949 | 89.0 | 83.0 | 14.0 | 28.0 | 6.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 7.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.337 | 0.375 | 0.458 | 0.833 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 526 | 2004 | 305 | 624 | 102 | 30 | 23 | 250 | 45 | 171 | 174 | 0.311 | 0.365 | 0.427 | 0.791 | 4750.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | MIN | AL | 98 | 369 | 52 | 104 | 21 | 5 | 0 | 29 | 2 | 28 | 42 | 0.282 | -97.3 |
| 1976 | MIN | AL | 128 | 474 | 75 | 153 | 21 | 9 | 4 | 60 | 12 | 33 | 37 | 0.323 | 1364.5 |
| 1977 | MIN | AL | 153 | 593 | 104 | 199 | 36 | 12 | 14 | 90 | 16 | 51 | 59 | 0.336 | 2720.7 |
| 1978 | LAA | AL | 147 | 568 | 74 | 168 | 24 | 4 | 5 | 71 | 15 | 59 | 36 | 0.296 | 762.3 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 511 | 486 | 1223 | 30 | 15 | 4 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | MIN | OF | 92 | 89 | 188 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 1976 | MIN | OF | 124 | 113 | 320 | 10 | 4 | 2 |
| 1977 | MIN | OF | 149 | 141 | 349 | 10 | 4 | 0 |
| 1978 | CAL | OF | 146 | 143 | 366 | 7 | 4 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 72 |
| Center Field | 297 |
| Right Field | 149 |
| Designated Hitter | 4 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| California State University Northridge | Los Angeles | CA | 1971, 1972 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 23th | 8.0 | 392 | 0 |
| 1977 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 27th | 2.0 | 392 | 0 |