Dave Brain
Born: 1/24/1879 in Hereford, Herefordshire, England
Died: 5/25/1959 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1901-04-24 | Final Game: 1908-10-07
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: David Leonard Brain
Biography
Dave Brain was a professional baseball player born in 1879, who made significant contributions to the game during the early 20th century. His career spanned from April 24, 1901, until October 7, 1908, during a time when baseball was evolving rapidly, transitioning from the Deadball Era into a period that would see more emphasis on power hitting. Brain played a total of 679 games, compiling 641 hits, 27 home runs, and 303 RBIs, while maintaining a batting average of .252. His ability to steal bases was also notable, as he successfully swiped 73 bags throughout his career, showcasing his speed and agility on the field.
Primarily recognized as a position player, Brain's versatility and skill set contributed to his teams, including the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs. He was part of a generation of players who helped shape the game in its formative years, navigating the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball and leaving a mark that would influence future players. Despite the challenges of his era, Brain established himself as a competent hitter and a reliable contributor, earning his place in the annals of baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 679 | 2543 | 254 | 641 | 97 | 52 | 27 | 303 | 73 | 134 | 216 | 0.252 | 0.292 | 0.363 | 0.655 | 1065.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | CHW | AL | 5 | 20 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.350 | 0.0 |
| 1903 | STL | NL | 119 | 464 | 44 | 107 | 8 | 15 | 1 | 60 | 21 | 25 | 29 | 0.231 | -1113.3 |
| 1904 | STL | NL | 127 | 488 | 57 | 130 | 24 | 12 | 7 | 72 | 18 | 17 | 48 | 0.266 | 754.3 |
| 1905 | PIT | NL | 85 | 307 | 31 | 79 | 17 | 6 | 3 | 46 | 8 | 15 | 31 | 0.257 | 250.9 |
| 1905 | STL | NL | 44 | 158 | 11 | 36 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 17 | 4 | 8 | 16 | 0.228 | 250.9 |
| 1906 | BSN | NL | 139 | 525 | 43 | 131 | 19 | 5 | 5 | 45 | 11 | 29 | 47 | 0.250 | -43.0 |
| 1907 | BSN | NL | 133 | 509 | 60 | 142 | 24 | 9 | 10 | 56 | 10 | 29 | 39 | 0.279 | 1691.3 |
| 1908 | CIN | NL | 16 | 55 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 3 | 0.109 | -317.4 |
| 1908 | NY1 | NL | 11 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0.176 | -317.4 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 4 | 3 | 40 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 2B | 21 | 15 | 54 | 79 | 11 | 7 |
| 3B | 431 | 383 | 600 | 1003 | 152 | 76 |
| OF | 47 | 46 | 89 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| SS | 165 | 88 | 343 | 514 | 80 | 61 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 | CHA | 2B | 5 | 0 | 14 | 16 | 3 | 4 |
| 1903 | SLN | 3B | 46 | 0 | 70 | 106 | 22 | 9 |
| 1903 | SLN | SS | 72 | 0 | 163 | 244 | 41 | 34 |
| 1904 | SLN | 1B | 4 | 3 | 40 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
| 1904 | SLN | 2B | 13 | 13 | 35 | 55 | 6 | 3 |
| 1904 | SLN | 3B | 30 | 30 | 40 | 68 | 14 | 1 |
| 1904 | SLN | SS | 59 | 57 | 109 | 182 | 23 | 21 |
| 1904 | SLN | OF | 19 | 21 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1905 | PIT | 3B | 78 | 78 | 82 | 170 | 21 | 13 |
| 1905 | PIT | SS | 4 | 4 | 11 | 12 | 1 | 2 |
| 1905 | SLN | 3B | 6 | 6 | 8 | 15 | 0 | 0 |
| 1905 | SLN | SS | 29 | 27 | 58 | 74 | 13 | 4 |
| 1905 | SLN | OF | 6 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1906 | BSN | 3B | 139 | 139 | 208 | 321 | 48 | 26 |
| 1907 | BSN | 3B | 130 | 130 | 191 | 323 | 47 | 27 |
| 1907 | BSN | OF | 3 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1908 | CIN | OF | 16 | 16 | 36 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1908 | NY1 | 2B | 3 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| 1908 | NY1 | 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1908 | NY1 | SS | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1908 | NY1 | OF | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 4 |
| Second Base | 22 |
| Third Base | 432 |
| Shortstop | 166 |
| Left Field | 28 |
| Center Field | 15 |
| Right Field | 7 |