Johnny Butler
Born: 3/20/1893 in Fall River, KS, USA
Died: 4/29/1967 in Seal Beach, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1926-04-18 | Final Game: 1929-10-05
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: John Stephen Butler
Biography
Johnny Butler was a professional baseball player born in 1893 who enjoyed a career spanning from 1926 to 1929. Primarily a position player, Butler appeared in 375 games over four seasons, showcasing his skills in the Major Leagues during a time when the game was evolving both in terms of player ability and fan engagement. He recorded a total of 315 hits, resulting in a career batting average of .252, with 146 runs batted in and 3 home runs, underscoring his role as a consistent hitter and reliable contributor to his teams.
Butler's playing style was characterized by his speed on the bases, as evidenced by his 17 stolen bases, which added a dynamic element to his game. Throughout his career, he played during a transitional period in baseball history, moving away from the deadball era and into a time that would soon embrace the thrilling power and speed of the modern game. While Butler may not be remembered as a superstar, his contributions and perseverance reflected the dedication of many players of his time, carving out a respectable career in the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball. He retired from the game on October 5, 1929, leaving behind a legacy as a steadfast competitor of the late 1920s.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 375 | 1251 | 115 | 315 | 48 | 12 | 3 | 146 | 17 | 111 | 89 | 0.252 | 0.320 | 0.317 | 0.636 | -3288.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | BRO | NL | 147 | 501 | 54 | 135 | 27 | 5 | 1 | 68 | 6 | 54 | 44 | 0.269 | -430.1 |
| 1927 | BRO | NL | 149 | 521 | 39 | 124 | 13 | 6 | 2 | 57 | 9 | 34 | 33 | 0.238 | -2180.9 |
| 1928 | CHC | NL | 62 | 174 | 17 | 47 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 19 | 7 | 0.270 | -256.7 |
| 1929 | STL | NL | 17 | 55 | 5 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0.164 | -420.7 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 8 | 0 | 17 | 23 | 2 | 2 |
| 3B | 170 | 0 | 167 | 306 | 19 | 19 |
| SS | 202 | 0 | 476 | 591 | 52 | 95 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | BRO | 2B | 8 | 0 | 17 | 23 | 2 | 2 |
| 1926 | BRO | 3B | 42 | 0 | 38 | 67 | 2 | 3 |
| 1926 | BRO | SS | 102 | 0 | 243 | 317 | 30 | 43 |
| 1927 | BRO | 3B | 60 | 0 | 65 | 105 | 7 | 7 |
| 1927 | BRO | SS | 90 | 0 | 214 | 251 | 20 | 49 |
| 1928 | CHN | 3B | 59 | 0 | 51 | 120 | 9 | 9 |
| 1928 | CHN | SS | 2 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1929 | SLN | 3B | 9 | 0 | 13 | 14 | 1 | 0 |
| 1929 | SLN | SS | 8 | 0 | 17 | 19 | 1 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 9 |
| Third Base | 168 |
| Shortstop | 203 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1926 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 19th | 5.0 | 80 | 0 |