Foster Castleman
Born: 1/1/1931 in Nashville, TN, USA
Died: 11/9/2020 in The Villages, FL, USA
MLB Debut: 1954-08-04 | Final Game: 1958-09-28
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Foster Ephraim Castleman
Biography
Foster Castleman was a professional baseball player born in 1931, who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1954 to 1958. A position player known for his versatility, Castleman participated in 268 games over the course of his career. He recorded 136 hits, including 20 home runs, and drove in 65 runs, finishing with a batting average of .205. While his offensive numbers may not have placed him among the league's elite, Castleman's contributions were significant during an era characterized by a transition in baseball, with the game evolving from the post-war years into a more power-oriented style.
Castleman’s career unfolded during a time when baseball was experiencing a growing emphasis on offense, and he was part of a generation of players that contributed to the evolving dynamics of the game. Although he was not known for his speed on the bases, with only 4 stolen bases to his credit, Castleman's presence in the lineup was valued for his ability to provide depth and versatility. He retired from professional play on September 28, 1958, leaving behind a legacy as a player who navigated the complexities of a rapidly changing sport.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 268 | 662 | 58 | 136 | 24 | 3 | 20 | 65 | 4 | 35 | 99 | 0.205 | 0.250 | 0.341 | 0.592 | -2270.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | NY1 | NL | 13 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1955 | NY1 | NL | 15 | 28 | 3 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.214 | 0.0 |
| 1956 | NY1 | NL | 124 | 385 | 33 | 87 | 16 | 3 | 14 | 45 | 2 | 15 | 50 | 0.226 | -1049.1 |
| 1957 | NY1 | NL | 18 | 37 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0.162 | 0.0 |
| 1958 | BAL | AL | 98 | 200 | 15 | 34 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 34 | 0.170 | -1221.7 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 12 | 6 | 25 | 19 | 1 | 5 |
| 3B | 121 | 104 | 94 | 224 | 19 | 11 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 94 | 64 | 104 | 166 | 10 | 37 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | NY1 | 3B | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1955 | NY1 | 2B | 6 | 4 | 14 | 10 | 0 | 2 |
| 1955 | NY1 | 3B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1956 | NY1 | 2B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1956 | NY1 | 3B | 107 | 97 | 90 | 213 | 17 | 10 |
| 1956 | NY1 | SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1957 | NY1 | 2B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1957 | NY1 | 3B | 7 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| 1957 | NY1 | SS | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1958 | BAL | 2B | 4 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 1 | 3 |
| 1958 | BAL | 3B | 4 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1958 | BAL | SS | 91 | 64 | 102 | 165 | 10 | 37 |
| 1958 | BAL | OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 12 |
| Third Base | 121 |
| Shortstop | 94 |
| Left Field | 1 |