Bob Cerv
Born: 5/5/1925 in Weston, NE, USA
Died: 4/6/2017 in Blair, NE, USA
MLB Debut: 1951-08-01 | Final Game: 1962-07-29
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 200 lbs
Full name: Robert Henry Cerv
Biography
Bob Cerv was a notable position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1951 to 1962. Born in 1925, Cerv made his mark in the game during a time when baseball was evolving, transitioning from the post-war years into a period of burgeoning offensive output. He played a total of 829 games, accumulating 624 hits and demonstrating consistent power with 105 home runs and 374 RBIs. His career batting average was a respectable .276, reflecting his ability to contribute effectively at the plate. Cerv also showcased his speed on the bases, finishing with 12 stolen bases over his career.
Cerv was selected as an All-Star once during his tenure, highlighting his recognition among peers and fans alike. His playing style combined a solid batting approach with the ability to drive in runs, making him a valuable asset to the teams he played for. Over his career, he showcased versatility and resilience, characteristics that defined many players of his era. As baseball continued to grow in popularity and complexity during the 1950s, Bob Cerv's contributions to the game remain a noteworthy part of the sport's rich history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 829 | 2261 | 320 | 624 | 96 | 26 | 105 | 374 | 12 | 212 | 392 | 0.276 | 0.340 | 0.481 | 0.821 | 6200.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | NYY | AL | 12 | 28 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0.214 | 0.0 |
| 1952 | NYY | AL | 36 | 87 | 11 | 21 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 9 | 22 | 0.241 | -69.5 |
| 1953 | NYY | AL | 8 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1954 | NYY | AL | 56 | 100 | 14 | 26 | 6 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 0 | 11 | 17 | 0.260 | 168.7 |
| 1955 | NYY | AL | 55 | 85 | 17 | 29 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 22 | 4 | 7 | 16 | 0.341 | 476.2 |
| 1956 | NYY | AL | 54 | 115 | 16 | 35 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 25 | 0 | 18 | 13 | 0.304 | 543.9 |
| 1957 | KC1 | AL | 124 | 345 | 35 | 94 | 14 | 2 | 11 | 44 | 1 | 20 | 57 | 0.272 | 68.9 |
| 1958 | KC1 | AL | 141 | 515 | 93 | 157 | 20 | 7 | 38 | 104 | 3 | 50 | 82 | 0.305 | 3409.9 |
| 1959 | KC1 | AL | 125 | 463 | 61 | 132 | 22 | 4 | 20 | 87 | 3 | 35 | 87 | 0.285 | 1012.5 |
| 1960 | KC1 | AL | 23 | 78 | 14 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 17 | 0.256 | 257.6 |
| 1960 | NYY | AL | 87 | 216 | 32 | 54 | 11 | 1 | 8 | 28 | 0 | 30 | 36 | 0.250 | 257.6 |
| 1961 | LAA | AL | 18 | 57 | 3 | 9 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0.158 | -347.3 |
| 1961 | NYY | AL | 57 | 118 | 17 | 32 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 20 | 1 | 12 | 17 | 0.271 | -347.3 |
| 1962 | HOU | NL | 19 | 31 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 10 | 0.226 | 0.0 |
| 1962 | NYY | AL | 14 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0.118 | 0.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 31 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 0.258 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | WS | NYA | 4 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.357 |
| 1956 | WS | NYA | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1955 | WS | NYA | 5 | 16 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0.125 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 6 | 6 | 46 | 5 | 1 | 5 |
| OF | 594 | 506 | 1094 | 47 | 28 | 9 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | NYA | OF | 9 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1952 | NYA | OF | 27 | 0 | 52 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1954 | NYA | OF | 24 | 21 | 25 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 1955 | NYA | OF | 20 | 13 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1956 | NYA | OF | 44 | 30 | 59 | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| 1957 | KC1 | OF | 89 | 77 | 157 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 1958 | KC1 | OF | 136 | 135 | 311 | 13 | 5 | 3 |
| 1959 | KC1 | OF | 119 | 119 | 231 | 8 | 5 | 2 |
| 1960 | KC1 | OF | 21 | 21 | 39 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1960 | NYA | 1B | 3 | 3 | 22 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 1960 | NYA | OF | 51 | 44 | 101 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| 1961 | LAA | OF | 15 | 14 | 17 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1961 | NYA | 1B | 3 | 3 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 1961 | NYA | OF | 30 | 24 | 55 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1962 | HOU | OF | 6 | 5 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1962 | NYA | OF | 3 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 6 |
| Left Field | 497 |
| Center Field | 71 |
| Right Field | 37 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska at Lincoln | Lincoln | NE | 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1958 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 4th | 164.0 | 336 | 3 |