Willie Clark
Born: 8/16/1870 in Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Died: 11/13/1932 in Pittsburgh, PA, USA
MLB Debut: 1895-06-20 | Final Game: 1899-08-03
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 195 lbs
Full name: William Otis Clark
Biography
Willie Clark was a professional baseball player who made his mark in the late 19th century, a period characterized by the transition from the deadball era to a more offense-oriented game. Born in 1870, Clark's career spanned from 1895 to 1906, during which he played in a total of 350 games. His offensive contributions included 366 hits, a batting average of .286, and 199 runs batted in, showcasing his ability to be a reliable presence at the plate. Although he hit only 2 home runs throughout his career, his skill set included notable speed on the bases, as evidenced by his 38 stolen bases.
Playing primarily as a position player, Clark was known for his versatility and solid play in the outfield. His career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, where the game was evolving from its more strategic roots into a showcase of power and speed. Clark's performance contributed to the competitive landscape of the time, making him a respected figure among his contemporaries. His legacy is a reflection of the foundational years of professional baseball, as players like him laid the groundwork for future generations.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 350 | 1280 | 188 | 366 | 54 | 35 | 2 | 199 | 38 | 114 | 75 | 0.286 | 0.358 | 0.388 | 0.745 | 679.6 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1895 | NY1 | NL | 23 | 88 | 9 | 23 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 6 | 0.261 | -262.9 |
| 1896 | NY1 | NL | 72 | 247 | 38 | 72 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 33 | 8 | 15 | 12 | 0.291 | -100.4 |
| 1897 | NY1 | NL | 117 | 436 | 63 | 122 | 17 | 12 | 1 | 75 | 18 | 37 | 29 | 0.280 | -151.0 |
| 1898 | PIT | NL | 57 | 209 | 29 | 64 | 9 | 7 | 1 | 31 | 0 | 22 | 7 | 0.306 | 649.8 |
| 1899 | PIT | NL | 81 | 300 | 49 | 85 | 13 | 10 | 0 | 44 | 11 | 35 | 21 | 0.283 | 544.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 332 | 0 | 3340 | 167 | 61 | 191 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1895 | NY1 | 1B | 23 | 0 | 213 | 14 | 6 | 16 |
| 1896 | NY1 | 1B | 65 | 0 | 634 | 25 | 17 | 40 |
| 1897 | NY1 | 1B | 108 | 0 | 1050 | 65 | 18 | 69 |
| 1897 | NY1 | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1897 | NY1 | OF | 7 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1898 | PIT | 1B | 57 | 0 | 601 | 27 | 10 | 29 |
| 1899 | PIT | 1B | 79 | 0 | 842 | 36 | 10 | 37 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 332 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 7 |