Flea Clifton
Born: 12/12/1908 in Cincinnati, OH, USA
Died: 12/22/1997 in Cincinnati, OH, USA
MLB Debut: 1934-04-29 | Final Game: 1937-07-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 160 lbs
Full name: Herman Earl Clifton
Biography
Flea Clifton was born in 1908 and made his mark in Major League Baseball as a position player during a brief career that spanned from 1934 to 1937. Playing in an era characterized by a transition from the deadball era to a more offensively driven game, Clifton appeared in 87 games, showcasing a combination of speed and defensive capability. While his batting average settled at .200, he contributed to his teams with 39 hits, accumulating 13 RBIs, and successfully stealing 5 bases throughout his career.
Clifton's impact on the field extended beyond mere statistics. Although he never hit a home run in the majors, his ability to get on base and create opportunities for his teammates reflected the style of play valued in the mid-1930s. He was part of a generation of players navigating the challenges of the Great Depression, where the game was not only a source of entertainment but also a means of escape for fans. Despite a relatively short career, Flea Clifton remains a part of baseball history, embodying the spirit of perseverance and determination that characterized many players of his time.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 87 | 195 | 27 | 39 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 5 | 17 | 28 | 0.200 | 0.268 | 0.236 | 0.504 | -723.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | DET | AL | 16 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.062 | 0.0 |
| 1935 | DET | AL | 43 | 110 | 15 | 28 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 5 | 13 | 0.255 | -377.6 |
| 1936 | DET | AL | 13 | 26 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 3 | 0.192 | 0.0 |
| 1937 | DET | AL | 15 | 43 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 10 | 0.116 | -345.4 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.000 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1935 | WS | DET | 4 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 10 | 0 | 19 | 28 | 4 | 5 |
| 3B | 34 | 0 | 33 | 56 | 6 | 4 |
| SS | 14 | 0 | 18 | 27 | 2 | 5 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1934 | DET | 2B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1934 | DET | 3B | 4 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 1935 | DET | 2B | 5 | 0 | 12 | 19 | 0 | 3 |
| 1935 | DET | 3B | 21 | 0 | 22 | 35 | 4 | 2 |
| 1935 | DET | SS | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 |
| 1936 | DET | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1936 | DET | 3B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1936 | DET | SS | 6 | 0 | 12 | 13 | 2 | 3 |
| 1937 | DET | 2B | 3 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| 1937 | DET | 3B | 7 | 0 | 9 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| 1937 | DET | SS | 4 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 10 |
| Third Base | 34 |
| Shortstop | 14 |