Otto Denning
Born: 12/28/1912 in Hays, KS, USA
Died: 5/25/1992 in Chicago, IL, USA
MLB Debut: 1942-04-15 | Final Game: 1943-06-04
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Otto George Denning
Biography
Otto Denning was a professional baseball player born in 1912, who played in the Major Leagues during the early 1940s, a time marked by the impact of World War II on American sports. His career spanned from April 15, 1942, to June 4, 1943, during which he appeared in 129 games primarily as a position player. Denning recorded 76 hits with a batting average of .222, contributing 32 runs batted in and hitting one home run. He also displayed speed on the bases, finishing his career with three stolen bases.
Denning's playing style was characterized by his versatility on the field and his ability to contribute to his team's offensive efforts during an era when baseball was beginning to see the effects of wartime player shortages. Despite not having overwhelming statistics, his presence on the field was part of a larger narrative in baseball history, as the sport adapted to the challenges of the 1940s. His career, while brief, reflected the spirit of perseverance and adaptability that defined baseball during this transformative period.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 129 | 343 | 23 | 76 | 20 | 0 | 1 | 32 | 3 | 23 | 15 | 0.222 | 0.272 | 0.289 | 0.561 | -1008.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | CLE | AL | 92 | 214 | 15 | 45 | 14 | 0 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 18 | 14 | 0.210 | -637.9 |
| 1943 | CLE | AL | 37 | 129 | 8 | 31 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0.240 | -370.9 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 34 | 0 | 326 | 18 | 12 | 39 |
| C | 78 | 0 | 213 | 36 | 2 | 6 |
| OF | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | CLE | C | 78 | 0 | 213 | 36 | 2 | 6 |
| 1942 | CLE | OF | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1943 | CLE | 1B | 34 | 0 | 326 | 18 | 12 | 39 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 78 |
| First Base | 34 |
| Left Field | 2 |