Jack Dittmer
Born: 1/10/1928 in Elkader, IA, USA
Died: 5/31/2014 in Strawberry Point, IA, USA
MLB Debut: 1952-06-17 | Final Game: 1957-06-23
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: John Douglas Dittmer
Biography
Jack Dittmer, born in 1928, was a professional baseball player who played as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1952 to 1957. Over the course of his career, Dittmer appeared in 395 games, accumulating a total of 283 hits. He demonstrated power at the plate with 24 home runs and contributed significantly to his teams with 136 RBIs. His batting average stood at .232, reflecting the competitive nature of the era in which he played, a time marked by a transition from the deadball era to a more offensive-minded approach in baseball.
Dittmer’s career spanned six seasons, during which he showcased his versatility and grit on the field. Although he did not achieve superstar status, his contributions were vital to the teams he played for, and his lasting impact is remembered by fans and historians alike. With two stolen bases to his name, Dittmer also displayed a level of speed that complemented his offensive skills. His journey through the league serves as a testament to the numerous players who shaped the early years of modern baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 395 | 1218 | 117 | 283 | 43 | 4 | 24 | 136 | 2 | 77 | 102 | 0.232 | 0.280 | 0.333 | 0.614 | -3487.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | BSN | NL | 93 | 326 | 26 | 63 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 41 | 1 | 26 | 26 | 0.193 | -1333.0 |
| 1953 | ATL | NL | 138 | 504 | 54 | 134 | 22 | 1 | 9 | 63 | 1 | 18 | 35 | 0.266 | -1164.9 |
| 1954 | ATL | NL | 66 | 192 | 22 | 47 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 0 | 19 | 17 | 0.245 | -108.6 |
| 1955 | ATL | NL | 38 | 72 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0.125 | -608.2 |
| 1956 | ATL | NL | 44 | 102 | 8 | 25 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0.245 | -272.6 |
| 1957 | DET | AL | 16 | 22 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.227 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 354 | 91 | 746 | 872 | 43 | 210 |
| 3B | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | BSN | 2B | 90 | 0 | 228 | 267 | 9 | 60 |
| 1953 | ML1 | 2B | 138 | 0 | 290 | 343 | 23 | 95 |
| 1954 | ML1 | 2B | 55 | 50 | 119 | 141 | 6 | 31 |
| 1955 | ML1 | 2B | 28 | 17 | 44 | 42 | 2 | 9 |
| 1956 | ML1 | 2B | 42 | 23 | 64 | 78 | 3 | 15 |
| 1957 | DET | 2B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1957 | DET | 3B | 3 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 353 |
| Third Base | 3 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Iowa | Iowa City | IA | 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950 |