Solly Drake
Born: 10/23/1930 in Little Rock, AR, USA
Died: 8/18/2021 in Los Angeles, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1956-04-17 | Final Game: 1959-09-27
Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: Solomon Louis Drake
Biography
Solly Drake was a professional baseball player who enjoyed a brief but noteworthy career in Major League Baseball from 1956 to 1959. Born in 1930, Drake played primarily as a position player, appearing in a total of 141 games throughout his time in the league. He made his debut during an era characterized by the transition from the post-war years to a more modern approach to the game, where speed and versatility began to take precedence.
Drake finished his career with 66 hits, 2 home runs, and 18 RBIs, achieving a batting average of .232. Notably, he showcased his speed on the bases with 15 stolen bases, illustrating his ability to impact the game beyond just hitting. Although his statistical contributions may not have placed him among the game's greats, Drake's presence during a transformative period in baseball history reflects the diverse talents and roles that players of his time embraced. His legacy is a reminder of the many athletes who contributed to the rich tapestry of the sport, even if they did not achieve superstar status.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 141 | 285 | 41 | 66 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 18 | 15 | 32 | 53 | 0.232 | 0.311 | 0.295 | 0.606 | -751.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | CHC | NL | 65 | 215 | 29 | 55 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 9 | 23 | 35 | 0.256 | -288.9 |
| 1959 | LAD | NL | 9 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1959 | PHI | NL | 67 | 62 | 10 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 15 | 0.145 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 94 | 63 | 179 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1956 | CHN | OF | 53 | 52 | 142 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1959 | LAN | OF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1959 | PHI | OF | 37 | 10 | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 22 |
| Center Field | 65 |
| Right Field | 12 |