Jake Early, baseball player, 1939-1949

Jake Early

Born: 5/19/1915 in Kings Mountain, NC, USA

Died: 5/31/1985 in Melbourne, FL, USA

MLB Debut: 1939-05-04 | Final Game: 1949-09-30

Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 168 lbs

Full name: Jacob Willard Early

Biography

Jake Early was a professional baseball player born in 1915, whose career spanned from 1939 to 1949. A versatile position player, Early participated in 747 games in Major League Baseball, where he established himself as a reliable contributor with a career batting average of .241. Over the course of his tenure, he recorded 532 hits, 32 home runs, and 264 runs batted in, showcasing his ability to drive in runs while maintaining a consistent presence in the lineup. Known for his speed on the bases, he also managed to steal 7 bases throughout his career. Early was selected as an All-Star during his playing days, a testament to his skills and impact on the field. He played during an era that was marked by significant transitions in baseball, including the tail end of the pre-integration period. His career reflects the competitive nature of the late 1930s through the late 1940s, a time when players like Early contributed to the evolving game as it began to embrace greater diversity and change. His contributions to the teams he played for left a lasting legacy in the annals of baseball history.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
747 2208 216 532 98 23 32 264 7 281 259 0.241 0.330 0.350 0.679 -867.0

Season-by-Season Batting

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
C 694 0 2566 417 74 65

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Catcher 694

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1943 Most Valuable Player AL 23th 6.0 336 0