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
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | WSN | AL | 32 | 84 | 8 | 22 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 0.262 | -121.8 |
| 1940 | WSN | AL | 80 | 206 | 26 | 53 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 23 | 22 | 0.257 | 82.6 |
| 1941 | WSN | AL | 104 | 355 | 42 | 102 | 20 | 7 | 10 | 54 | 0 | 24 | 38 | 0.287 | 763.6 |
| 1942 | WSN | AL | 104 | 353 | 31 | 72 | 14 | 2 | 3 | 46 | 0 | 37 | 37 | 0.204 | -1053.5 |
| 1943 | WSN | AL | 126 | 423 | 37 | 109 | 23 | 3 | 5 | 60 | 5 | 53 | 43 | 0.258 | 566.0 |
| 1946 | WSN | AL | 64 | 189 | 13 | 38 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 18 | 0 | 23 | 27 | 0.201 | -477.5 |
| 1947 | SLA | AL | 87 | 214 | 25 | 48 | 9 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 0 | 54 | 34 | 0.224 | 221.7 |
| 1948 | WSN | AL | 97 | 246 | 22 | 54 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 28 | 2 | 36 | 33 | 0.220 | -739.3 |
| 1949 | WSN | AL | 53 | 138 | 12 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 26 | 11 | 0.246 | -108.8 |
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
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | WS1 | C | 24 | 0 | 95 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| 1940 | WS1 | C | 56 | 0 | 276 | 41 | 10 | 5 |
| 1941 | WS1 | C | 100 | 0 | 385 | 52 | 16 | 13 |
| 1942 | WS1 | C | 98 | 0 | 392 | 71 | 9 | 11 |
| 1943 | WS1 | C | 122 | 0 | 443 | 83 | 11 | 10 |
| 1946 | WS1 | C | 64 | 0 | 246 | 45 | 12 | 7 |
| 1947 | SLA | C | 85 | 0 | 301 | 43 | 4 | 5 |
| 1948 | WS1 | C | 92 | 0 | 268 | 51 | 3 | 7 |
| 1949 | WS1 | C | 53 | 0 | 160 | 22 | 5 | 6 |
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 |