Happy Felsch
Born: 4/7/1891 in Milwaukee, WI, USA
Died: 8/17/1964 in Milwaukee, WI, USA
MLB Debut: 1915-04-14 | Final Game: 1920-09-26
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Oscar Emil Felsch
Biography
Happy Felsch was a notable American baseball player born in 1891, who played in the Major Leagues from 1915 until 1920. Primarily recognized as an outfielder, Felsch showcased his talents during a time when the game was transitioning from the deadball era into a more offensively driven style. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 749 games, compiling a commendable batting average of .293. Felsch was known for his offensive prowess, amassing 825 hits, 38 home runs, and 446 runs batted in (RBIs), while also demonstrating speed on the bases with 88 stolen bases.
Felsch's career was significantly impacted by his involvement with the infamous 1919 Chicago White Sox, a team that became embroiled in the Black Sox Scandal, which tarnished the image of baseball during that era. Despite the controversy, Felsch's contributions on the field remained noteworthy, and he left a lasting mark in the annals of baseball history. His ability to hit for average and power, along with his base-running skills, made him a valuable player of his time, as he navigated the complexities of a changing game. Felsch's legacy continues to be a point of interest for baseball historians and fans alike.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 749 | 2812 | 385 | 825 | 135 | 64 | 38 | 446 | 88 | 207 | 251 | 0.293 | 0.347 | 0.427 | 0.774 | 8585.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1915 | CHW | AL | 121 | 427 | 65 | 106 | 18 | 11 | 3 | 53 | 16 | 51 | 59 | 0.248 | 576.8 |
| 1916 | CHW | AL | 146 | 546 | 73 | 164 | 24 | 12 | 7 | 70 | 13 | 31 | 67 | 0.300 | 1821.6 |
| 1917 | CHW | AL | 152 | 575 | 75 | 177 | 17 | 10 | 6 | 102 | 26 | 33 | 52 | 0.308 | 1893.6 |
| 1918 | CHW | AL | 53 | 206 | 16 | 52 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 6 | 15 | 13 | 0.252 | -79.0 |
| 1919 | CHW | AL | 135 | 502 | 68 | 138 | 34 | 11 | 7 | 86 | 19 | 40 | 35 | 0.275 | 1220.8 |
| 1920 | CHW | AL | 142 | 556 | 88 | 188 | 40 | 15 | 14 | 115 | 8 | 37 | 25 | 0.338 | 3151.5 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 48 | 6 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 2 | 9 | 0.229 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1919 | WS | CHA | 8 | 26 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0.192 |
| 1917 | WS | CHA | 6 | 22 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 0.273 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 741 | 0 | 1921 | 116 | 53 | 41 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1915 | CHA | OF | 118 | 0 | 247 | 9 | 11 | 1 |
| 1916 | CHA | OF | 141 | 0 | 340 | 19 | 7 | 5 |
| 1917 | CHA | OF | 152 | 0 | 440 | 24 | 7 | 5 |
| 1918 | CHA | OF | 53 | 0 | 149 | 7 | 7 | 5 |
| 1919 | CHA | OF | 135 | 0 | 360 | 32 | 13 | 15 |
| 1920 | CHA | OF | 142 | 0 | 385 | 25 | 8 | 10 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 35 |
| Center Field | 701 |
| Right Field | 8 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1917 | Baseball Magazine All-Star | OF |