Will Foley
Born: 11/15/1855 in Chicago, IL, USA
Died: 11/12/1916 in Chicago, IL, USA
MLB Debut: 1875-08-23 | Final Game: 1884-05-22
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 150 lbs
Full name: William Brown Foley
Biography
Will Foley, born in 1855, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in the late 19th century, a time that was characterized by the burgeoning popularity of America's pastime. His career spanned from 1875 to 1884, during which he played a total of 253 games. Foley's role as a position player saw him accumulate 224 hits, alongside 76 RBIs, culminating in a batting average of .228. While he did not hit any home runs or steal bases, his contributions were more reflective of the playing style of the era, which prioritized contact hitting and defense over power.
Foley's playing career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball history, marking the transition from the so-called "deadball era" to a more offensively charged game. Although he may not have been a standout by modern statistical standards, his presence on the field during the early years of professional baseball contributed to the development of the sport. Foley's legacy lies in his participation in a pivotal time for baseball, helping to shape the game as it grew in popularity and complexity.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 253 | 982 | 112 | 224 | 23 | 10 | 0 | 76 | 0 | 20 | 62 | 0.228 | 0.244 | 0.272 | 0.515 | -2063.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1875 | CH2 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.250 | 0.0 | |
| 1876 | CN1 | NL | 58 | 221 | 19 | 50 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 0.226 | -625.2 |
| 1877 | CN1 | NL | 56 | 216 | 23 | 41 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 0.190 | -1045.8 |
| 1878 | ML2 | NL | 56 | 229 | 33 | 62 | 8 | 5 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 7 | 14 | 0.271 | 228.2 |
| 1879 | CN1 | NL | 56 | 218 | 22 | 46 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 0.211 | -719.5 |
| 1881 | DTN | NL | 5 | 15 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0.133 | 0.0 |
| 1884 | CHU | UA | 19 | 71 | 15 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0.282 | 99.1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| 3B | 211 | 0 | 302 | 409 | 159 | 35 |
| C | 27 | 0 | 103 | 26 | 25 | 1 |
| OF | 25 | 0 | 38 | 9 | 8 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1875 | CH2 | 3B | 3 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 3 | 1 |
| 1876 | CN1 | C | 20 | 0 | 70 | 10 | 22 | 1 |
| 1876 | CN1 | 3B | 46 | 0 | 67 | 101 | 41 | 4 |
| 1877 | CN1 | 3B | 56 | 0 | 94 | 130 | 44 | 9 |
| 1878 | ML2 | C | 7 | 0 | 33 | 16 | 3 | 0 |
| 1878 | ML2 | 3B | 53 | 0 | 68 | 87 | 36 | 8 |
| 1879 | CN1 | 2B | 3 | 0 | 6 | 9 | 4 | 0 |
| 1879 | CN1 | 3B | 29 | 0 | 46 | 54 | 22 | 8 |
| 1879 | CN1 | OF | 25 | 0 | 38 | 9 | 8 | 0 |
| 1881 | DTN | 3B | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| 1884 | CHU | 3B | 19 | 0 | 18 | 23 | 10 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 27 |
| Second Base | 3 |
| Third Base | 211 |
| Right Field | 25 |