Elmer Foster
Born: 8/15/1861 in Minneapolis, MN, USA
Died: 7/22/1946 in Deephaven, MN, USA
MLB Debut: 1886-04-17 | Final Game: 1891-04-25
Bats: R | Throws: L | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 178 lbs
Full name: Elmer Ellsworth Foster
Biography
Elmer Foster was a professional baseball player born in 1861, whose career spanned from 1886 to 1891. Primarily serving as a position player, Foster played a total of 105 games in Major League Baseball. During his time in the league, he recorded 72 hits, 6 home runs, and 41 runs batted in, finishing his career with a batting average of .187. His speed on the bases was notable, as he accumulated 37 stolen bases, demonstrating the aggressive style of play that was becoming more prominent in the late 19th century.
Foster's career unfolded during an era when baseball was transitioning from the deadball era into a more dynamic phase, as players began to emphasize speed and base running. Although he faced challenges in achieving a higher batting average, his contributions on the field were significant in their own right, particularly in the context of the evolving game. Elmer Foster remains a figure from the formative years of professional baseball, illustrating the early struggles and triumphs of players in a sport that was still finding its identity.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 105 | 386 | 56 | 72 | 7 | 5 | 6 | 41 | 37 | 29 | 44 | 0.187 | 0.258 | 0.277 | 0.535 | -967.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1886 | NY4 | AA | 35 | 125 | 16 | 23 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0.184 | -560.4 |
| 1888 | NY1 | NL | 37 | 136 | 15 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 10 | 13 | 9 | 20 | 0.147 | -628.4 |
| 1889 | NY1 | NL | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1890 | CHC | NL | 27 | 105 | 20 | 26 | 4 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 18 | 9 | 21 | 0.248 | 221.7 |
| 1891 | CHC | NL | 4 | 16 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.188 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 21 | 0 | 58 | 75 | 23 | 4 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| OF | 84 | 0 | 163 | 10 | 23 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1886 | NY4 | 2B | 21 | 0 | 58 | 75 | 23 | 4 |
| 1886 | NY4 | OF | 14 | 0 | 19 | 2 | 9 | 0 |
| 1888 | NY1 | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1888 | NY1 | OF | 37 | 0 | 64 | 5 | 12 | 0 |
| 1889 | NY1 | OF | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1890 | CHN | OF | 27 | 0 | 69 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1891 | CHN | OF | 4 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 21 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 25 |
| Center Field | 59 |