Joe Gantenbein
Born: 8/25/1915 in San Francisco, CA, USA
Died: 8/2/1993 in Novato, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1939-04-20 | Final Game: 1940-09-28
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 168 lbs
Full name: Joseph Steven Gantenbein
Biography
Joe Gantenbein was a professional baseball player who made his mark in the Major Leagues during the transitional period of the late 1930s to the early 1940s. Born in 1915, Gantenbein's career unfolded from 1939 to 1940, a time when the game was beginning to shift from the deadball era to a new phase of offensive excitement. He played primarily as a position player, appearing in 186 games over the course of his career.
Throughout his time in the league, Gantenbein showcased a solid offensive profile, finishing with a batting average of .272. He recorded 148 hits, including 8 home runs, and drove in 59 runs, contributing significantly to his team's offensive efforts. While he was not known for his speed on the bases, with only 2 stolen bases to his name, Gantenbein's ability to consistently put the bat on the ball and produce runs made him a valuable asset during his tenure. His contributions to the game, although perhaps overshadowed by the star players of his time, reflect the competitive spirit and evolving nature of baseball during this era.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 186 | 545 | 68 | 148 | 20 | 6 | 8 | 59 | 2 | 43 | 43 | 0.272 | 0.328 | 0.374 | 0.703 | -465.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | PHA | AL | 111 | 348 | 47 | 101 | 14 | 4 | 4 | 36 | 1 | 32 | 22 | 0.290 | 34.0 |
| 1940 | PHA | AL | 75 | 197 | 21 | 47 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 23 | 1 | 11 | 21 | 0.239 | -499.1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 6 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 2B | 76 | 0 | 165 | 179 | 19 | 26 |
| 3B | 59 | 0 | 39 | 88 | 9 | 13 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 8 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 3 | 2 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | PHA | 2B | 76 | 0 | 165 | 179 | 19 | 26 |
| 1939 | PHA | 3B | 14 | 0 | 8 | 13 | 1 | 2 |
| 1939 | PHA | SS | 5 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 3 | 2 |
| 1940 | PHA | 1B | 6 | 0 | 26 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1940 | PHA | 3B | 45 | 0 | 31 | 75 | 8 | 11 |
| 1940 | PHA | SS | 3 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1940 | PHA | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 6 |
| Second Base | 76 |
| Third Base | 59 |
| Shortstop | 8 |
| Left Field | 1 |