Mike Garbark
Born: 2/2/1916 in Houston, TX, USA
Died: 8/31/1994 in Charlotte, NC, USA
MLB Debut: 1944-04-18 | Final Game: 1945-09-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 200 lbs
Full name: Nathaniel Michael Garbark
Biography
Mike Garbark was a professional baseball player born in 1916, who played the majority of his career during the tumultuous years of World War II. His major league tenure spanned from April 18, 1944, to September 1, 1945, a period marked by the absence of many star players who were enlisted in the military. Garbark played as a position player, appearing in a total of 149 games. He finished his career with 116 hits, 2 home runs, and 59 RBIs, achieving a batting average of .244.
Despite the challenges of competing in an era when the talent pool was affected by the war, Garbark made his mark on the game. His contributions in the field and at the plate reflected the resilience of players who stepped up during a significant period in baseball history. While not known for speed on the bases, as evidenced by his 0 stolen bases, Garbark's ability to drive in runs underscored his value as a dependable team player. His legacy remains a reminder of the dedication and perseverance of athletes during a time when the world was facing unprecedented challenges.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 149 | 475 | 46 | 116 | 14 | 7 | 2 | 59 | 0 | 48 | 39 | 0.244 | 0.316 | 0.316 | 0.632 | -592.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | NYY | AL | 89 | 299 | 23 | 78 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 33 | 0 | 25 | 27 | 0.261 | -274.7 |
| 1945 | NYY | AL | 60 | 176 | 23 | 38 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 26 | 0 | 23 | 12 | 0.216 | -318.1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 144 | 0 | 574 | 88 | 12 | 19 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | NYA | C | 85 | 0 | 372 | 47 | 5 | 9 |
| 1945 | NYA | C | 59 | 0 | 202 | 41 | 7 | 10 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 144 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Villanova University | Villanova | PA | 1936, 1937, 1938 |