Solly Hemus
Born: 4/17/1923 in Phoenix, AZ, USA
Died: 10/2/2017 in Houston, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 1949-04-27 | Final Game: 1959-06-14
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 165 lbs
Full name: Solomon Joseph Hemus
Biography
Solly Hemus was a versatile position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1949 to 1959. Born in 1923, Hemus made a name for himself primarily as a shortstop and second baseman. Over the course of his tenure in the big leagues, he appeared in 961 games, amassing 736 hits and achieving a respectable batting average of .273. Hemus was known for his ability to get on base and contribute offensively, finishing his career with 51 home runs and 263 RBIs. Additionally, he showcased his speed on the bases, totaling 21 stolen bases during his time in the league.
Hemus played during a transformative period in baseball, which saw the game evolve in various aspects, including player integration and the emergence of new playing styles. His contributions to his teams, particularly the St. Louis Cardinals, highlighted his adaptability and skill as a player. Hemus's impact extended beyond just his statistics; he was recognized for his leadership qualities and his ability to perform in crucial situations. His legacy is remembered by fans and baseball historians alike as an integral part of the game during the late 1940s and 1950s.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 961 | 2694 | 459 | 736 | 137 | 41 | 51 | 263 | 21 | 456 | 248 | 0.273 | 0.390 | 0.411 | 0.801 | 7736.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | STL | NL | 20 | 33 | 8 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0.333 | 0.0 |
| 1950 | STL | NL | 11 | 15 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.133 | 0.0 |
| 1951 | STL | NL | 120 | 420 | 68 | 118 | 18 | 9 | 2 | 32 | 7 | 75 | 31 | 0.281 | 876.9 |
| 1952 | STL | NL | 151 | 570 | 105 | 153 | 28 | 8 | 15 | 52 | 1 | 96 | 55 | 0.268 | 2398.8 |
| 1953 | STL | NL | 154 | 585 | 110 | 163 | 32 | 11 | 14 | 61 | 2 | 86 | 40 | 0.279 | 1738.8 |
| 1954 | STL | NL | 124 | 214 | 43 | 65 | 15 | 3 | 2 | 27 | 5 | 55 | 27 | 0.304 | 1296.9 |
| 1955 | STL | NL | 96 | 206 | 36 | 50 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 21 | 1 | 27 | 22 | 0.243 | -15.4 |
| 1956 | PHI | NL | 78 | 187 | 24 | 54 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 24 | 1 | 28 | 21 | 0.289 | 723.4 |
| 1956 | STL | NL | 8 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.200 | 723.4 |
| 1957 | PHI | NL | 70 | 108 | 8 | 20 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 8 | 0.185 | -289.3 |
| 1958 | PHI | NL | 105 | 334 | 53 | 95 | 14 | 3 | 8 | 36 | 3 | 51 | 34 | 0.284 | 1006.4 |
| 1959 | STL | NL | 24 | 17 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 2 | 0.235 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 212 | 159 | 447 | 463 | 23 | 109 |
| 3B | 80 | 46 | 53 | 113 | 7 | 11 |
| SS | 471 | 25 | 740 | 1375 | 84 | 284 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | SLN | 2B | 16 | 0 | 29 | 24 | 1 | 4 |
| 1950 | SLN | 3B | 5 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| 1951 | SLN | 2B | 12 | 0 | 40 | 32 | 2 | 14 |
| 1951 | SLN | SS | 105 | 0 | 181 | 344 | 19 | 72 |
| 1952 | SLN | 3B | 2 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
| 1952 | SLN | SS | 148 | 0 | 253 | 452 | 29 | 104 |
| 1953 | SLN | 2B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1953 | SLN | SS | 150 | 0 | 257 | 476 | 27 | 90 |
| 1954 | SLN | 2B | 12 | 9 | 27 | 25 | 0 | 8 |
| 1954 | SLN | 3B | 27 | 4 | 9 | 24 | 1 | 3 |
| 1954 | SLN | SS | 66 | 25 | 49 | 102 | 9 | 18 |
| 1955 | SLN | 2B | 10 | 7 | 18 | 20 | 0 | 3 |
| 1955 | SLN | 3B | 43 | 40 | 38 | 70 | 5 | 7 |
| 1955 | SLN | SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1956 | PHI | 2B | 49 | 43 | 94 | 93 | 5 | 18 |
| 1956 | PHI | 3B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1957 | PHI | 2B | 24 | 21 | 51 | 45 | 2 | 10 |
| 1958 | PHI | 2B | 85 | 78 | 188 | 220 | 13 | 52 |
| 1958 | PHI | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1959 | SLN | 2B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1959 | SLN | 3B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 211 |
| Third Base | 80 |
| Shortstop | 472 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 31th | 5.0 | 336 | 0 |