Buddy Kerr
Born: 11/6/1922 in Astoria, NY, USA
Died: 11/7/2006 in New York, NY, USA
MLB Debut: 1943-09-08 | Final Game: 1951-09-30
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: John Joseph Kerr
Biography
Buddy Kerr was a professional baseball player born in 1922, who played primarily as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1943 to 1951. Known for his diligent play and versatility on the field, Kerr appeared in 1,067 games throughout his career. He recorded 903 hits, 31 home runs, and 333 RBIs, finishing his tenure with a batting average of .249. Kerr also showcased his speed on the bases, accumulating 38 stolen bases. His contributions to the game were recognized with an All-Star selection during his career, highlighting his status among his peers in an era marked by fierce competition and the transition of the game through the mid-20th century.
Kerr's career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball history, which included the effects of World War II on the player pool and the eventual integration of the sport. Despite the challenges of the era, he established himself as a reliable player who could contribute in various roles on the field. His performance left a lasting impact, and he is remembered as a solid competitor during a time when baseball was rapidly evolving.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11.0 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0.222 | 0.300 | 0.444 | 0.744 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1945 | 11.0 | 9.0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0.222 | 0.300 | 0.444 | 0.744 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1067 | 3631 | 378 | 903 | 145 | 25 | 31 | 333 | 38 | 324 | 280 | 0.249 | 0.312 | 0.328 | 0.640 | -6863.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | NY1 | NL | 27 | 98 | 14 | 28 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 1 | 8 | 5 | 0.286 | 157.6 |
| 1944 | NY1 | NL | 150 | 548 | 68 | 146 | 31 | 4 | 9 | 63 | 14 | 37 | 32 | 0.266 | 176.2 |
| 1945 | NY1 | NL | 149 | 546 | 53 | 136 | 20 | 3 | 4 | 40 | 5 | 41 | 34 | 0.249 | -1000.2 |
| 1946 | NY1 | NL | 145 | 497 | 50 | 124 | 20 | 3 | 6 | 40 | 7 | 53 | 31 | 0.249 | -324.1 |
| 1947 | NY1 | NL | 138 | 547 | 73 | 157 | 23 | 5 | 7 | 49 | 2 | 36 | 49 | 0.287 | -59.2 |
| 1948 | NY1 | NL | 144 | 496 | 41 | 119 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 46 | 9 | 56 | 36 | 0.240 | -1592.3 |
| 1949 | NY1 | NL | 90 | 220 | 16 | 46 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 21 | 23 | 0.209 | -1204.0 |
| 1950 | BSN | NL | 155 | 507 | 45 | 115 | 24 | 6 | 2 | 46 | 0 | 50 | 50 | 0.227 | -2136.0 |
| 1951 | BSN | NL | 69 | 172 | 18 | 32 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 18 | 0 | 22 | 20 | 0.186 | -881.1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 5 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 3B | 18 | 0 | 24 | 28 | 2 | 2 |
| SS | 1038 | 0 | 2045 | 3297 | 185 | 548 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | NY1 | SS | 27 | 0 | 60 | 90 | 7 | 10 |
| 1944 | NY1 | SS | 149 | 0 | 328 | 507 | 40 | 81 |
| 1945 | NY1 | SS | 148 | 0 | 333 | 515 | 32 | 81 |
| 1946 | NY1 | 3B | 18 | 0 | 24 | 28 | 2 | 2 |
| 1946 | NY1 | SS | 126 | 0 | 240 | 400 | 12 | 66 |
| 1947 | NY1 | SS | 138 | 0 | 270 | 461 | 17 | 77 |
| 1948 | NY1 | SS | 143 | 0 | 269 | 456 | 25 | 72 |
| 1949 | NY1 | SS | 89 | 0 | 125 | 224 | 15 | 33 |
| 1950 | BSN | SS | 155 | 0 | 310 | 471 | 28 | 97 |
| 1951 | BSN | 2B | 5 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0 | 3 |
| 1951 | BSN | SS | 63 | 0 | 110 | 173 | 9 | 31 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 5 |
| Third Base | 18 |
| Shortstop | 1037 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 11th | 37.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1945 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 21th | 7.0 | 336 | 0 |