Ben Koehler
Born: 1/26/1877 in Schondorf, Bavaria, Germany
Died: 5/21/1961 in South Bend, IN, USA
MLB Debut: 1905-04-23 | Final Game: 1906-10-07
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Bernard James Koehler
Biography
Ben Koehler was a professional baseball player born in 1877, whose career spanned from 1905 to 1906. Primarily a position player, Koehler played in a total of 208 games during his brief time in Major League Baseball. He finished his career with 168 hits, accumulating a batting average of .233. Throughout his time on the field, Koehler contributed to his teams with 62 runs batted in and showcased his speed on the bases by stealing 31 bases. His power was modest, as he recorded 2 home runs, but his overall contributions were significant in the context of the early 20th century baseball landscape.
Koehler's playing career occurred during a transformative period in baseball, just before the rise of the deadball era, which would emphasize pitching and defense over offensive fireworks. His ability to steal bases highlighted his agility and tactical awareness, traits that were valued in a game that was beginning to evolve. While Koehler may not have achieved the fame of some of his contemporaries, his role as a reliable position player during the formative years of Major League Baseball contributed to the development of the sport and set the stage for future generations of players.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 208 | 722 | 82 | 168 | 15 | 7 | 2 | 62 | 31 | 56 | 111 | 0.233 | 0.295 | 0.281 | 0.576 | -948.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1905 | SLA | AL | 142 | 536 | 55 | 127 | 14 | 6 | 2 | 47 | 22 | 32 | 82 | 0.237 | -791.5 |
| 1906 | SLA | AL | 66 | 186 | 27 | 41 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 9 | 24 | 29 | 0.220 | -156.5 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 12 | 11 | 111 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| 2B | 13 | 12 | 21 | 27 | 4 | 4 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 176 | 171 | 308 | 32 | 12 | 15 |
| SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1905 | SLA | 1B | 12 | 11 | 111 | 5 | 1 | 6 |
| 1905 | SLA | 2B | 6 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 1 | 1 |
| 1905 | SLA | OF | 124 | 125 | 227 | 24 | 8 | 11 |
| 1906 | SLA | 2B | 7 | 7 | 12 | 15 | 3 | 3 |
| 1906 | SLA | 3B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1906 | SLA | SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1906 | SLA | OF | 52 | 46 | 81 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 12 |
| Second Base | 15 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Shortstop | 2 |
| Center Field | 164 |
| Right Field | 13 |