Bruce Konopka
Born: 9/16/1919 in Hammond, IN, USA
Died: 9/27/1996 in Denver, CO, USA
MLB Debut: 1942-06-07 | Final Game: 1946-09-29
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Bruno Bruce Konopka
Biography
Bruce Konopka, born in 1919, was a professional baseball player who played as a position player from 1942 to 1946. His career unfolded during a tumultuous time in American history, as World War II significantly impacted the sport and led to a shortage of players in the Major Leagues. Despite these challenges, Konopka made his mark in the game, appearing in 45 games over his career.
With a batting average of .238, Konopka recorded 25 hits and drove in 10 runs, showcasing his contributions to the teams he played for. While he did not hit any home runs and did not steal any bases, his role as a position player was essential during the war years, as he provided depth and support to his team's roster. Though his career statistics may not reflect the prowess of some of his contemporaries, Konopka's participation in Major League Baseball during this era highlights the resilience of the sport amidst global upheaval.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | 105 | 9 | 25 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 9 | 0.238 | 0.273 | 0.295 | 0.568 | -289.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | PHA | AL | 5 | 10 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.300 | 0.0 |
| 1943 | PHA | AL | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1946 | PHA | AL | 38 | 93 | 7 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 0.237 | -289.5 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 23 | 0 | 165 | 18 | 1 | 15 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | PHA | 1B | 3 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 1946 | PHA | 1B | 20 | 0 | 148 | 17 | 1 | 13 |
| 1946 | PHA | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 23 |
| Left Field | 1 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | CA | 1940, 1941, 1942 |