Chet Laabs
Born: 4/30/1912 in Milwaukee, WI, USA
Died: 1/26/1983 in Warren, MI, USA
MLB Debut: 1937-05-05 | Final Game: 1947-06-03
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'8" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Chester Peter Laabs
Biography
Chet Laabs, born in 1912, was a prominent position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1937 to 1947. Known for his powerful swing and solid fielding, Laabs played in a total of 950 games, amassing 813 hits and 117 home runs. He contributed significantly to his teams, driving in 509 runs and maintaining a career batting average of .262. His speed on the bases was also notable, as evidenced by his 32 stolen bases. Laabs earned recognition during his career, culminating in an All-Star selection that highlighted his impact on the game.
Playing primarily during an era defined by the transition from the Great Depression to the post-war boom, Laabs showcased resilience and talent amidst the changing landscape of baseball. His contributions helped pave the way for future generations of players, and his ability to perform at a high level made him a respected figure in the sport. Chet Laabs' legacy endures as a testament to the skill and dedication required to succeed in the competitive environment of Major League Baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 950 | 3102 | 467 | 813 | 151 | 44 | 117 | 509 | 32 | 389 | 595 | 0.262 | 0.346 | 0.452 | 0.798 | 8180.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | DET | AL | 72 | 242 | 31 | 58 | 13 | 5 | 8 | 37 | 6 | 24 | 66 | 0.240 | -82.6 |
| 1938 | DET | AL | 64 | 211 | 26 | 50 | 7 | 3 | 7 | 37 | 3 | 15 | 52 | 0.237 | -347.9 |
| 1939 | DET | AL | 5 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.312 | 0.0 |
| 1939 | SLA | AL | 95 | 317 | 52 | 95 | 20 | 5 | 10 | 62 | 4 | 33 | 62 | 0.300 | 0.0 |
| 1940 | SLA | AL | 105 | 218 | 32 | 59 | 11 | 5 | 10 | 40 | 3 | 34 | 59 | 0.271 | 886.5 |
| 1941 | SLA | AL | 118 | 392 | 64 | 109 | 23 | 6 | 15 | 59 | 5 | 51 | 59 | 0.278 | 1390.2 |
| 1942 | SLA | AL | 144 | 520 | 90 | 143 | 21 | 7 | 27 | 99 | 0 | 88 | 88 | 0.275 | 3146.5 |
| 1943 | SLA | AL | 151 | 580 | 83 | 145 | 27 | 7 | 17 | 85 | 5 | 73 | 105 | 0.250 | 1329.5 |
| 1944 | SLA | AL | 66 | 201 | 28 | 47 | 10 | 2 | 5 | 23 | 3 | 29 | 33 | 0.234 | 149.9 |
| 1945 | SLA | AL | 35 | 109 | 15 | 26 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 16 | 17 | 0.239 | 99.9 |
| 1946 | SLA | AL | 80 | 264 | 40 | 69 | 13 | 0 | 16 | 52 | 3 | 20 | 50 | 0.261 | 696.9 |
| 1947 | PHA | AL | 15 | 32 | 5 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 4 | 4 | 0.219 | 0.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0.200 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | WS | SLA | 5 | 15 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0.200 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 820 | 0 | 1780 | 62 | 44 | 15 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1937 | DET | OF | 62 | 0 | 133 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 1938 | DET | OF | 53 | 0 | 128 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 1939 | DET | OF | 5 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1939 | SLA | OF | 79 | 0 | 199 | 7 | 6 | 0 |
| 1940 | SLA | OF | 63 | 0 | 124 | 3 | 4 | 1 |
| 1941 | SLA | OF | 100 | 0 | 217 | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| 1942 | SLA | OF | 139 | 0 | 276 | 13 | 9 | 3 |
| 1943 | SLA | OF | 150 | 0 | 346 | 16 | 9 | 4 |
| 1944 | SLA | OF | 55 | 0 | 108 | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| 1945 | SLA | OF | 35 | 0 | 68 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1946 | SLA | OF | 72 | 0 | 151 | 5 | 2 | 2 |
| 1947 | PHA | OF | 7 | 0 | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 330 |
| Center Field | 254 |
| Right Field | 252 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1943 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 23th | 6.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1942 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 19th | 9.0 | 336 | 0 |