Johnny Lipon
Born: 11/10/1922 in Martins Ferry, OH, USA
Died: 8/17/1998 in Houston, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 1942-08-16 | Final Game: 1954-04-25
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: John Joseph Lipon
Biography
Johnny Lipon was a professional baseball player born in 1922, whose career spanned from 1942 until his retirement on April 25, 1954. Primarily known as a position player, Lipon made a significant impact on the game during the post-war years, a time when baseball was regaining its popularity and integrating new talent. He played a total of 758 games in Major League Baseball, accumulating 690 hits, 10 home runs, and 266 RBIs, with a career batting average of .259. In addition to his offensive contributions, Lipon showcased his speed on the basepaths, recording 28 stolen bases throughout his career.
Lipon was known for his versatility and defensive skills, which allowed him to play multiple infield positions effectively. His playing style reflected the evolving nature of baseball during his era, as teams began to value speed and agility alongside traditional hitting prowess. Despite not being a household name, Lipon's contributions to the teams he played for, including the Detroit Tigers and the New York Yankees, helped solidify his legacy in the annals of the sport. His career encapsulated a transformative period in baseball history, bridging the gap between the pre-World War II era and the modern game that followed.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 758 | 2661 | 351 | 690 | 95 | 24 | 10 | 266 | 28 | 347 | 152 | 0.259 | 0.346 | 0.324 | 0.671 | -2816.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | DET | AL | 34 | 131 | 5 | 25 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 1 | 7 | 7 | 0.191 | -735.2 |
| 1946 | DET | AL | 14 | 20 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 3 | 0.300 | 0.0 |
| 1948 | DET | AL | 121 | 458 | 65 | 133 | 18 | 8 | 5 | 52 | 4 | 68 | 22 | 0.290 | 883.2 |
| 1949 | DET | AL | 127 | 439 | 57 | 110 | 14 | 6 | 3 | 59 | 2 | 75 | 24 | 0.251 | -226.8 |
| 1950 | DET | AL | 147 | 601 | 104 | 176 | 27 | 6 | 2 | 63 | 9 | 81 | 26 | 0.293 | 158.1 |
| 1951 | DET | AL | 129 | 487 | 56 | 129 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 38 | 7 | 49 | 27 | 0.265 | -1054.3 |
| 1952 | BOS | AL | 79 | 234 | 25 | 48 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 32 | 20 | 0.205 | -820.3 |
| 1952 | DET | AL | 39 | 136 | 17 | 30 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 12 | 3 | 16 | 6 | 0.221 | -820.3 |
| 1953 | BOS | AL | 60 | 145 | 18 | 31 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 14 | 16 | 0.214 | -662.6 |
| 1953 | SLA | AL | 7 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.222 | -662.6 |
| 1954 | CIN | NL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3B | 15 | 0 | 5 | 17 | 1 | 2 |
| SS | 717 | 0 | 1350 | 2143 | 140 | 481 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | DET | SS | 34 | 0 | 85 | 103 | 11 | 24 |
| 1946 | DET | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1946 | DET | SS | 8 | 0 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 5 |
| 1948 | DET | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1948 | DET | 3B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1948 | DET | SS | 117 | 0 | 211 | 346 | 17 | 63 |
| 1949 | DET | SS | 120 | 0 | 240 | 364 | 22 | 92 |
| 1950 | DET | SS | 147 | 0 | 273 | 483 | 33 | 126 |
| 1951 | DET | SS | 125 | 0 | 244 | 364 | 33 | 80 |
| 1952 | BOS | 3B | 7 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 2 |
| 1952 | BOS | SS | 69 | 0 | 118 | 218 | 6 | 53 |
| 1952 | DET | SS | 39 | 0 | 80 | 101 | 4 | 12 |
| 1953 | BOS | SS | 58 | 0 | 85 | 150 | 12 | 26 |
| 1953 | SLA | 2B | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1953 | SLA | 3B | 6 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 2 |
| Third Base | 15 |
| Shortstop | 717 |