Frank Malzone
Born: 2/28/1930 in Bronx, NY, USA
Died: 12/29/2015 in Needham, MA, USA
MLB Debut: 1955-09-17 | Final Game: 1966-10-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Frank James Malzone
Biography
Frank Malzone was a prominent American baseball player, renowned for his contributions as a third baseman during a career that spanned from 1955 to 1966. Born in 1930, Malzone made a significant impact in Major League Baseball, primarily with the Boston Red Sox, where he showcased a mix of exceptional defensive skills and offensive prowess. Over his career, he played in 1,441 games, accumulating 1,486 hits, 133 home runs, and 728 RBIs, while maintaining a respectable batting average of .274. His ability to combine solid hitting with reliable fielding earned him recognition as an eight-time All-Star, reflecting his status as one of the top players of his era.
Malzone’s playing style was characterized by a strong work ethic and a competitive spirit, which resonated well with fans and teammates alike. He emerged as a key figure in the Red Sox lineup during the late 1950s and early 1960s, a period marked by intense competition in the American League. Although he played during a time when the game was evolving, with power hitting becoming increasingly valued, Malzone's balanced approach at the plate and his defensive capabilities solidified his legacy as a skilled position player. After retiring from the game on October 1, 1966, he left behind a notable legacy, remembered not only for his statistics but also for his contributions to the teams he played for and the game of baseball itself.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1441 | 5428 | 647 | 1486 | 239 | 21 | 133 | 728 | 14 | 337 | 434 | 0.274 | 0.315 | 0.399 | 0.714 | 82.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | BOS | AL | 6 | 20 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0.350 | 0.0 |
| 1956 | BOS | AL | 27 | 103 | 15 | 17 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 11 | 1 | 9 | 8 | 0.165 | -569.0 |
| 1957 | BOS | AL | 153 | 634 | 82 | 185 | 31 | 5 | 15 | 103 | 2 | 31 | 41 | 0.292 | 455.9 |
| 1958 | BOS | AL | 155 | 627 | 76 | 185 | 30 | 2 | 15 | 87 | 1 | 33 | 53 | 0.295 | 542.4 |
| 1959 | BOS | AL | 154 | 604 | 90 | 169 | 34 | 2 | 19 | 92 | 6 | 42 | 58 | 0.280 | 549.2 |
| 1960 | BOS | AL | 152 | 595 | 60 | 161 | 30 | 2 | 14 | 79 | 2 | 36 | 42 | 0.271 | -164.9 |
| 1961 | BOS | AL | 151 | 590 | 74 | 157 | 21 | 4 | 14 | 87 | 1 | 44 | 49 | 0.266 | -576.9 |
| 1962 | BOS | AL | 156 | 619 | 74 | 175 | 20 | 3 | 21 | 95 | 0 | 35 | 43 | 0.283 | 292.4 |
| 1963 | BOS | AL | 151 | 580 | 66 | 169 | 25 | 2 | 15 | 71 | 0 | 31 | 45 | 0.291 | 961.9 |
| 1964 | BOS | AL | 148 | 537 | 62 | 142 | 19 | 0 | 13 | 56 | 0 | 37 | 43 | 0.264 | -98.0 |
| 1965 | BOS | AL | 106 | 364 | 40 | 87 | 20 | 0 | 3 | 34 | 1 | 28 | 38 | 0.239 | -692.6 |
| 1966 | LAA | AL | 82 | 155 | 6 | 32 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 11 | 0.206 | -618.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3B | 1370 | 1353 | 1308 | 2884 | 196 | 289 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | BOS | 3B | 4 | 4 | 2 | 15 | 0 | 1 |
| 1956 | BOS | 3B | 26 | 25 | 24 | 57 | 6 | 4 |
| 1957 | BOS | 3B | 153 | 153 | 151 | 370 | 25 | 31 |
| 1958 | BOS | 3B | 155 | 155 | 139 | 378 | 27 | 36 |
| 1959 | BOS | 3B | 154 | 154 | 134 | 357 | 24 | 40 |
| 1960 | BOS | 3B | 151 | 150 | 159 | 318 | 26 | 36 |
| 1961 | BOS | 3B | 149 | 148 | 136 | 304 | 23 | 45 |
| 1962 | BOS | 3B | 156 | 156 | 154 | 313 | 16 | 32 |
| 1963 | BOS | 3B | 148 | 148 | 151 | 283 | 16 | 18 |
| 1964 | BOS | 3B | 143 | 143 | 141 | 259 | 17 | 24 |
| 1965 | BOS | 3B | 96 | 85 | 79 | 170 | 8 | 19 |
| 1966 | CAL | 3B | 35 | 32 | 38 | 60 | 8 | 3 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Third Base | 1370 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1963 | TSN All-Star | 3B |
| 1959 | Gold Glove | 3B |
| 1958 | Gold Glove | 3B |
| 1957 | Gold Glove | 3B |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 31th | 3.0 | 280 | 0 |
| 1959 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 14th | 24.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1958 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 25th | 1.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1957 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 7th | 58.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1957 | Rookie of the Year | AL | 2nd | 1.0 | 24 | 1 |