Cliff Mapes
Born: 3/13/1922 in Sutherland, NE, USA
Died: 12/5/1996 in Pryor, OK, USA
MLB Debut: 1948-04-20 | Final Game: 1952-09-28
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 205 lbs
Full name: Clifford Franklin Mapes
Biography
Cliff Mapes was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball during the late 1940s and early 1950s. Born in 1922, Mapes played primarily as an outfielder from 1948 until his retirement in 1952. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 459 games, amassing 289 hits and demonstrating his power at the plate with 38 home runs and 172 RBIs. He concluded his career with a batting average of .242 and also showcased his speed on the bases, recording 8 stolen bases.
Mapes played in an era marked by the transition from the post-war period of baseball, which saw the re-emergence of fan interest and attendance following World War II. He was known for his solid hitting and versatility as a position player, contributing to the teams he played for during a time of significant change in the sport. While not a household name, Mapes's contributions on the field helped pave the way for future generations of players. He retired from professional play on September 28, 1952, leaving behind a legacy that reflects the competitive spirit of baseball in the early 20th century.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26.0 | 23.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.130 | 0.231 | 0.304 | 0.535 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 |
| 1948 | 25.0 | 22.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 1.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 0.136 | 0.240 | 0.318 | 0.558 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 459 | 1193 | 199 | 289 | 55 | 13 | 38 | 172 | 8 | 168 | 213 | 0.242 | 0.338 | 0.406 | 0.743 | 495.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | NYY | AL | 53 | 88 | 19 | 22 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 0.250 | -41.5 |
| 1949 | NYY | AL | 111 | 304 | 56 | 75 | 13 | 3 | 7 | 38 | 6 | 58 | 50 | 0.247 | 294.2 |
| 1950 | NYY | AL | 108 | 356 | 60 | 88 | 14 | 6 | 12 | 61 | 1 | 47 | 61 | 0.247 | 77.1 |
| 1951 | NYY | AL | 45 | 51 | 6 | 11 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 4 | 14 | 0.216 | -51.8 |
| 1951 | SLA | AL | 56 | 201 | 32 | 55 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 30 | 0 | 26 | 33 | 0.274 | -51.8 |
| 1952 | DET | AL | 86 | 193 | 26 | 38 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 23 | 0 | 27 | 42 | 0.197 | -146.6 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 0.071 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | WS | NYA | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
| 1949 | WS | NYA | 4 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 0.100 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 381 | 0 | 675 | 33 | 23 | 11 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | NYA | OF | 21 | 0 | 42 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 1949 | NYA | OF | 108 | 0 | 228 | 14 | 6 | 4 |
| 1950 | NYA | OF | 102 | 0 | 183 | 8 | 10 | 4 |
| 1951 | NYA | OF | 34 | 0 | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1951 | SLA | OF | 53 | 0 | 111 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 1952 | DET | OF | 63 | 0 | 86 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 38 |
| Center Field | 119 |
| Right Field | 237 |