Johnny Pesky, baseball player, 1942-1954

Johnny Pesky

Born: 2/27/1919 in Portland, OR, USA

Died: 8/13/2012 in Danvers, MA, USA

MLB Debut: 1942-04-14 | Final Game: 1954-09-24

Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 168 lbs

Full name: John Michael Pesky

Biography

Johnny Pesky was a notable American professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1942 to 1954. Born in 1919, he played primarily as a position player for the Boston Red Sox, where he became a beloved figure in the franchise's history. Over the course of his career, Pesky participated in 1,270 games, amassing 1,455 hits and finishing with a commendable batting average of .307. He demonstrated consistent offensive production with 404 RBIs and 17 home runs, while also showcasing his speed on the bases with 53 stolen bases. His performance earned him a spot in the 1946 All-Star Game, highlighting his status as one of the premier players of his era. Pesky's playing style was characterized by his keen batting eye and ability to make contact, which contributed to his high batting average. As a player during the post-World War II era, he contributed to the revitalization of Major League Baseball, which was experiencing a surge in popularity. Known for his strong defensive skills and leadership on the field, Pesky left a lasting legacy with the Red Sox, later becoming a coach and broadcaster for the team. His connection to Boston and its baseball history solidified his status as a cherished figure in the sport, with his contributions extending beyond his playing days.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1270 4745 867 1455 226 50 17 404 53 662 218 0.307 0.394 0.386 0.780 11324.6

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
7 30 2 7 0 0 0 0 1 3 0.233

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1946 WS BOS 7 30 2 7 0 0 0 0 1 3 0.233

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
2B 137 35 290 321 9 86
3B 460 0 522 983 58 121
SS 591 0 1175 1810 111 387

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Second Base 140
Third Base 459
Shortstop 589

Awards & Honors

Year Award Notes
1946 TSN All-Star SS
1942 TSN All-Star SS

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1951 Most Valuable Player AL 26th 5.0 336 0
1947 Most Valuable Player AL 18th 11.0 336 0
1946 Most Valuable Player AL 4th 141.0 336 2
1942 Most Valuable Player AL 3rd 143.0 336 2