Merritt Ranew
Born: 5/10/1938 in Albany, GA, USA
Died: 10/18/2011 in Valdosta, GA, USA
MLB Debut: 1962-04-13 | Final Game: 1969-09-30
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: Merritt Thomas Ranew
Biography
Merritt Ranew was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball during the 1960s. Born in 1938, Ranew played primarily as a position player from 1962 until his final game on September 30, 1969. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 269 games, where he compiled 147 hits and maintained a batting average of .247. Known for his versatility on the field, he contributed both offensively and defensively, finishing his career with 8 home runs and 54 RBIs, along with 3 stolen bases.
Ranew's career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, characterized by the rise of power hitting and the increasing importance of athleticism in the game. While he may not have been a household name, his contributions to teams like the Chicago White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers demonstrated the depth and talent of players who filled essential roles in the era. His journey through Major League Baseball reflects the experiences of many players who navigated the competitive landscape of the 1960s, making valuable contributions that helped shape the game during a pivotal time in its history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 269 | 594 | 68 | 147 | 20 | 9 | 8 | 54 | 3 | 42 | 120 | 0.247 | 0.301 | 0.352 | 0.653 | -154.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | HOU | NL | 71 | 218 | 26 | 51 | 6 | 8 | 4 | 24 | 2 | 14 | 43 | 0.234 | -323.8 |
| 1963 | CHC | NL | 78 | 154 | 18 | 52 | 8 | 1 | 3 | 15 | 1 | 9 | 32 | 0.338 | 622.5 |
| 1964 | CHC | NL | 16 | 33 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0.091 | 0.0 |
| 1964 | ATL | NL | 9 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.118 | 0.0 |
| 1965 | LAA | AL | 41 | 91 | 12 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 7 | 22 | 0.209 | -315.0 |
| 1969 | SE1 | AL | 54 | 81 | 11 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 10 | 14 | 0.247 | -137.7 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 9 | 8 | 75 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| 3B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 144 | 112 | 686 | 67 | 14 | 8 |
| OF | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | HOU | C | 58 | 51 | 357 | 35 | 8 | 1 |
| 1963 | CHN | C | 37 | 23 | 138 | 12 | 3 | 4 |
| 1963 | CHN | 1B | 9 | 8 | 75 | 7 | 0 | 10 |
| 1964 | CHN | C | 9 | 7 | 42 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 1964 | ML1 | C | 3 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1965 | CAL | C | 24 | 19 | 78 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 1969 | SE1 | C | 13 | 9 | 60 | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| 1969 | SE1 | 3B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1969 | SE1 | OF | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 144 |
| First Base | 9 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 3 |