Ken Retzer
Born: 4/30/1934 in Wood River, IL, USA
Died: 5/17/2020 in Sun City, AZ, USA
MLB Debut: 1961-09-09 | Final Game: 1964-10-03
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 185 lbs
Full name: Kenneth Leo Retzer
Biography
Ken Retzer, born in 1934, was a professional baseball player who made significant contributions to the game during the early 1960s. He played primarily as a position player from 1961 until his retirement on October 3, 1964. Over the course of his career, Retzer appeared in 237 games, amassing 182 hits and achieving a respectable batting average of .264. His offensive contributions included 14 home runs and 72 runs batted in (RBIs), along with 5 stolen bases, showcasing both his power and speed on the basepaths.
Retzer's career unfolded during a transformative period in Major League Baseball, characterized by a shift towards more dynamic and athletic play. He played for teams during a time when the game was evolving, balancing traditional skills with the increasing emphasis on power hitting. Although not a household name, Retzer's impact as a reliable player in the lineup and his versatility on the field made him a valuable asset to his teams throughout his brief but noteworthy career.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 237 | 690 | 65 | 182 | 25 | 2 | 14 | 72 | 5 | 52 | 50 | 0.264 | 0.316 | 0.367 | 0.683 | -103.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | WS2 | AL | 16 | 53 | 7 | 18 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 5 | 0.340 | 157.8 |
| 1962 | WS2 | AL | 109 | 340 | 36 | 97 | 11 | 2 | 8 | 37 | 2 | 26 | 21 | 0.285 | 122.5 |
| 1963 | WS2 | AL | 95 | 265 | 21 | 64 | 10 | 0 | 5 | 31 | 2 | 17 | 20 | 0.242 | -383.6 |
| 1964 | WS2 | AL | 17 | 32 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 4 | 0.094 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 209 | 189 | 935 | 97 | 18 | 13 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | WS2 | C | 16 | 15 | 71 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| 1962 | WS2 | C | 99 | 91 | 488 | 44 | 8 | 5 |
| 1963 | WS2 | C | 81 | 72 | 320 | 35 | 7 | 5 |
| 1964 | WS2 | C | 13 | 11 | 56 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 209 |