Lew Ritter
Born: 9/7/1875 in Liverpool, PA, USA
Died: 5/27/1952 in Harrisburg, PA, USA
MLB Debut: 1902-09-10 | Final Game: 1908-08-29
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 150 lbs
Full name: Lewis Elmer Ritter
Biography
Lew Ritter was a professional baseball player born in 1875 who made his mark in the Major Leagues from 1902 to 1908. Primarily serving as a position player, Ritter played in a total of 462 games throughout his career. He achieved a total of 315 hits, which included one home run and 120 runs batted in (RBIs), while posting a batting average of .219. Known for his speed on the bases, he also recorded 55 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing defenses and add a dynamic element to his team's offensive strategy.
Ritter's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, characterized by the waning days of the deadball era, where pitching dominated and offensive statistics were notably lower than in later years. Despite the challenges of this time, his performance highlighted his role as a versatile player who contributed to his teams in various ways. Although not a superstar, Ritter's tenacity and contributions over his seven seasons in the league left an imprint on the game, reflecting the spirit of players who shaped the early years of professional baseball. He retired from the sport on August 29, 1908, leaving behind a legacy as a dedicated competitor in the evolving landscape of America's pastime.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 462 | 1437 | 129 | 315 | 33 | 17 | 1 | 120 | 55 | 96 | 180 | 0.219 | 0.271 | 0.268 | 0.539 | -3413.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1902 | BRO | NL | 16 | 57 | 5 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 8 | 0.211 | -261.4 |
| 1903 | BRO | NL | 78 | 259 | 26 | 61 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 37 | 9 | 19 | 30 | 0.236 | -408.8 |
| 1904 | BRO | NL | 72 | 214 | 23 | 53 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 19 | 17 | 20 | 34 | 0.248 | -68.0 |
| 1905 | BRO | NL | 92 | 311 | 32 | 68 | 10 | 5 | 1 | 28 | 16 | 15 | 39 | 0.219 | -780.3 |
| 1906 | BRO | NL | 73 | 226 | 22 | 47 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 6 | 16 | 20 | 0.208 | -683.4 |
| 1907 | BRO | NL | 93 | 271 | 15 | 55 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 5 | 18 | 40 | 0.203 | -911.4 |
| 1908 | BRO | NL | 38 | 99 | 6 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 9 | 0.192 | -300.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 3 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 2B | 5 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 1 | 6 |
| 3B | 5 | 3 | 3 | 9 | 2 | 0 |
| C | 410 | 299 | 1780 | 497 | 95 | 34 |
| OF | 15 | 14 | 26 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1902 | BRO | C | 16 | 0 | 91 | 18 | 3 | 2 |
| 1903 | BRO | C | 74 | 0 | 309 | 80 | 25 | 6 |
| 1903 | BRO | OF | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1904 | BRO | C | 57 | 56 | 249 | 88 | 12 | 7 |
| 1904 | BRO | 2B | 5 | 5 | 9 | 11 | 1 | 6 |
| 1904 | BRO | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1905 | BRO | C | 84 | 80 | 397 | 106 | 26 | 4 |
| 1905 | BRO | 3B | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1905 | BRO | OF | 4 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1906 | BRO | C | 53 | 52 | 211 | 61 | 6 | 4 |
| 1906 | BRO | 1B | 3 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1906 | BRO | 3B | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 1906 | BRO | OF | 9 | 9 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1907 | BRO | C | 89 | 83 | 391 | 103 | 16 | 11 |
| 1908 | BRO | C | 37 | 28 | 132 | 41 | 7 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 414 |
| First Base | 3 |
| Second Base | 5 |
| Third Base | 5 |
| Left Field | 6 |
| Center Field | 2 |
| Right Field | 9 |