Stan Rojek
Born: 4/21/1919 in North Tonawanda, NY, USA
Died: 7/9/1997 in North Tonawanda, NY, USA
MLB Debut: 1942-09-22 | Final Game: 1952-05-13
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: Stanley Andrew Rojek
Biography
Stan Rojek was a professional baseball player who played as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1942 to 1952. Born in 1919, Rojek made a name for himself during a time when the sport was heavily influenced by World War II, as many players enlisted or were drafted into military service. He appeared in a total of 522 games throughout his career, showcasing his skills primarily as a shortstop and third baseman. With a batting average of .266, Rojek accumulated 470 hits, including four home runs and 122 runs batted in. His ability to contribute on the basepaths was evidenced by his 32 stolen bases, reflecting the aggressive style of play that characterized the era.
Rojek's career was notable not only for his on-field contributions but also for his resilience during a turbulent period in American history. He played for teams such as the St. Louis Cardinals and the Brooklyn Dodgers, where he was part of rosters that included many Hall of Famers. His versatility and determination exemplified the spirit of players of his generation, who often faced both the challenges of wartime and the complexities of a changing game. After retiring from professional baseball on May 13, 1952, Rojek left behind a legacy as a dependable player who contributed to his teams in crucial moments.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 522 | 1764 | 225 | 470 | 67 | 13 | 4 | 122 | 32 | 152 | 100 | 0.266 | 0.327 | 0.326 | 0.653 | -3243.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | BRO | NL | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1946 | BRO | NL | 45 | 47 | 11 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 0.277 | 1.1 |
| 1947 | BRO | NL | 32 | 80 | 7 | 21 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 0.263 | -184.3 |
| 1948 | PIT | NL | 156 | 641 | 85 | 186 | 27 | 5 | 4 | 51 | 24 | 61 | 41 | 0.290 | 10.5 |
| 1949 | PIT | NL | 144 | 557 | 72 | 136 | 19 | 2 | 0 | 31 | 4 | 50 | 31 | 0.244 | -2081.3 |
| 1950 | PIT | NL | 76 | 230 | 28 | 59 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 18 | 13 | 0.257 | -691.9 |
| 1951 | PIT | NL | 8 | 16 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.188 | 0.0 |
| 1951 | STL | NL | 51 | 186 | 21 | 51 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0.274 | 0.0 |
| 1952 | SLA | AL | 9 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0.143 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 17 | 0 | 26 | 27 | 0 | 4 |
| 3B | 13 | 0 | 7 | 12 | 0 | 3 |
| SS | 463 | 0 | 745 | 1315 | 74 | 273 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | BRO | 2B | 6 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 1946 | BRO | 3B | 4 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1946 | BRO | SS | 15 | 0 | 14 | 23 | 1 | 4 |
| 1947 | BRO | 2B | 7 | 0 | 14 | 18 | 0 | 4 |
| 1947 | BRO | 3B | 9 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 0 | 3 |
| 1947 | BRO | SS | 17 | 0 | 23 | 44 | 2 | 10 |
| 1948 | PIT | SS | 156 | 0 | 262 | 475 | 29 | 91 |
| 1949 | PIT | SS | 144 | 0 | 240 | 461 | 25 | 92 |
| 1950 | PIT | 2B | 3 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1950 | PIT | SS | 68 | 0 | 102 | 160 | 9 | 39 |
| 1951 | PIT | SS | 8 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| 1951 | SLN | SS | 51 | 0 | 95 | 131 | 6 | 36 |
| 1952 | SLA | 2B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1952 | SLA | SS | 4 | 0 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 16 |
| Third Base | 14 |
| Shortstop | 463 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1948 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 10th | 51.0 | 336 | 0 |