Tom Saffell
Born: 7/26/1921 in Etowah, TN, USA
Died: 9/10/2012 in Sarasota, FL, USA
MLB Debut: 1949-07-01 | Final Game: 1955-09-25
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 170 lbs
Full name: Thomas Judson Saffell
Biography
Tom Saffell was a professional baseball player born in 1921, who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1949 to 1955. Over the course of his career, he played in 271 games, primarily as a position player. Saffell recorded a total of 143 hits, achieving a batting average of .238. His offensive contributions included 6 home runs and 40 runs batted in (RBIs), alongside 9 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to impact the game both at the plate and on the basepaths.
Saffell's career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, following World War II and amidst the early years of integration in the sport. While he may not have been one of the most prominent stars of his time, his perseverance and contributions reflected the dedication of many players working in the shadows of the game's legends. After his retirement on September 25, 1955, Saffell remained a part of baseball history, representing an era that helped shape the future of the game.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 271 | 602 | 91 | 143 | 15 | 1 | 6 | 40 | 9 | 59 | 108 | 0.238 | 0.307 | 0.296 | 0.602 | -1702.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | PIT | NL | 73 | 205 | 36 | 66 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 25 | 5 | 21 | 27 | 0.322 | 303.4 |
| 1950 | PIT | NL | 67 | 182 | 18 | 37 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 14 | 34 | 0.203 | -966.9 |
| 1951 | PIT | NL | 49 | 65 | 11 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 1 | 5 | 18 | 0.200 | -342.3 |
| 1955 | KC1 | AL | 9 | 37 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 0.216 | 0.0 |
| 1955 | PIT | NL | 73 | 113 | 21 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 15 | 22 | 0.168 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 169 | 31 | 378 | 10 | 8 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | PIT | OF | 53 | 0 | 122 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1950 | PIT | OF | 43 | 0 | 128 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 1951 | PIT | OF | 17 | 0 | 25 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 1955 | KC1 | OF | 9 | 9 | 25 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1955 | PIT | OF | 47 | 22 | 78 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 7 |
| Center Field | 151 |
| Right Field | 11 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryville College | Maryville | TN | 1941 |