Jack Saltzgaver
Born: 1/23/1903 in Croton, IA, USA
Died: 2/1/1978 in Keokuk, IA, USA
MLB Debut: 1932-04-12 | Final Game: 1945-09-30
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 165 lbs
Full name: Otto Hamlin Saltzgaver
Biography
Jack Saltzgaver was a professional baseball player born in 1903, who played in the Major Leagues from 1932 until his retirement in 1945. During his career, he participated in 278 games, showcasing his skills primarily as a position player. Saltzgaver amassed a total of 199 hits, contributing to his career batting average of .260. He demonstrated power at the plate with 10 home runs and was a productive run producer, driving in 82 RBIs. Additionally, he displayed speed on the bases, finishing his career with 9 stolen bases.
Saltzgaver's playing career unfolded during a transitional period in baseball, marked by the tail end of the Great Depression and the onset of World War II, which significantly impacted the sport and its players. His contributions on the field, though perhaps overshadowed by some of his contemporaries, reflected the dedication and talent of players of his era. After concluding his Major League career on September 30, 1945, Saltzgaver left a legacy as a solid player who embraced the challenges and changes of baseball during a pivotal time in the sport's history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 278 | 764 | 131 | 199 | 26 | 5 | 10 | 82 | 9 | 105 | 80 | 0.260 | 0.351 | 0.347 | 0.698 | -307.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | NYY | AL | 20 | 47 | 10 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 0.128 | -250.2 |
| 1934 | NYY | AL | 94 | 350 | 64 | 95 | 8 | 1 | 6 | 36 | 8 | 48 | 28 | 0.271 | -93.9 |
| 1935 | NYY | AL | 61 | 149 | 17 | 39 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 18 | 0 | 23 | 12 | 0.262 | 57.3 |
| 1936 | NYY | AL | 34 | 90 | 14 | 19 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 0 | 13 | 18 | 0.211 | -286.1 |
| 1937 | NYY | AL | 17 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0.182 | 0.0 |
| 1945 | PIT | NL | 52 | 117 | 20 | 38 | 5 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 8 | 8 | 0.325 | 265.5 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 18 | 0 | 84 | 6 | 2 | 10 |
| 2B | 78 | 0 | 156 | 172 | 16 | 26 |
| 3B | 119 | 0 | 99 | 167 | 12 | 13 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | NYA | 2B | 16 | 0 | 38 | 30 | 3 | 5 |
| 1934 | NYA | 1B | 4 | 0 | 22 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 1934 | NYA | 3B | 84 | 0 | 71 | 130 | 10 | 10 |
| 1935 | NYA | 1B | 6 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1935 | NYA | 2B | 25 | 0 | 40 | 64 | 7 | 8 |
| 1935 | NYA | 3B | 18 | 0 | 14 | 16 | 1 | 2 |
| 1936 | NYA | 1B | 4 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 2 |
| 1936 | NYA | 2B | 6 | 0 | 15 | 12 | 1 | 2 |
| 1936 | NYA | 3B | 16 | 0 | 14 | 21 | 1 | 1 |
| 1937 | NYA | 1B | 4 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| 1945 | PIT | 2B | 31 | 0 | 63 | 66 | 5 | 11 |
| 1945 | PIT | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 18 |
| Second Base | 78 |
| Third Base | 119 |