Hank Sauer
Born: 3/17/1917 in Pittsburgh, PA, USA
Died: 8/24/2001 in Burlingame, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1941-09-09 | Final Game: 1959-08-17
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 198 lbs
Full name: Henry John Sauer
Biography
Hank Sauer was a prominent American baseball player who made a significant impact in the Major Leagues from 1941 to 1959. Born in 1917, Sauer established himself as a powerful presence in the outfield and at the plate, playing primarily for the Chicago Cubs and the Cincinnati Reds. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 1,399 games, accumulating 1,278 hits along with an impressive total of 288 home runs and 876 runs batted in. His career batting average stood at .266, complemented by 11 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively in various ways. Sauer was recognized for his talents with two All-Star selections, underscoring his status as one of the elite players of his time.
Sauer played during an era characterized by a transition in baseball, where the game was evolving with the introduction of new talent and strategies. His home run power was particularly notable, as he ranked among the league leaders during his prime years, contributing to the offensive excitement of the 1940s and 1950s. With a keen eye for pitching and a strong bat, he carved out a legacy that not only highlighted his individual achievements but also reflected the competitive nature of the game during that period. His contributions to the teams he played for and his standing as a two-time All-Star remain significant parts of his enduring legacy in baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1399 | 4796 | 709 | 1278 | 200 | 19 | 288 | 876 | 11 | 561 | 714 | 0.266 | 0.347 | 0.496 | 0.843 | 15455.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | CIN | NL | 9 | 33 | 4 | 10 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0.303 | 0.0 |
| 1942 | CIN | NL | 7 | 20 | 4 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1945 | CIN | NL | 31 | 116 | 18 | 34 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 2 | 6 | 16 | 0.293 | 177.8 |
| 1948 | CIN | NL | 145 | 530 | 78 | 138 | 22 | 1 | 35 | 97 | 2 | 60 | 85 | 0.260 | 1677.8 |
| 1949 | CHC | NL | 96 | 357 | 59 | 104 | 17 | 1 | 27 | 83 | 0 | 37 | 47 | 0.291 | 1805.8 |
| 1949 | CIN | NL | 42 | 152 | 22 | 36 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 16 | 0 | 18 | 19 | 0.237 | 1805.8 |
| 1950 | CHC | NL | 145 | 540 | 85 | 148 | 32 | 2 | 32 | 103 | 1 | 60 | 67 | 0.274 | 1681.9 |
| 1951 | CHC | NL | 141 | 525 | 77 | 138 | 19 | 4 | 30 | 89 | 2 | 45 | 77 | 0.263 | 1105.1 |
| 1952 | CHC | NL | 151 | 567 | 89 | 153 | 31 | 3 | 37 | 121 | 1 | 77 | 92 | 0.270 | 3122.2 |
| 1953 | CHC | NL | 108 | 395 | 61 | 104 | 16 | 5 | 19 | 60 | 0 | 50 | 56 | 0.263 | 915.7 |
| 1954 | CHC | NL | 142 | 520 | 98 | 150 | 18 | 1 | 41 | 103 | 2 | 70 | 68 | 0.288 | 3151.8 |
| 1955 | CHC | NL | 79 | 261 | 29 | 55 | 8 | 1 | 12 | 28 | 0 | 26 | 47 | 0.211 | -391.0 |
| 1956 | STL | NL | 75 | 151 | 11 | 45 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 24 | 0 | 25 | 31 | 0.298 | 490.6 |
| 1957 | NY1 | NL | 127 | 378 | 46 | 98 | 14 | 1 | 26 | 76 | 1 | 49 | 59 | 0.259 | 1398.5 |
| 1958 | SFG | NL | 88 | 236 | 27 | 59 | 8 | 0 | 12 | 46 | 0 | 35 | 37 | 0.250 | 521.8 |
| 1959 | SFG | NL | 13 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0.067 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 38 | 0 | 303 | 34 | 7 | 27 |
| OF | 1228 | 405 | 2408 | 105 | 67 | 21 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | CIN | OF | 8 | 0 | 21 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1942 | CIN | 1B | 4 | 0 | 37 | 4 | 1 | 8 |
| 1945 | CIN | 1B | 3 | 0 | 31 | 5 | 1 | 4 |
| 1945 | CIN | OF | 28 | 0 | 69 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1948 | CIN | 1B | 12 | 0 | 89 | 8 | 1 | 4 |
| 1948 | CIN | OF | 132 | 0 | 270 | 14 | 8 | 6 |
| 1949 | CHN | OF | 96 | 0 | 199 | 10 | 4 | 2 |
| 1949 | CIN | 1B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1949 | CIN | OF | 39 | 0 | 102 | 6 | 5 | 0 |
| 1950 | CHN | 1B | 18 | 0 | 145 | 17 | 4 | 11 |
| 1950 | CHN | OF | 125 | 0 | 236 | 12 | 9 | 1 |
| 1951 | CHN | OF | 132 | 0 | 286 | 19 | 6 | 2 |
| 1952 | CHN | OF | 151 | 0 | 327 | 17 | 6 | 3 |
| 1953 | CHN | OF | 105 | 0 | 221 | 5 | 7 | 1 |
| 1954 | CHN | OF | 141 | 141 | 282 | 8 | 11 | 2 |
| 1955 | CHN | OF | 68 | 68 | 122 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
| 1956 | SLN | OF | 37 | 34 | 55 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1957 | NY1 | OF | 98 | 97 | 125 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 1958 | SFN | OF | 67 | 64 | 93 | 3 | 5 | 1 |
| 1959 | SFN | OF | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 38 |
| Left Field | 1029 |
| Right Field | 209 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1952 | Most Valuable Player | |
| 1952 | TSN All-Star | OF |
| 1952 | TSN Player of the Year |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1954 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 26th | 1.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1952 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 1st | 226.0 | 336 | 8 |
| 1951 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 23th | 1.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1950 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 29th | 5.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1949 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 19th | 8.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1948 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 30th | 1.0 | 336 | 0 |