Al Spangler
Born: 7/8/1933 in Philadelphia, PA, USA
MLB Debut: 1959-09-16 | Final Game: 1971-09-12
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Albert Donald Spangler
Biography
Al Spangler, born in 1933, was a professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1959 to 1971. Primarily playing as an outfielder, Spangler was known for his versatility on the field and his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. Over the course of 912 games, he amassed 594 hits, including 21 home runs, and drove in 175 runs, showcasing his capability as a reliable hitter during his time in Major League Baseball. With a batting average of .262 and 37 stolen bases, he demonstrated a well-rounded skill set that allowed him to make an impact in the game.
Spangler played during a transformative era in baseball, marked by the transition from the deadball era to a period where offensive production began to rise. His contributions were especially significant for teams like the Milwaukee Braves and the Houston Astros, where he established himself as a dependable player. Though not a superstar, Spangler's consistent performance and commitment to the game left a lasting impression, and he remains a respected figure in the history of baseball for his contributions during a pivotal time in the sport.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 912 | 2267 | 307 | 594 | 87 | 26 | 21 | 175 | 37 | 295 | 234 | 0.262 | 0.347 | 0.351 | 0.698 | 983.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | ATL | NL | 6 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.417 | 0.0 |
| 1960 | ATL | NL | 101 | 105 | 26 | 28 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 14 | 17 | 0.267 | 22.4 |
| 1961 | ATL | NL | 68 | 97 | 23 | 26 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 4 | 28 | 9 | 0.268 | 172.5 |
| 1962 | HOU | NL | 129 | 418 | 51 | 119 | 10 | 9 | 5 | 35 | 7 | 70 | 46 | 0.285 | 945.0 |
| 1963 | HOU | NL | 120 | 430 | 52 | 121 | 25 | 4 | 4 | 27 | 5 | 50 | 38 | 0.281 | 796.6 |
| 1964 | HOU | NL | 135 | 449 | 51 | 110 | 18 | 5 | 4 | 38 | 7 | 41 | 43 | 0.245 | -543.3 |
| 1965 | LAA | AL | 51 | 96 | 17 | 25 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 8 | 9 | 0.260 | -184.3 |
| 1965 | HOU | NL | 38 | 112 | 18 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 14 | 8 | 0.214 | -184.3 |
| 1966 | LAA | AL | 6 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.667 | 0.0 |
| 1967 | CHC | NL | 62 | 130 | 18 | 33 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 2 | 23 | 17 | 0.254 | 112.3 |
| 1968 | CHC | NL | 88 | 177 | 21 | 48 | 9 | 3 | 2 | 18 | 0 | 20 | 24 | 0.271 | 439.5 |
| 1969 | CHC | NL | 82 | 213 | 23 | 45 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 23 | 0 | 21 | 16 | 0.211 | -502.6 |
| 1970 | CHC | NL | 21 | 14 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.143 | 0.0 |
| 1971 | CHC | NL | 5 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.400 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 714 | 543 | 1034 | 27 | 29 | 6 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1959 | ML1 | OF | 4 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1960 | ML1 | OF | 92 | 22 | 88 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1961 | ML1 | OF | 44 | 19 | 56 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1962 | HOU | OF | 121 | 109 | 183 | 7 | 8 | 2 |
| 1963 | HOU | OF | 113 | 110 | 215 | 5 | 3 | 1 |
| 1964 | HOU | OF | 127 | 112 | 185 | 3 | 7 | 1 |
| 1965 | CAL | OF | 24 | 18 | 36 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1965 | HOU | OF | 33 | 25 | 40 | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| 1966 | CAL | OF | 3 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1967 | CHN | OF | 41 | 33 | 71 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | CHN | OF | 48 | 39 | 71 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 1969 | CHN | OF | 58 | 52 | 75 | 1 | 4 | 0 |
| 1970 | CHN | OF | 6 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 438 |
| Center Field | 143 |
| Right Field | 152 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duke University | Durham | NC | 1953, 1954 |