Bob Speake
Born: 8/22/1930 in Springfield, MO, USA
Died: 10/3/2024 in Topeka, KS, USA
MLB Debut: 1955-04-16 | Final Game: 1959-06-08
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 178 lbs
Full name: Robert Charles Speake
Biography
Bob Speake was a professional baseball player born in 1930, who made his mark as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1955 to 1959. Over the course of his career, Speake played in 305 games, showcasing his skills primarily as an outfielder. He recorded a total of 170 hits, including 31 home runs, and drove in 104 runs, finishing his career with a batting average of .223. Known for his power potential, Speake contributed to his teams with both his offensive capabilities and his speed on the bases, achieving 8 stolen bases.
Speake's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, marked by the post-war expansion of the league and the increasing integration of players from diverse backgrounds. His playing style reflected the evolving nature of the game, where power hitters began to emerge as key components of team success. Although his career was relatively short-lived, Speake remains a part of baseball history, contributing to the rich tapestry of the sport during a vibrant period in its development.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 305 | 761 | 110 | 170 | 26 | 10 | 31 | 104 | 8 | 80 | 158 | 0.223 | 0.301 | 0.406 | 0.707 | -246.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | CHC | NL | 95 | 261 | 36 | 57 | 9 | 5 | 12 | 43 | 3 | 28 | 71 | 0.218 | -47.1 |
| 1957 | CHC | NL | 129 | 418 | 65 | 97 | 14 | 5 | 16 | 50 | 5 | 38 | 68 | 0.232 | -220.1 |
| 1958 | SFG | NL | 66 | 71 | 9 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 13 | 15 | 0.211 | 20.9 |
| 1959 | SFG | NL | 15 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0.091 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 47 | 47 | 406 | 43 | 5 | 28 |
| OF | 125 | 121 | 246 | 11 | 9 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1955 | CHN | 1B | 8 | 7 | 69 | 7 | 2 | 7 |
| 1955 | CHN | OF | 55 | 55 | 90 | 4 | 4 | 1 |
| 1957 | CHN | 1B | 39 | 40 | 337 | 36 | 3 | 21 |
| 1957 | CHN | OF | 60 | 59 | 143 | 5 | 4 | 0 |
| 1958 | SFN | OF | 10 | 7 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 51 |
| Left Field | 79 |
| Center Field | 40 |
| Right Field | 8 |