Stan Spence, baseball player, 1940-1949

Stan Spence

Born: 3/20/1915 in South Portsmouth, KY, USA

Died: 1/9/1983 in Kinston, NC, USA

MLB Debut: 1940-06-08 | Final Game: 1949-10-02

Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 180 lbs

Full name: Stanley Orville Spence

Biography

Stan Spence, born in 1915, was a prominent position player in Major League Baseball who made his mark from 1940 until 1949. Spence played in 1,112 games during his career, compiling an impressive batting average of .282. He recorded 1,090 hits, which included 95 home runs and 575 RBIs, illustrating his ability as a consistent offensive contributor. Known for his speed on the base paths, he also tallied 21 stolen bases over his career. Spence's achievements earned him four selections to the All-Star Game, highlighting his status as one of the era's notable players. Spence played during a transformative period in baseball, navigating the challenges of World War II and the evolving dynamics of the league. His playing style combined power with a strong batting average, making him a well-rounded threat at the plate. As a member of the post-war generation of players, Spence contributed to the revitalization of Major League Baseball, bringing excitement and competitiveness to the game in the years following the war. His legacy remains as a skilled hitter and an integral part of the fabric of baseball history.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1112 3871 541 1090 196 60 95 575 21 520 248 0.282 0.369 0.437 0.806 12902.9

Season-by-Season Batting

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 19 0 132 6 2 6
OF 990 0 2582 96 44 21

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
First Base 19
Left Field 91
Center Field 800
Right Field 106

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1947 Most Valuable Player AL 19th 9.0 336 0
1946 Most Valuable Player AL 23th 4.0 336 0
1944 Most Valuable Player AL 8th 56.0 336 0
1942 Most Valuable Player AL 8th 65.0 336 0