Tubby Spencer
Born: 1/26/1884 in Oil City, PA, USA
Died: 2/1/1945 in San Francisco, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1905-07-24 | Final Game: 1918-09-01
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 215 lbs
Full name: Edward Russell Spencer
Biography
Tubby Spencer, born in 1884, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in the Major Leagues from 1905 to 1918. Known primarily as a position player, Spencer participated in 449 games throughout his career, during which he accumulated 298 hits, 3 home runs, and 133 RBIs. His batting average stood at .225, reflecting the challenges many players faced during an era that predated the offensive explosion of the 1920s. Spencer's playing style was characterized by his gritty approach to the game, which was essential for survival in the competitive landscape of early 20th-century baseball.
Spencer's career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, as the sport began to emerge from the shadows of the deadball era and evolve into a more dynamic game. While he may not have been a standout power hitter, his contributions on the field were invaluable, especially in terms of versatility and situational play. Additionally, he recorded 13 stolen bases, showcasing a speed element that complemented his overall skill set. Tubby Spencer retired on September 1, 1918, leaving behind a legacy that, while modest in statistics, reflects the spirit of perseverance that defined many players of his time.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 449 | 1326 | 106 | 298 | 43 | 10 | 3 | 133 | 13 | 87 | 127 | 0.225 | 0.281 | 0.279 | 0.560 | -2003.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1905 | SLA | AL | 35 | 115 | 6 | 27 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 0.235 | -186.3 |
| 1906 | SLA | AL | 58 | 188 | 15 | 33 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 4 | 7 | 11 | 0.176 | -974.0 |
| 1907 | SLA | AL | 71 | 230 | 27 | 61 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 25 | 1 | 7 | 25 | 0.265 | 63.2 |
| 1908 | SLA | AL | 91 | 286 | 19 | 60 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 28 | 1 | 17 | 24 | 0.210 | -842.0 |
| 1909 | BOS | AL | 28 | 74 | 6 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0.162 | -373.6 |
| 1911 | PHI | NL | 11 | 32 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0.156 | 0.0 |
| 1916 | DET | AL | 19 | 54 | 7 | 20 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 2 | 6 | 6 | 0.370 | 382.0 |
| 1917 | DET | AL | 70 | 192 | 13 | 46 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 22 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 0.240 | 61.8 |
| 1918 | DET | AL | 66 | 155 | 11 | 34 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 19 | 18 | 0.219 | -135.1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 405 | 240 | 1610 | 453 | 72 | 35 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1905 | SLA | C | 34 | 30 | 134 | 41 | 7 | 1 |
| 1906 | SLA | C | 54 | 49 | 226 | 60 | 20 | 3 |
| 1907 | SLA | C | 63 | 59 | 250 | 80 | 15 | 6 |
| 1908 | SLA | C | 88 | 80 | 398 | 109 | 9 | 9 |
| 1909 | BOS | C | 26 | 22 | 94 | 24 | 1 | 0 |
| 1911 | PHI | C | 11 | 0 | 47 | 15 | 5 | 2 |
| 1916 | DET | C | 19 | 0 | 58 | 21 | 1 | 1 |
| 1917 | DET | C | 62 | 0 | 250 | 57 | 7 | 10 |
| 1918 | DET | C | 48 | 0 | 153 | 46 | 7 | 3 |
| 1918 | DET | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 404 |
| First Base | 1 |