Cecil Travis
Born: 8/8/1913 in Riverdale, GA, USA
Died: 12/16/2006 in Riverdale, GA, USA
MLB Debut: 1933-05-16 | Final Game: 1947-09-23
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 185 lbs
Full name: Cecil Howell Travis
Biography
Cecil Travis was a notable American professional baseball player, who played primarily as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1933 until 1947. Born in 1913, he made his debut with the Washington Senators, where he spent the majority of his career and became a significant figure in the teamโs history. Over the course of his 14-season career, Travis participated in 1,328 games, accumulating 1,544 hits and establishing a commendable batting average of .314. His offensive prowess was highlighted by his 657 RBIs and 27 home runs, complemented by 23 stolen bases, showcasing his versatility on the field.
Travis was selected as an All-Star three times, a testament to his skill and impact during an era characterized by fierce competition and the changing dynamics of baseball. Known for his exceptional hitting ability, he was a key player in the Senators' lineup, helping to solidify his reputation as one of the premier hitters of his time. His career unfolded during a transformative period in baseball, bridging the tail end of the Great Depression and the post-war era, which saw the game evolve in both style and substance. Travis's contributions to the sport, both on and off the field, have cemented his legacy as a respected figure in baseball history.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5.0 | 5.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0.200 | 0.200 | 0.200 | 0.400 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0.200 | 0.200 | 0.200 | 0.400 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1328 | 4914 | 665 | 1544 | 265 | 78 | 27 | 657 | 23 | 402 | 291 | 0.314 | 0.370 | 0.416 | 0.786 | 8041.6 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | WSN | AL | 18 | 43 | 7 | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 0.302 | 0.0 |
| 1934 | WSN | AL | 109 | 392 | 48 | 125 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 53 | 1 | 24 | 37 | 0.319 | 259.8 |
| 1935 | WSN | AL | 138 | 534 | 85 | 170 | 27 | 8 | 0 | 61 | 4 | 41 | 28 | 0.318 | 656.5 |
| 1936 | WSN | AL | 138 | 517 | 77 | 164 | 34 | 10 | 2 | 92 | 4 | 39 | 21 | 0.317 | 584.9 |
| 1937 | WSN | AL | 135 | 526 | 72 | 181 | 27 | 7 | 3 | 66 | 3 | 39 | 34 | 0.344 | 1390.7 |
| 1938 | WSN | AL | 146 | 567 | 96 | 190 | 30 | 5 | 5 | 67 | 6 | 58 | 22 | 0.335 | 1653.5 |
| 1939 | WSN | AL | 130 | 476 | 55 | 139 | 20 | 9 | 5 | 63 | 0 | 34 | 25 | 0.292 | -12.3 |
| 1940 | WSN | AL | 136 | 528 | 60 | 170 | 37 | 11 | 2 | 76 | 0 | 48 | 23 | 0.322 | 1448.3 |
| 1941 | WSN | AL | 152 | 608 | 106 | 218 | 39 | 19 | 7 | 101 | 2 | 52 | 25 | 0.359 | 3668.2 |
| 1945 | WSN | AL | 15 | 54 | 4 | 13 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0.241 | -104.0 |
| 1946 | WSN | AL | 137 | 465 | 45 | 117 | 22 | 3 | 1 | 56 | 2 | 45 | 47 | 0.252 | -568.0 |
| 1947 | WSN | AL | 74 | 204 | 10 | 44 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 16 | 19 | 0.216 | -935.9 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 4 | 0 | 16 | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| 3B | 468 | 0 | 464 | 990 | 94 | 112 |
| OF | 69 | 0 | 119 | 10 | 7 | 2 |
| SS | 710 | 0 | 1347 | 2128 | 162 | 512 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1933 | WS1 | 3B | 15 | 0 | 8 | 30 | 1 | 1 |
| 1934 | WS1 | 3B | 99 | 0 | 88 | 210 | 20 | 23 |
| 1935 | WS1 | 3B | 114 | 0 | 136 | 254 | 15 | 29 |
| 1935 | WS1 | OF | 16 | 0 | 28 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1936 | WS1 | 2B | 4 | 0 | 16 | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| 1936 | WS1 | 3B | 2 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| 1936 | WS1 | SS | 71 | 0 | 135 | 213 | 23 | 53 |
| 1936 | WS1 | OF | 53 | 0 | 91 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 1937 | WS1 | SS | 129 | 0 | 229 | 396 | 23 | 99 |
| 1938 | WS1 | SS | 143 | 0 | 304 | 457 | 40 | 113 |
| 1939 | WS1 | SS | 118 | 0 | 194 | 359 | 24 | 74 |
| 1940 | WS1 | 3B | 113 | 0 | 116 | 265 | 27 | 30 |
| 1940 | WS1 | SS | 23 | 0 | 48 | 75 | 11 | 20 |
| 1941 | WS1 | 3B | 16 | 0 | 14 | 39 | 2 | 4 |
| 1941 | WS1 | SS | 136 | 0 | 279 | 388 | 25 | 99 |
| 1945 | WS1 | 3B | 14 | 0 | 18 | 28 | 4 | 4 |
| 1946 | WS1 | 3B | 56 | 0 | 54 | 94 | 17 | 15 |
| 1946 | WS1 | SS | 75 | 0 | 133 | 196 | 14 | 45 |
| 1947 | WS1 | 3B | 39 | 0 | 28 | 68 | 7 | 6 |
| 1947 | WS1 | SS | 15 | 0 | 25 | 44 | 2 | 9 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 4 |
| Third Base | 468 |
| Shortstop | 710 |
| Left Field | 17 |
| Right Field | 52 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Baseball Magazine All-Star | SS |
| 1941 | Baseball Magazine All-Star | SS |
| 1941 | TSN All-Star | SS |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 6th | 101.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1940 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 23th | 3.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1938 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 9th | 33.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1937 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 11th | 12.0 | 80 | 0 |