Al Unser
Born: 10/12/1912 in Morrisonville, IL, USA
Died: 7/7/1995 in Decatur, IL, USA
MLB Debut: 1942-09-14 | Final Game: 1945-09-05
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Albert Bernard Unser
Biography
Al Unser was a professional baseball player born in 1912, who played primarily as a position player from 1942 until his retirement in 1945. During his career, which spanned the tumultuous years of World War II, Unser appeared in 120 games and made a notable impact on the field despite the challenges of the era. He finished his career with a batting average of .251, accumulating 85 hits, four home runs, and 30 RBIs. His contribution to his teams during this period was significant, as he helped maintain the competitive spirit of baseball during a time when many players were enlisted in the military.
Unserโs playing style was characterized by solid contact hitting, though he did not steal any bases throughout his career, indicating a more traditional approach to offensive play. While he may not have been a household name, his role in the game during the 1940s contributed to the foundation of post-war baseball, as the sport began to regain its prominence in American culture. Al Unser's legacy remains as a symbol of resilience and dedication, representing the era's players who kept the game alive during a period of national strife.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 120 | 338 | 41 | 85 | 15 | 4 | 4 | 30 | 0 | 32 | 43 | 0.251 | 0.322 | 0.355 | 0.677 | 63.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | DET | AL | 4 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.375 | 0.0 |
| 1943 | DET | AL | 38 | 101 | 14 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 15 | 15 | 0.248 | 6.0 |
| 1944 | DET | AL | 11 | 25 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0.120 | 0.0 |
| 1945 | CIN | NL | 67 | 204 | 23 | 54 | 10 | 3 | 3 | 21 | 0 | 14 | 24 | 0.265 | 57.6 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 5 | 0 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| C | 103 | 0 | 361 | 53 | 14 | 9 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | DET | C | 4 | 0 | 11 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1943 | DET | C | 37 | 0 | 143 | 20 | 3 | 4 |
| 1944 | DET | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1944 | DET | 2B | 5 | 0 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 |
| 1945 | CIN | C | 61 | 0 | 207 | 30 | 11 | 5 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 103 |
| Second Base | 5 |