Maurice Van Robays
Born: 11/15/1914 in Detroit, MI, USA
Died: 3/1/1965 in Detroit, MI, USA
MLB Debut: 1939-09-07 | Final Game: 1946-09-22
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Maurice Rene Van Robays
Biography
Maurice Van Robays was a professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1939 to 1946. Born in 1914, he played primarily as a position player and made a notable impact during a transitional period in Major League Baseball, just before the onset of the post-war era. Van Robays appeared in 529 games throughout his career, demonstrating solid offensive skills with a batting average of .267. He amassed 493 hits, including 20 home runs, and drove in 303 runs, showcasing his ability to contribute significantly to his team's offensive efforts.
Known for his versatility on the field, Van Robays was a reliable player who could be counted on for consistent performance. His career unfolded during a time when baseball was beginning to see the integration of players from diverse backgrounds and the evolving dynamics of the game. With a modest total of 2 stolen bases, he was not primarily known for his speed, but rather for his ability to make contact and drive in runs. After finishing his career on September 22, 1946, Van Robays left a legacy as a dedicated player who contributed to the rich tapestry of baseball history during a pivotal era.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 529 | 1844 | 232 | 493 | 94 | 27 | 20 | 303 | 2 | 139 | 155 | 0.267 | 0.321 | 0.380 | 0.702 | -432.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | PIT | NL | 27 | 105 | 13 | 33 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 16 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 0.314 | 140.6 |
| 1940 | PIT | NL | 145 | 572 | 82 | 156 | 27 | 7 | 11 | 116 | 2 | 33 | 58 | 0.273 | -265.8 |
| 1941 | PIT | NL | 129 | 457 | 62 | 129 | 23 | 5 | 4 | 78 | 0 | 41 | 29 | 0.282 | 162.3 |
| 1942 | PIT | NL | 100 | 328 | 29 | 76 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 46 | 0 | 30 | 24 | 0.232 | -595.2 |
| 1943 | PIT | NL | 69 | 236 | 32 | 68 | 17 | 7 | 1 | 35 | 0 | 18 | 19 | 0.288 | 551.7 |
| 1946 | PIT | NL | 59 | 146 | 14 | 31 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 12 | 0 | 11 | 15 | 0.212 | -425.7 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 3 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| OF | 470 | 0 | 982 | 32 | 36 | 10 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | PIT | 3B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1939 | PIT | OF | 25 | 0 | 33 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 1940 | PIT | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1940 | PIT | OF | 143 | 0 | 276 | 10 | 11 | 3 |
| 1941 | PIT | OF | 121 | 0 | 292 | 9 | 8 | 3 |
| 1942 | PIT | OF | 84 | 0 | 199 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
| 1943 | PIT | OF | 60 | 0 | 120 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
| 1946 | PIT | 1B | 2 | 0 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1946 | PIT | OF | 37 | 0 | 62 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 3 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 402 |
| Center Field | 1 |
| Right Field | 66 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1940 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 24th | 8.0 | 336 | 0 |