Johnny Vander Meer, baseball player, 1937-1951

Johnny Vander Meer

Born: 11/2/1914 in Prospect Park, NJ, USA

Died: 10/6/1997 in Tampa, FL, USA

MLB Debut: 1937-04-22 | Final Game: 1951-05-07

Bats: B | Throws: L | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 190 lbs

Full name: John Samuel Vander Meer

Biography

Johnny Vander Meer, born in 1914, was a prominent pitcher in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1937 until 1951. He was known for his exceptional left-handed pitching and remarkable durability on the mound. Vander Meer finished his career with a record of 119 wins and 121 losses, an earned run average (ERA) of 3.44, and a total of 1,294 strikeouts. He also recorded 2 saves, highlighting his versatility as a pitcher. Vander Meer's impressive performance earned him four All-Star selections, a testament to his talent and consistency during an era that featured many legendary players. Vander Meer is perhaps best remembered for his historic achievement of throwing back-to-back no-hitters in 1938, a feat that remains unparalleled in baseball history. This remarkable accomplishment not only cemented his place in the annals of the game but also showcased his ability to dominate hitters during the late 1930s, a time when the sport was evolving and becoming more competitive. His contributions to the game extended beyond the numbers, as he became a beloved figure in the baseball community, celebrated for his skill and determination on the mound. Vander Meer's legacy continues to resonate in the world of baseball, where he is remembered as one of the great pitchers of his time.

Negro Leagues Career Statistics

Batting

PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB BA OBP SLG OPS
3.0 3.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000 .000 .000 .000

Pitching

W L G GS CG SHO SV IP H R ER HR BB SO ERA
4.0 0 0 1.0 1.0 0 0 0.0 3.0 1.0 1.0 0 0 0 1.00

Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting

Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Pitching

Career Pitching Statistics

W L G GS CG SHO SV IP H ER HR BB SO ERA Pitcher PIV
119 121 346 285 131 29 2 2104.7 1799 805 100 1132 1294 3.44 0

Season-by-Season Pitching

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
382 685 58 104 12 2 1 26 1 41 201 0.152 0.200 0.180 0.379 -4789.3

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1940 WS CIN 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000

Playoff Career Pitching

W L G GS SV IP H ER BB SO ERA
0 0 1 0 0 3.0 2 0 3 2 0.00

Playoff Pitching by Year

Year Round Team W L G GS SV IP H ER BB SO ERA
1940 WS CIN 0 0 1 0 0 3.0 2 0 3 2 0.00

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
P 346 0 82 404 29 30

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Pitcher 346

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1948 Most Valuable Player NL 19th 13.0 336 0
1946 Most Valuable Player NL 24th 7.0 336 0
1942 Most Valuable Player NL 20th 11.0 336 0
1938 Most Valuable Player NL 18th 6.0 336 0