Dick Wakefield
Born: 5/6/1921 in Chicago, IL, USA
Died: 8/26/1985 in Redford, MI, USA
MLB Debut: 1941-06-26 | Final Game: 1952-05-06
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'4" | Weight: 210 lbs
Full name: Richard Cummings Wakefield
Biography
Dick Wakefield was a talented position player who made a significant impact in Major League Baseball during the early 1940s to the early 1950s. Born in 1921, Wakefield's professional career spanned from 1941 until his retirement in 1952. Known for his powerful hitting and keen batting eye, he played in a total of 638 games, amassing 625 hits, 56 home runs, and 315 RBIs, while achieving a commendable batting average of .293. His offensive capabilities were complemented by his speed on the bases, as he recorded 10 stolen bases throughout his career.
Wakefield's prowess on the field earned him an All-Star selection, showcasing his status as one of the noteworthy players of his era. He played during a transformative period in baseball, which was marked by the integration of the sport and the evolution of playing styles. Despite facing stiff competition, he carved out a niche for himself with his consistent performance and charismatic presence on the diamond. Dick Wakefield's contributions to the game continue to be remembered, reflecting the talent and determination that characterized his playing years.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 638 | 2132 | 334 | 625 | 102 | 29 | 56 | 315 | 10 | 360 | 270 | 0.293 | 0.396 | 0.447 | 0.843 | 9520.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | DET | AL | 7 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.143 | 0.0 |
| 1943 | DET | AL | 155 | 633 | 91 | 200 | 38 | 8 | 7 | 79 | 4 | 62 | 60 | 0.316 | 2588.7 |
| 1944 | DET | AL | 78 | 276 | 53 | 98 | 15 | 5 | 12 | 53 | 2 | 55 | 29 | 0.355 | 2738.0 |
| 1946 | DET | AL | 111 | 396 | 64 | 106 | 11 | 5 | 12 | 59 | 3 | 59 | 55 | 0.268 | 1044.2 |
| 1947 | DET | AL | 112 | 368 | 59 | 104 | 15 | 5 | 8 | 51 | 1 | 80 | 44 | 0.283 | 1469.2 |
| 1948 | DET | AL | 110 | 322 | 50 | 89 | 20 | 5 | 11 | 53 | 0 | 70 | 55 | 0.276 | 1513.7 |
| 1949 | DET | AL | 59 | 126 | 17 | 26 | 3 | 1 | 6 | 19 | 0 | 32 | 24 | 0.206 | 166.4 |
| 1950 | NYY | AL | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.500 | 0.0 |
| 1952 | NY1 | NL | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 557 | 0 | 1146 | 36 | 50 | 7 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | DET | OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1943 | DET | OF | 155 | 0 | 314 | 11 | 14 | 1 |
| 1944 | DET | OF | 78 | 0 | 155 | 3 | 6 | 1 |
| 1946 | DET | OF | 104 | 0 | 210 | 6 | 8 | 1 |
| 1947 | DET | OF | 101 | 0 | 197 | 10 | 11 | 2 |
| 1948 | DET | OF | 86 | 0 | 198 | 3 | 11 | 1 |
| 1949 | DET | OF | 32 | 0 | 71 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 540 |
| Right Field | 17 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Baseball Magazine All-Star | LF |
| 1944 | Baseball Magazine All-Star | LF |
| 1944 | TSN All-Star | OF |
| 1943 | Baseball Magazine All-Star | RF |
| 1943 | TSN All-Star | OF |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | MI | 1941 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1944 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 5th | 128.0 | 336 | 2 |
| 1943 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 6th | 72.0 | 336 | 0 |