Max West
Born: 11/28/1916 in Dexter, MO, USA
Died: 12/31/2003 in Sierra Madre, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1938-04-19 | Final Game: 1948-10-01
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 182 lbs
Full name: Max Edward West
Biography
Max West, born in 1916, was a prominent position player in Major League Baseball who had a career spanning from 1938 to 1948. West played in a total of 824 games, during which he recorded 681 hits and demonstrated his power at the plate with 77 home runs and 380 RBIs. His career batting average stood at .254, and he also showcased his speed on the bases with 19 stolen bases. Westโs contributions to the game were recognized with an All-Star selection, highlighting his impact during a competitive era in baseball.
West's playing style was characterized by a combination of solid hitting and versatility, allowing him to make significant contributions to his teams over the course of his career. He played during a time when baseball was evolving, moving past the challenges of the Great Depression and into the post-war era, when the game began to see an influx of talent and changes in playing strategies. Although his career was relatively brief, West left a lasting mark and is remembered as a skilled athlete who excelled in the evolving landscape of professional baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 824 | 2676 | 338 | 681 | 136 | 20 | 77 | 380 | 19 | 353 | 340 | 0.254 | 0.344 | 0.407 | 0.751 | 2993.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | BSN | NL | 123 | 418 | 47 | 98 | 16 | 5 | 10 | 63 | 5 | 38 | 38 | 0.234 | -885.0 |
| 1939 | BSN | NL | 130 | 449 | 67 | 128 | 26 | 6 | 19 | 82 | 1 | 51 | 55 | 0.285 | 1454.6 |
| 1940 | BSN | NL | 139 | 524 | 72 | 137 | 27 | 5 | 7 | 72 | 2 | 65 | 54 | 0.261 | -40.7 |
| 1941 | BSN | NL | 138 | 484 | 63 | 134 | 28 | 4 | 12 | 68 | 5 | 72 | 68 | 0.277 | 1353.2 |
| 1942 | BSN | NL | 134 | 452 | 54 | 115 | 22 | 0 | 16 | 56 | 4 | 68 | 59 | 0.254 | 1280.4 |
| 1946 | BSN | NL | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1946 | CIN | NL | 72 | 202 | 16 | 43 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 18 | 1 | 32 | 36 | 0.213 | 0.0 |
| 1948 | PIT | NL | 87 | 146 | 19 | 26 | 4 | 0 | 8 | 21 | 1 | 27 | 29 | 0.178 | -142.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 161 | 0 | 1409 | 93 | 16 | 116 |
| OF | 591 | 0 | 1243 | 53 | 33 | 13 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | BSN | 1B | 7 | 0 | 63 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 1938 | BSN | OF | 109 | 0 | 205 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| 1939 | BSN | OF | 124 | 0 | 287 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| 1940 | BSN | 1B | 36 | 0 | 338 | 24 | 5 | 33 |
| 1940 | BSN | OF | 102 | 0 | 220 | 16 | 6 | 1 |
| 1941 | BSN | OF | 132 | 0 | 302 | 13 | 6 | 5 |
| 1942 | BSN | 1B | 85 | 0 | 807 | 47 | 8 | 67 |
| 1942 | BSN | OF | 50 | 0 | 106 | 4 | 4 | 0 |
| 1946 | BSN | 1B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1946 | CIN | OF | 58 | 0 | 112 | 6 | 6 | 3 |
| 1948 | PIT | 1B | 32 | 0 | 198 | 20 | 2 | 14 |
| 1948 | PIT | OF | 16 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 160 |
| Left Field | 339 |
| Center Field | 113 |
| Right Field | 174 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 27th | 4.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1940 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 26th | 6.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1939 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 23th | 5.0 | 336 | 0 |