Taffy Wright
Born: 8/10/1911 in Tabor City, NC, USA
Died: 10/22/1981 in Orlando, FL, USA
MLB Debut: 1938-04-18 | Final Game: 1949-09-16
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Taft Shedron Wright
Biography
Taffy Wright was a notable position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1938 to 1949. Born in 1911, Wright made his mark in an era that transitioned from the Great Depression into the post-war boom, a time when baseball was rapidly becoming America's pastime. Over the course of 1,029 games, he established himself as a consistent offensive threat, amassing 1,115 hits and achieving a commendable batting average of .311. His ability to drive in runs was reflected in his 553 RBIs, and he demonstrated speed on the bases with 32 stolen bases throughout his career.
Wright's power at the plate was evident, as he hit 38 home runs, contributing to his team's offensive efforts during a time when the game was evolving in terms of hitting prowess. His performance and reliability made him a vital player for the teams he represented, leaving a lasting impression on fans and players alike. Taffy Wright's career remains a significant chapter in the history of baseball, illustrating the talent and competitiveness of the league during the late 1930s and 1940s.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1029 | 3583 | 465 | 1115 | 175 | 55 | 38 | 553 | 32 | 346 | 155 | 0.311 | 0.376 | 0.423 | 0.799 | 8344.4 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | WSN | AL | 100 | 263 | 37 | 92 | 18 | 10 | 2 | 36 | 1 | 13 | 17 | 0.350 | 1041.5 |
| 1939 | WSN | AL | 129 | 499 | 77 | 154 | 29 | 11 | 4 | 93 | 1 | 38 | 19 | 0.309 | 624.2 |
| 1940 | CHW | AL | 147 | 581 | 79 | 196 | 31 | 9 | 5 | 88 | 4 | 43 | 25 | 0.337 | 1742.4 |
| 1941 | CHW | AL | 136 | 513 | 71 | 165 | 35 | 5 | 10 | 97 | 5 | 60 | 27 | 0.322 | 2367.2 |
| 1942 | CHW | AL | 85 | 300 | 43 | 100 | 13 | 5 | 0 | 47 | 1 | 48 | 9 | 0.333 | 1552.2 |
| 1946 | CHW | AL | 115 | 422 | 46 | 116 | 19 | 4 | 7 | 52 | 10 | 42 | 17 | 0.275 | 470.8 |
| 1947 | CHW | AL | 124 | 401 | 48 | 130 | 13 | 0 | 4 | 54 | 8 | 48 | 17 | 0.324 | 973.8 |
| 1948 | CHW | AL | 134 | 455 | 50 | 127 | 15 | 6 | 4 | 61 | 2 | 38 | 18 | 0.279 | -224.6 |
| 1949 | PHA | AL | 59 | 149 | 14 | 35 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 25 | 0 | 16 | 6 | 0.235 | -202.9 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 898 | 0 | 1778 | 63 | 53 | 17 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1938 | WS1 | OF | 60 | 0 | 107 | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| 1939 | WS1 | OF | 123 | 0 | 236 | 10 | 13 | 4 |
| 1940 | CHA | OF | 144 | 0 | 278 | 11 | 11 | 2 |
| 1941 | CHA | OF | 134 | 0 | 279 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
| 1942 | CHA | OF | 81 | 0 | 176 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 1946 | CHA | OF | 107 | 0 | 217 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 1947 | CHA | OF | 100 | 0 | 198 | 6 | 6 | 1 |
| 1948 | CHA | OF | 114 | 0 | 227 | 9 | 3 | 3 |
| 1949 | PHA | OF | 35 | 0 | 60 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 184 |
| Right Field | 714 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1947 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 31th | 1.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1942 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 23th | 6.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1941 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 25th | 2.0 | 336 | 0 |