Johnny Wyrostek
Born: 7/12/1919 in Fairmont City, IL, USA
Died: 12/12/1986 in St. Louis, MO, USA
MLB Debut: 1942-09-10 | Final Game: 1954-09-26
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: John Barney Wyrostek
Biography
Johnny Wyrostek was a professional baseball player who graced Major League Baseball from 1942 to 1954. Born in 1919, Wyrostek established himself as a reliable position player during a competitive era that included the challenges of World War II. Over the course of his career, he played in 1,221 games, accumulating 1,149 hits and posting a solid batting average of .271. Known for his power and consistent hitting, he recorded 58 home runs and drove in 481 runs while also showcasing his speed on the bases with 33 stolen bases.
Wyrostek's contributions to the game were recognized with two All-Star selections, highlighting his status among the league's elite during his playing years. His ability to perform at a high level in the post-war era, when baseball saw an influx of talent and increased competition, marked him as a significant figure of his time. With a well-rounded skill set that combined hitting prowess and base-running ability, Johnny Wyrostek left an indelible mark on the sport, representing the hardworking players of his generation.
Negro Leagues Career Statistics
Batting
| PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0.500 | 0.500 | 0.500 | 1.000 |
Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting
| Season | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | SB | BA | OBP | SLG | OPS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1941 | 4.0 | 4.0 | 0 | 2.0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2.0 | 0 | 1.0 | 0 | 0.500 | 0.500 | 0.500 | 1.000 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1221 | 4240 | 525 | 1149 | 209 | 45 | 58 | 481 | 33 | 482 | 437 | 0.271 | 0.349 | 0.383 | 0.731 | 2300.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | PIT | NL | 9 | 35 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0.114 | 0.0 |
| 1943 | PIT | NL | 51 | 79 | 7 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 0.152 | -585.5 |
| 1946 | PHI | NL | 145 | 545 | 73 | 153 | 30 | 4 | 6 | 45 | 7 | 70 | 42 | 0.281 | 1092.2 |
| 1947 | PHI | NL | 128 | 454 | 68 | 124 | 24 | 7 | 5 | 51 | 7 | 61 | 45 | 0.273 | 604.5 |
| 1948 | CIN | NL | 136 | 512 | 74 | 140 | 24 | 9 | 17 | 76 | 7 | 52 | 63 | 0.273 | 941.7 |
| 1949 | CIN | NL | 134 | 474 | 54 | 118 | 20 | 4 | 9 | 46 | 7 | 58 | 63 | 0.249 | -386.4 |
| 1950 | CIN | NL | 131 | 509 | 70 | 145 | 34 | 5 | 8 | 76 | 1 | 52 | 38 | 0.285 | 355.9 |
| 1951 | CIN | NL | 142 | 537 | 52 | 167 | 31 | 3 | 2 | 61 | 2 | 54 | 54 | 0.311 | 766.4 |
| 1952 | CIN | NL | 30 | 106 | 12 | 25 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 18 | 7 | 0.236 | -13.3 |
| 1952 | PHI | NL | 98 | 321 | 45 | 88 | 16 | 3 | 1 | 37 | 1 | 44 | 26 | 0.274 | -13.3 |
| 1953 | PHI | NL | 125 | 409 | 42 | 111 | 14 | 2 | 6 | 47 | 0 | 38 | 43 | 0.271 | -323.4 |
| 1954 | PHI | NL | 92 | 259 | 28 | 62 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 28 | 0 | 29 | 39 | 0.239 | -422.8 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 28 | 21 | 215 | 11 | 3 | 25 |
| 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 3B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| OF | 1105 | 48 | 2372 | 96 | 64 | 15 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1942 | PIT | OF | 8 | 0 | 18 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1943 | PIT | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1943 | PIT | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1943 | PIT | 3B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1943 | PIT | OF | 20 | 0 | 34 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 1946 | PHI | OF | 142 | 0 | 388 | 18 | 8 | 4 |
| 1947 | PHI | OF | 126 | 0 | 261 | 11 | 8 | 2 |
| 1948 | CIN | OF | 130 | 0 | 331 | 8 | 8 | 1 |
| 1949 | CIN | OF | 129 | 0 | 293 | 10 | 9 | 1 |
| 1950 | CIN | 1B | 4 | 0 | 20 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 1950 | CIN | OF | 129 | 0 | 238 | 8 | 5 | 0 |
| 1951 | CIN | OF | 139 | 0 | 255 | 8 | 8 | 2 |
| 1952 | CIN | 1B | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1952 | CIN | OF | 29 | 0 | 70 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 1952 | PHI | OF | 88 | 0 | 202 | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| 1953 | PHI | OF | 110 | 0 | 192 | 11 | 8 | 2 |
| 1954 | PHI | 1B | 22 | 21 | 187 | 9 | 3 | 20 |
| 1954 | PHI | OF | 55 | 48 | 90 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 28 |
| Second Base | 1 |
| Third Base | 2 |
| Left Field | 51 |
| Center Field | 402 |
| Right Field | 688 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 19th | 6.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1948 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 20th | 9.0 | 336 | 0 |