Gus Zernial
Born: 6/27/1923 in Beaumont, TX, USA
Died: 1/20/2011 in Fresno, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1949-04-19 | Final Game: 1959-09-25
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 210 lbs
Full name: Gus Edward Zernial
Biography
Gus Zernial was a prominent position player in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1949 to 1959. Born in 1923, Zernial made a name for himself as a powerful slugger during an era characterized by the transition from the deadball era to a more offense-oriented style of play. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 1,234 games, accumulating 1,093 hits, 237 home runs, and 776 RBIs, which showcased his ability to drive in runs in crucial situations. His batting average of .265 reflected his solid hitting skills, while his 15 stolen bases highlighted his versatility on the base paths.
Zernial's contributions to the game were recognized with an All-Star selection, marking him as one of the notable players of his time. His power-hitting prowess made him a key asset for the teams he played for, and his legacy continues to resonate among baseball enthusiasts. Zernial's career unfolded during a pivotal time in baseball history, as the sport began to embrace more aggressive offensive strategies, and he played an integral role in this evolution. His impact on the game remains a testament to his talent and dedication as a player.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1234 | 4131 | 572 | 1093 | 159 | 22 | 237 | 776 | 15 | 383 | 755 | 0.265 | 0.329 | 0.486 | 0.815 | 9481.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | CHW | AL | 73 | 198 | 29 | 63 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 38 | 0 | 15 | 26 | 0.318 | 605.6 |
| 1950 | CHW | AL | 143 | 543 | 75 | 152 | 16 | 4 | 29 | 93 | 0 | 38 | 110 | 0.280 | 820.5 |
| 1951 | CHW | AL | 4 | 19 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.105 | 0.0 |
| 1951 | PHA | AL | 139 | 552 | 90 | 151 | 30 | 5 | 33 | 125 | 2 | 61 | 99 | 0.274 | 0.0 |
| 1952 | PHA | AL | 145 | 549 | 76 | 144 | 15 | 1 | 29 | 100 | 5 | 70 | 87 | 0.262 | 1619.9 |
| 1953 | PHA | AL | 147 | 556 | 85 | 158 | 21 | 3 | 42 | 108 | 4 | 57 | 79 | 0.284 | 2706.8 |
| 1954 | PHA | AL | 97 | 336 | 42 | 84 | 8 | 2 | 14 | 62 | 0 | 30 | 60 | 0.250 | 1.1 |
| 1955 | KC1 | AL | 120 | 413 | 62 | 105 | 9 | 3 | 30 | 84 | 1 | 30 | 90 | 0.254 | 721.9 |
| 1956 | KC1 | AL | 109 | 272 | 36 | 61 | 12 | 0 | 16 | 44 | 2 | 33 | 66 | 0.224 | 205.1 |
| 1957 | KC1 | AL | 131 | 437 | 56 | 103 | 20 | 1 | 27 | 69 | 1 | 34 | 84 | 0.236 | 364.8 |
| 1958 | DET | AL | 66 | 124 | 8 | 40 | 7 | 1 | 5 | 23 | 0 | 6 | 25 | 0.323 | 408.7 |
| 1959 | DET | AL | 60 | 132 | 11 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 7 | 26 | 0 | 7 | 27 | 0.227 | -179.8 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 35 | 31 | 206 | 11 | 7 | 20 |
| OF | 1007 | 393 | 2081 | 81 | 71 | 14 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | CHA | OF | 46 | 0 | 73 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1950 | CHA | OF | 137 | 0 | 306 | 9 | 10 | 2 |
| 1951 | CHA | OF | 4 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1951 | PHA | OF | 138 | 0 | 321 | 17 | 9 | 3 |
| 1952 | PHA | OF | 141 | 0 | 302 | 6 | 9 | 0 |
| 1953 | PHA | OF | 141 | 0 | 300 | 17 | 9 | 2 |
| 1954 | PHA | 1B | 2 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1954 | PHA | OF | 90 | 87 | 180 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
| 1955 | KC1 | OF | 103 | 102 | 231 | 9 | 9 | 4 |
| 1956 | KC1 | OF | 69 | 69 | 111 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| 1957 | KC1 | 1B | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1957 | KC1 | OF | 113 | 111 | 213 | 4 | 11 | 1 |
| 1958 | DET | OF | 24 | 24 | 30 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 1959 | DET | 1B | 32 | 31 | 197 | 10 | 6 | 20 |
| 1959 | DET | OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 35 |
| Left Field | 1005 |
| Right Field | 1 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 18th | 16.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1951 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 20th | 15.0 | 336 | 0 |