Vern Benson, baseball player, 1943-1953

Vern Benson

Born: 9/19/1924 in Granite Quarry, NC, USA

Died: 1/20/2014 in Salisbury, NC, USA

MLB Debut: 1943-07-31 | Final Game: 1953-05-30

Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 160 lbs

Full name: Vernon Adair Benson

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Biography

Vern Benson was a professional baseball player born in 1924, whose career spanned from 1943 to 1953. Primarily known as a position player, Benson made his mark in the major leagues during a time when the sport was transitioning from the wartime era into a more competitive landscape post-World War II. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 55 games and recorded 21 hits, including 3 home runs and 12 RBIs, culminating in a batting average of .202. Benson's playing style reflected the grit and determination of his era, as he navigated the challenges of a league that was rapidly evolving. While his statistics may not have placed him among the most celebrated players of his time, his contributions were part of the broader narrative of baseball during the mid-20th century. After retiring on May 30, 1953, Benson left behind a legacy that encompassed both his on-field performances and the rich history of the game during a pivotal time in its development.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
55 104 17 21 5 1 3 12 0 13 22 0.202 0.291 0.356 0.646 -26.4

Career AVG .202 vs. league average .258 across their career seasons — 21.7% below league average.

Career OBP .291 vs. league average .330 across their career seasons — 12.0% below league average.

Career SLG .356 vs. league average .370 across their career seasons — near league average.

Career OPS 0.646 vs. league average 0.700 across their career seasons — 7.7% below league average.

Season-by-Season Batting

Year Team Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG Lg AVG Lg OBP Lg SLG Lg OPS PIV
1943 PHA AL 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.000 — — — — 0.0
1946 PHA AL 7 5 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 3 0.000 — — — — 0.0
1951 STL NL 13 46 8 12 3 1 1 7 0 6 8 0.261 — — — — 54.6
1952 STL NL 20 47 6 9 2 0 2 5 0 5 9 0.191 — — — — -81.0
1953 STL NL 13 4 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 0.000 — — — — 0.0

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
3B 24 0 6 45 5 6
OF 6 0 13 1 1 0

Season-by-Season Fielding

Year Team Pos G GS PO A E DP
1946 PHA OF 2 0 4 0 0 0
1951 SLN 3B 9 0 1 18 1 3
1951 SLN OF 4 0 9 1 1 0
1952 SLN 3B 15 0 5 27 4 3

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Third Base 24
Left Field 6

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
Catawba College Salisbury NC 1942, 1943