Lyman Bostock

Born: 11/22/1950 in Birmingham, AL, USA

Died: 9/24/1978 in Gary, IN, USA

MLB Debut: 1975-04-08 | Final Game: 1978-09-23

Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 180 lbs

Full name: Lyman Wesley Bostock

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Biography

Lyman Bostock was an accomplished position player who made a notable impact in Major League Baseball during his brief career from 1975 to 1978. Born in 1950, Bostock burst onto the scene with a refined batting technique and an innate ability to make contact, culminating in a career batting average of .311 over 526 games. He played with the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels, showcasing a combination of speed and power that earned him respect among his peers. Bostock recorded 624 hits, 23 home runs, and 250 RBIs, along with 45 stolen bases, highlighting his versatility as both a hitter and base runner. Bostock's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, characterized by the aftermath of the integration of the sport and the increasing importance of player statistics. His approach at the plate was marked by a keen eye for pitch selection, often leading to high on-base percentages and clutch performances. Tragically, Bostock's career was cut short when he was murdered in 1978 at the young age of 27, leaving behind a legacy that resonates with baseball fans and historians alike. His promising trajectory and the circumstances surrounding his untimely death have made him a poignant figure in the annals of baseball history.

Negro Leagues Career Statistics

Batting

PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
530.0	485.0	74.0	188.0	31.0	14.0	2.0	44.0	36.0	3.0	6.0	0.388	0.430	0.522	0.952

Negro Leagues Season-by-Season Batting

Season	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
1940	105.0	101.0	15.0	29.0	5.0	1.0	0	3.0	4.0	0	1.0	0.287	0.314	0.356	0.670
1941	91.0	79.0	10.0	40.0	5.0	4.0	0	8.0	4.0	0	1.0	0.506	0.518	0.671	1.189
1942	36.0	31.0	5.0	11.0	3.0	1.0	1.0	4.0	5.0	0	1.0	0.355	0.444	0.613	1.057
1946	34.0	31.0	9.0	28.0	5.0	3.0	1.0	5.0	3.0	0	0	0.903	0.912	1.355	2.267
1947	91.0	83.0	16.0	33.0	5.0	2.0	0	12.0	11.0	1.0	0	0.398	0.468	0.506	0.974
1948	84.0	77.0	5.0	19.0	2.0	1.0	0	5.0	6.0	1.0	2.0	0.247	0.301	0.299	0.600
1949	89.0	83.0	14.0	28.0	6.0	2.0	0	7.0	3.0	1.0	1.0	0.337	0.375	0.458	0.833

Career Batting Statistics

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	PIV
526	2004	305	624	102	30	23	250	45	171	174	0.311	0.365	0.427	0.791	4750.2

Career AVG .311 vs. league average .259 across their career seasons — +20.3% above league average.

Career OBP .365 vs. league average .325 across their career seasons — +12.2% above league average.

Career SLG .427 vs. league average .379 across their career seasons — +12.5% above league average.

Career OPS 0.791 vs. league average 0.704 across their career seasons — +12.4% above 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
1975	MIN	AL	98	369	52	104	21	5	0	29	2	28	42	0.282	.257 (+9%)	.327 (+1%)	.374 (-2%)	.701 (-1%)	-97.3
1976	MIN	AL	128	474	75	153	21	9	4	60	12	33	37	0.323	.255 (+26%)	.320 (+14%)	.360 (+19%)	.681 (+17%)	1364.5
1977	MIN	AL	153	593	104	199	36	12	14	90	16	51	59	0.336	.264 (+27%)	.329 (+18%)	.401 (+27%)	.730 (+23%)	2720.7
1978	LAA	AL	147	568	74	168	24	4	5	71	15	59	36	0.296	.257 (+15%)	.323 (+12%)	.378 (avg)	.702 (+5%)	762.3