Joe Lafata

Born: 8/3/1921 in Detroit, MI, USA

Died: 5/6/2004 in Roseville, MI, USA

MLB Debut: 1947-04-17 | Final Game: 1949-09-25

Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 163 lbs

Full name: Joseph Joseph Lafata

📊 Compare This Player 📈 View Career Timeline

Biography

Joe Lafata was a professional baseball player who played as a position player from 1947 to 1949. Born in 1921, Lafata made his debut in the post-World War II era, a time when Major League Baseball was experiencing a resurgence in popularity and talent. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 127 games, showcasing his skills primarily as an infielder and outfielder. Lafata collected 54 hits, including 5 home runs, and drove in 34 runs, finishing his career with a batting average of .229. Known for his hustle on the field, he also contributed with 2 stolen bases, demonstrating a blend of power and speed that was appreciated during his playing years. Lafata's time in Major League Baseball coincided with a pivotal moment in the sport's history, as it began to integrate and attract a more diverse array of talent. Despite his relatively brief career, Lafata's contributions on the field reflected the evolving nature of baseball during the late 1940s. His journey through the league, although not marked by overwhelming statistics, is a testament to the many players who worked hard to make their mark during a transformative period in the game.

Career Batting Statistics

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	PIV
127	236	31	54	3	2	5	34	2	24	42	0.229	0.303	0.322	0.625	-552.0

Career AVG .229 vs. league average .263 across their career seasons — 13.0% below league average.

Career OBP .303 vs. league average .340 across their career seasons — 11.0% below league average.

Career SLG .322 vs. league average .380 across their career seasons — 15.2% below league average.

Career OPS 0.625 vs. league average 0.719 across their career seasons — 13.2% 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
1947	NY1	NL	62	95	13	21	1	0	2	18	1	15	18	0.221	.262 (-16%)	.336 (-1%)	.376 (-22%)	.712 (-12%)	-152.5
1948	NY1	NL	1	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.000	—	—	—	—	0.0
1949	NY1	NL	64	140	18	33	2	2	3	16	1	9	23	0.236	.262 (-10%)	.343 (-18%)	.384 (-11%)	.727 (-14%)	-399.5