Johnny Rucker

Born: 1/15/1917 in Crabapple, GA, USA

Died: 8/7/1985 in Moultrie, GA, USA

MLB Debut: 1940-04-16 | Final Game: 1946-09-29

Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 175 lbs

Full name: John Joel Rucker

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Biography

Johnny Rucker was a versatile position player who made his mark in Major League Baseball during the 1940s. Born in 1917, Rucker's career spanned from 1940 to 1946, a period defined by the impact of World War II on the sport and the subsequent return of players to the game. Over the course of his seven-season career, he appeared in 705 games, showcasing his ability as an effective hitter and a reliable contributor on the field. Rucker finished his career with 711 hits, a .272 batting average, and 21 home runs, complemented by 214 RBIs and 35 stolen bases, demonstrating both power and speed. Rucker’s playing style reflected the competitive nature of his era, characterized by a blend of aggressive base running and solid batting skills. His contributions were particularly valuable during a transformative period in baseball, as the game began to integrate and evolve following the war. Rucker's legacy is remembered not only for his individual achievements but also for his role in the rich tapestry of baseball history during a time of significant change. After his retirement on September 29, 1946, Rucker left behind a commendable record that continues to be recognized by baseball enthusiasts today.

Career Batting Statistics

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	PIV
705	2617	354	711	105	39	21	214	35	109	248	0.272	0.302	0.366	0.668	-2679.6

Career AVG .272 vs. league average .261 across their career seasons — near league average.

Career OBP .302 vs. league average .329 across their career seasons — 8.4% below league average.

Career SLG .366 vs. league average .363 across their career seasons — near league average.

Career OPS 0.668 vs. league average 0.692 across their career seasons — near 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
1940	NY1	NL	86	277	38	82	7	5	4	23	4	7	32	0.296	.267 (+11%)	.335 (-7%)	.387 (+3%)	.722 (-1%)	-157.6
1941	NY1	NL	143	622	95	179	38	9	1	42	8	29	61	0.288	.262 (+10%)	.332 (-4%)	.373 (+3%)	.705 (avg)	-292.5
1943	NY1	NL	132	505	56	138	19	4	2	46	4	22	44	0.273	.255 (+7%)	.324 (-7%)	.346 (-2%)	.671 (-4%)	-555.1
1944	NY1	NL	144	587	79	143	14	8	6	39	8	24	48	0.244	.261 (-7%)	.325 (-16%)	.357 (-9%)	.683 (-12%)	-1568.8
1945	NY1	NL	105	429	58	117	19	11	7	51	7	20	36	0.273	.260 (+5%)	.328 (-7%)	.354 (+18%)	.683 (+6%)	191.3
1946	NY1	NL	95	197	28	52	8	2	1	13	4	7	27	0.264	.256 (+3%)	.328 (-9%)	.358 (-5%)	.687 (-7%)	-296.9