Dick Wakefield

Born: 5/6/1921 in Chicago, IL, USA

Died: 8/26/1985 in Redford, MI, USA

MLB Debut: 1941-06-26 | Final Game: 1952-05-06

Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'4" | Weight: 210 lbs

Full name: Richard Cummings Wakefield

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Biography

Dick Wakefield was a talented position player who made a significant impact in Major League Baseball during the early 1940s to the early 1950s. Born in 1921, Wakefield's professional career spanned from 1941 until his retirement in 1952. Known for his powerful hitting and keen batting eye, he played in a total of 638 games, amassing 625 hits, 56 home runs, and 315 RBIs, while achieving a commendable batting average of .293. His offensive capabilities were complemented by his speed on the bases, as he recorded 10 stolen bases throughout his career. Wakefield's prowess on the field earned him an All-Star selection, showcasing his status as one of the noteworthy players of his era. He played during a transformative period in baseball, which was marked by the integration of the sport and the evolution of playing styles. Despite facing stiff competition, he carved out a niche for himself with his consistent performance and charismatic presence on the diamond. Dick Wakefield's contributions to the game continue to be remembered, reflecting the talent and determination that characterized his playing years.

Career Batting Statistics

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	PIV
638	2132	334	625	102	29	56	315	10	360	270	0.293	0.396	0.447	0.843	9496.4

Career AVG .293 vs. league average .260 across their career seasons — +12.6% above league average.

Career OBP .396 vs. league average .334 across their career seasons — +18.7% above league average.

Career SLG .447 vs. league average .371 across their career seasons — +20.5% above league average.

Career OPS 0.843 vs. league average 0.705 across their career seasons — +19.6% 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
1941	DET	AL	7	7	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	0.143	—	—	—	—	0.0
1943	DET	AL	155	633	91	200	38	8	7	79	4	62	60	0.316	.255 (+23%)	.324 (+16%)	.346 (+25%)	.671 (+21%)	2516.0
1944	DET	AL	78	276	53	98	15	5	12	53	2	55	29	0.355	.261 (+36%)	.325 (+42%)	.357 (+61%)	.683 (+52%)	2740.9
1946	DET	AL	111	396	64	106	11	5	12	59	3	59	55	0.268	.256 (+4%)	.328 (+11%)	.358 (+15%)	.687 (+13%)	1048.6
1947	DET	AL	112	368	59	104	15	5	8	51	1	80	44	0.283	.262 (+8%)	.336 (+22%)	.376 (+11%)	.712 (+16%)	1470.3
1948	DET	AL	110	322	50	89	20	5	11	53	0	70	55	0.276	.263 (+5%)	.340 (+19%)	.379 (+24%)	.719 (+22%)	1554.2
1949	DET	AL	59	126	17	26	3	1	6	19	0	32	24	0.206	.262 (-21%)	.343 (+7%)	.384 (+1%)	.727 (+4%)	166.4
1950	NYY	AL	3	2	0	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	0.500	—	—	—	—	0.0
1952	NY1	NL	3	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	0.000	—	—	—	—	0.0