Johnny Welaj

Born: 5/27/1914 in Moss Creek, PA, USA

Died: 9/13/2003 in Arlington, TX, USA

MLB Debut: 1939-05-02 | Final Game: 1943-09-27

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 164 lbs

Full name: John Ludwig Welaj

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Biography

Johnny Welaj was a versatile position player who made his mark in Major League Baseball during the early 1940s. Born in 1914, he played from 1939 until his retirement in 1943, participating in 293 games over the course of his career. Welaj was known for his solid batting ability, finishing his time in the majors with a batting average of .25, amassing a total of 198 hits, which included 4 home runs and 74 runs batted in. His speed on the bases was notable, as he successfully stole 36 bases, showcasing his ability to contribute not just with the bat, but also with his agility and base-running intelligence. Welaj's career unfolded during a tumultuous period in American history, marked by the Second World War, which affected many players and the league itself. Despite the challenges of his era, Welaj's contributions were significant for the teams he played for, and his style of play reflected the competitive spirit of the time. His legacy is remembered by baseball historians and fans alike, as a player who exemplified the grit and determination of athletes during those challenging years.

Career Batting Statistics

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	PIV
293	793	115	198	40	3	4	74	36	53	73	0.250	0.298	0.323	0.621	-1782.0

Career AVG .250 vs. league average .265 across their career seasons — 5.7% below league average.

Career OBP .298 vs. league average .334 across their career seasons — 10.6% below league average.

Career SLG .323 vs. league average .375 across their career seasons — 13.9% below league average.

Career OPS 0.621 vs. league average 0.709 across their career seasons — 12.3% 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
1939	WSN	AL	63	201	23	55	11	2	1	33	13	13	20	0.274	.274 (avg)	.342 (-7%)	.393 (-8%)	.735 (-7%)	-300.0
1940	WSN	AL	88	215	31	55	9	0	3	21	8	19	20	0.256	.267 (-4%)	.335 (-4%)	.387 (-12%)	.722 (-8%)	-312.7
1941	WSN	AL	49	96	16	20	4	0	0	5	3	6	16	0.208	.262 (-21%)	.332 (-23%)	.373 (-33%)	.705 (-28%)	-473.4
1943	PHA	AL	93	281	45	68	16	1	0	15	12	15	17	0.242	.255 (-5%)	.324 (-14%)	.346 (-12%)	.671 (-13%)	-695.9