Benny Zientara

Born: 2/14/1918 in Chicago, IL, USA

Died: 4/16/1985 in Lake Elsinore, CA, USA

MLB Debut: 1941-09-11 | Final Game: 1948-09-23

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 165 lbs

Full name: Benedict Joseph Zientara

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Biography

Benny Zientara, born in 1918, was a professional baseball player whose career spanned from 1941 to 1948. Primarily serving as a position player, Zientara played in a total of 278 games during his time in Major League Baseball. He compiled a career batting average of .254, notching 230 hits and contributing 49 RBIs. Known for his versatility on the field, he also displayed speed with 5 stolen bases and demonstrated power with 2 home runs throughout his career. Zientara's playing days coincided with a transformative period in baseball, marked by the impact of World War II and the integration of African American players into the league. Despite the challenges of the era, Zientara carved out a place for himself in the game, showcasing his abilities in a competitive landscape. His contributions, while not as heralded as those of some of his contemporaries, reflect the resilience and dedication of players during a time of significant change in the sport. Zientara's legacy remains a part of the rich tapestry of baseball history, celebrated by those who remember the diverse talents that graced the diamond in the mid-20th century.

Career Batting Statistics

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	PIV
278	906	106	230	29	5	2	49	5	50	48	0.254	0.293	0.304	0.596	-2662.0

Career AVG .254 vs. league average .261 across their career seasons — near league average.

Career OBP .293 vs. league average .335 across their career seasons — 12.5% below league average.

Career SLG .304 vs. league average .372 across their career seasons — 18.3% below league average.

Career OPS 0.596 vs. league average 0.706 across their career seasons — 15.6% 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
1941	CIN	NL	9	21	3	6	0	0	0	2	0	1	3	0.286	—	—	—	—	0.0
1946	CIN	NL	78	280	26	81	10	2	0	16	3	14	11	0.289	.256 (+13%)	.328 (-2%)	.358 (-5%)	.687 (-4%)	-222.6
1947	CIN	NL	117	418	60	108	18	1	2	24	2	23	23	0.258	.262 (-2%)	.336 (-12%)	.376 (-15%)	.712 (-13%)	-1148.5
1948	CIN	NL	74	187	17	35	1	2	0	7	0	12	11	0.187	.263 (-29%)	.340 (-31%)	.379 (-44%)	.719 (-37%)	-1291.0