Doug Hansen

From BR Bullpen

Douglas William Hansen

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 0", Weight 180 lb.

Debut September 4, 1951
Final Game September 11, 1951
Born December 16, 1928 in Los Angeles, CA USA
Died September 16, 1999 in Orem, UT USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Doug Hansen signed as an amateur free agent with the Chicago Cubs before the 1947 season. The 18 year old infielder would spend the first 31 games of his initial season with the class C Visalia Cubs of the California League hitting at a .248 clip. In June the Chicago Cubs Organization would send him to the El Paso Texans of the Arizona-Texas League in an unknown transaction and Doug would appear in 56 games and hit for a .291 average.

He would stay at El Paso for the 1948 season where he appeared in 141 contests and hit at a .276 average. Then, before the 1949 season, El Paso would send him to the Cleveland Indians in another unknown transaction. The second baseman had a decent year in 1949, hitting .241 with 11 homers in 141 games, for the Harrisburg Senators of the class B Interstate League.

This showing led up to his breakout season in 1950 with the Wilkes-Barre Indians of the class A Eastern League. The 21 year old second sacker had a career high 17 homers with 107 RBI and a .289 batting average. He also was chosen for the league All-Star team. This performance got the 21 year old infielder a September call up to Municipal Stadium. Doug was used as a pinch runner in three games and he came around to score twice, but he never got a chance to swing the bat or field the ball and this would be his only chance in the major leagues.

The Military Service of the United States Army would require Hansen's services in 1951-52 and he would spend this time in the Korean War. In 1953 Doug would be with both the Reading Indians and the Indianapolis Indians hitting a combined .235 with 6 home runs in 91 games. He would be with three different high minor clubs in 1954, appearing in 129 games but hit only .221 with 11 homers.

Hansen was out of baseball in 1955, tried a brief comeback in 1956 with the San Diego Padres of the PCL but decided after seven seasons of pro baseball to seek other avenues. While in the minors Doug appeared in 725 games, hit 56 home runs and had a .259 minor league career batting average. Hansen passed away September 16, 1999 at age 70 in Orem, UT.