Rabbit Maranville
From BR Bullpen
Walter James Vincent Maranville
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 5' 5", Weight 155 lb.
- Debut September 10, 1912
- Final Game September 29, 1935
- Born November 11, 1891 in Springfield, MA USA
- Died January 5, 1954 in New York, NY USA
Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1954
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[edit] Biographical Information
Rabbit Maranville is one of the worst hitters to get into the Hall of Fame. He was a slick-fielding shortstop and a character, whose abilities were recognized early on - in his first two full seasons in the majors he was 3rd and then 2nd in the MVP voting. He played most of the 1910s, most of the 1920s, and nearly half of the 1930s. He spent his first nine major league seasons as well as his last six major league seasons with the Boston Braves. He was briefly a manager, but clearly didn't have the personality type to be a manager.
He had 672 official at bats in 1922 without hitting a single home run, an all time record. His 747 plate appearances in 1922 without a homer are also a record.
His minor league career started in 1911, and in 1939, when he was a minor league manager, he batted a few more times.
"Today I consider Maranville the greatest player to come into the game since Ty Cobb cracked his way into the ranks of big leaguers." - George Stallings, manager of the 1914 "Miracle Braves"
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL At Bats Leader (1922)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 1 (1922)
- Won a World Series with the Boston Braves in 1914
- Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1954
| Preceded by Bill Killefer | Chicago Cubs Manager 1925 | Succeeded by George Gibson |
[edit] Records Held
- Putouts, shortstop, career, 5139
