Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: All-Star Third Baseman Bob Elliott

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Bob Elliott and the 1948 World Series Photo Gallery
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Another Edition of Baseball’s Forgotten Stars: All-Star Third Baseman Bob Elliott!

“Bob Elliott made the 1948 Braves. He’s the old-time type who hits and plays his best in the clutch.” –Rogers Hornsby

Before I mention a little about the career of forgotten star Bob Elliott, here’s something that happened 65 years ago this week involving Elliott that I think you’ll find amusing.

In a game played at Sportsman’s Park on August 23, 1952, Elliott was ejected by umpire Augie Donatelli after Elliott kicked dirt on the umpire’s shoes protesting a called strike two. The Giants’ third baseman was replaced by Bobby Hofman to finish up the at-bat.

And guess what? In what may be a “baseball first,” – or better yet, a baseball “one-and-only” – Hofman was also thrown out of the game by Donatelli after he vehemently disputed the called strike three! Two players ejected in the same at-bat!

Bob Elliott definitely falls into the category of “good but not great.” He may be one of the best players most fans have never heard of. He played 15 years in the major leagues (1939-1954) for the Pirates, Braves, Giants, Browns, and White Sox. Most of his success came with the Pirates and the Braves. Over his career, the seven-time All-Star third baseman batted .289 with 170 home runs, 2061 hits, 1195 RBI, a .375 OBP, and a .440 slugging average. His career OPS+ of 124 places him well above his major league contemporaries (100 being the major league average).

Elliott contributed some of the greatest memories to the Braves’ final years in Boston, winning the 1947 National League MVP Award while earning the nickname of “Mr. Team.” That year, he hit .317, with 22 home runs, and 113 RBIs, .410 on-base percentage, and .517 slugging average. The following season, 1948, the Braves’ star led them to their second National League pennant of the 20th century, hitting .283 with 23 home runs, 100 RBIs .423 on-base percentage, and .474 slugging average. He’s the holder of one of the greatest moments in Braves’ franchise history, when his three-run home run off the Giants’ Larry Jansen clinched at least a tie for the 1948 National League pennant. Known for his outstanding batting eye, he also led the league in walks that year with 131 while striking out only 57 times.

Elliott was the second Major League third baseman to have five seasons of 100 RBIs; and he retired with the highest career slugging average (.440) of any National League third baseman. A converted outfielder, he developed into a fine third sacker and led the league in assists three times and in putouts and double plays twice each. He ended his career among the league’s leaders in games played (8th), assists (7th), total chances (10th) and double plays (4th) at third base.

For those of us who never saw him play, we can use Baseball Reference’s “Similarity Scores” to compare him with players we’re more familiar with. Bob Elliott’s career statistics compare favorably to Amos Otis, Minnie Minoso, Ken Griffey, Bobby Doerr, Cesar Cedano, and Carney Langsford.

Bob Elliott passed away in 1966 ages 49 after suffering a ruptured windpipe.

-Gary Livacari

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Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from the Bob Elliott Wikipedia page; and from the SABR biography of Bob Elliott by John McMurray: http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/dd351358

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