A part-time player for the Boston Red Sox during two years, Spence played his first full-season for the Washington Senators in 1942 and he responded ending third in the American Leaguebatting race with a .323 average behind Ted Williams (.356) and Johnny Pesky (.331). His most productive season came in 1944, when he hit .316 and posted career-highs with 18 home runs and 100 runs batted in. Also that season, on June 1, Spence went 6-for-6 against the St. Louis Browns, the Senators winning 11–5.[1] After serving in the United States Army for World War II in 1945, he returned to the Senators a year later and hit a career-high 50 doubles with 10 triples and 16 home runs.[2] Spence did a second stint with Boston and ended his majors career with the St. Louis Browns. A four-time All-Star in 1942, 1944, 1946 and 1947, he also was considered in the MVP vote in 1942 and from 1945 to 1947.
Spence hit a pivotal single in the 1947 Major League All-Star Game at Wrigley Field. Prior to his at-bat, former teammate Bobby Doerr singled, stole second, and then took third on pitcher Johnny Sain's errant pickoff attempt. Spence's pinch single resulted in the final margin of 2–1.[2]
In a nine-season career, Spence was a .282 hitter with 95 home runs and 575 RBI in 1112 games. He recorded a .984 fielding percentage playing at all three outfield positions and at first base.
In 1983, Spence was one of the initial four inductees in the Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame. Pat Crawford, Charlie Keller and George Suggs were the others.
stan, spence, this, article, needs, additional, citations, verification, please, help, improve, this, article, adding, citations, reliable, sources, unsourced, material, challenged, removed, find, sources, news, newspapers, books, scholar, jstor, january, 2021. This article needs additional citations for verification Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources Unsourced material may be challenged and removed Find sources Stan Spence news newspapers books scholar JSTOR January 2021 Learn how and when to remove this message Stanley Orville Spence March 20 1915 January 9 1983 was an American Major League Baseball center fielder who played from 1940 through 1949 for the Boston Red Sox 1940 41 1948 49 Washington Senators 1942 47 and St Louis Browns 1949 Spence batted and threw left handed He was born in South Portsmouth Kentucky to Jesse and Catherine Byers Spence Stan SpenceCenter fielderBorn 1915 03 20 March 20 1915South Portsmouth Kentucky U S Died January 9 1983 1983 01 09 aged 67 Kinston North Carolina U S Batted LeftThrew LeftMLB debutJune 8 1940 for the Boston Red SoxLast MLB appearanceOctober 2 1949 for the St Louis BrownsMLB statisticsBatting average 282Home runs95Runs batted in575TeamsBoston Red Sox 1940 1941 Washington Senators 1942 1944 1946 1947 Boston Red Sox 1948 1949 St Louis Browns 1949 Career highlights and awards4 All Star 1942 1944 1946 1947 A part time player for the Boston Red Sox during two years Spence played his first full season for the Washington Senators in 1942 and he responded ending third in the American League batting race with a 323 average behind Ted Williams 356 and Johnny Pesky 331 His most productive season came in 1944 when he hit 316 and posted career highs with 18 home runs and 100 runs batted in Also that season on June 1 Spence went 6 for 6 against the St Louis Browns the Senators winning 11 5 1 After serving in the United States Army for World War II in 1945 he returned to the Senators a year later and hit a career high 50 doubles with 10 triples and 16 home runs 2 Spence did a second stint with Boston and ended his majors career with the St Louis Browns A four time All Star in 1942 1944 1946 and 1947 he also was considered in the MVP vote in 1942 and from 1945 to 1947 Spence hit a pivotal single in the 1947 Major League All Star Game at Wrigley Field Prior to his at bat former teammate Bobby Doerr singled stole second and then took third on pitcher Johnny Sain s errant pickoff attempt Spence s pinch single resulted in the final margin of 2 1 2 In a nine season career Spence was a 282 hitter with 95 home runs and 575 RBI in 1112 games He recorded a 984 fielding percentage playing at all three outfield positions and at first base In 1983 Spence was one of the initial four inductees in the Kinston Professional Baseball Hall of Fame Pat Crawford Charlie Keller and George Suggs were the others Spence died of emphysema in Kinston North Carolina at age 67 See also editList of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders List of Major League Baseball single game hits leadersReferences edit Boxscore of Stan Spence 6 hit Game Retrieved August 26 2023 a b Armour Mark Stan Spence Society for American Baseball Research Retrieved April 6 2014 External links editCareer statistics and player information from Baseball Reference Stan Spence at Find a Grave nbsp Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Stan Spence amp oldid 1219828711, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
