Ivy Olson
Encyclopedia
Ivan Massie Olson born in Kansas City, Missouri
was a Major League Baseball
Shortstop
for the Cleveland Naps
(1911–14), Cincinnati Reds
(1915) And Brooklyn Robins
(1915–24). He helped the Robins win the National League
Pennant in 1916 and 1920.
His best season was in 1919 when he played in all 140 games and would lead the NL in at bats (590), plate appearances (635), hits (164), singles (140) and at bats per strikeout (49.2). In 1921 he would also lead the NL in at bats (652). He currently ranks 84th on the MLB all-time sacrifice hits list (198) and ranks 73rd on the all-time at bats per strikeout list (23). He also holds the Los Angeles Dodgers single season record for at bats per strikeout (55.1 in 1922) and is the Dodgers all-time at bats per strikeout leader (26.8).
In 14 seasons he played in 1,574 games and had 6,111 at bats, 730 runs, 1,575 hits, 191 doubles, 69 triples, 13 home runs, 446 RBI, 156 stolen bases, 285 walks, .258 batting average, .295 on-base percentage, .318 slugging percentage, 1,943 total bases and 198 sacrifice hits. After his playing career ended, he was a coach for the Brooklyn Dodgers
and New York Giants
. He died in Inglewood, California
at the age of 79.
Kansas City, Missouri
Kansas City, Missouri is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and is the anchor city of the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, the second largest metropolitan area in Missouri. It encompasses in parts of Jackson, Clay, Cass, and Platte counties...
was a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
Shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
for the Cleveland Naps
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(1911–14), Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1915) And Brooklyn Robins
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(1915–24). He helped the Robins win the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Pennant in 1916 and 1920.
His best season was in 1919 when he played in all 140 games and would lead the NL in at bats (590), plate appearances (635), hits (164), singles (140) and at bats per strikeout (49.2). In 1921 he would also lead the NL in at bats (652). He currently ranks 84th on the MLB all-time sacrifice hits list (198) and ranks 73rd on the all-time at bats per strikeout list (23). He also holds the Los Angeles Dodgers single season record for at bats per strikeout (55.1 in 1922) and is the Dodgers all-time at bats per strikeout leader (26.8).
In 14 seasons he played in 1,574 games and had 6,111 at bats, 730 runs, 1,575 hits, 191 doubles, 69 triples, 13 home runs, 446 RBI, 156 stolen bases, 285 walks, .258 batting average, .295 on-base percentage, .318 slugging percentage, 1,943 total bases and 198 sacrifice hits. After his playing career ended, he was a coach for the Brooklyn Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and New York Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. He died in Inglewood, California
Inglewood, California
Inglewood is a city in southwestern Los Angeles County, California, southwest of downtown Los Angeles. It was incorporated on February 14, 1908. Its population stood at 109,673 as of the 2010 Census...
at the age of 79.