Phil Todt
Encyclopedia
Philip Julius Todt [Hook] (August 9, 1901 - November 15, 1973) was a first baseman
in Major League Baseball
between the and seasons. Listed at 6' 0", 175 lb., Todt batted and threw left-handed
. He was born in Saint Louis, Missouri.
A fine defensive first baseman and basically a line drive
hitter, Todt entered the majors in 1924 with the Boston Red Sox
, hitting .262 in 52 games as a backup for Joe Harris. Since 1925, Todt provided a solid defensive effort for a Red Sox club that finished last in the American League
for six straight seasons. He was considered in the American League MVP
vote for three consecutive years (1925–1927), and led the AL first basemen in fielding percentage
(.997) in 1928. His most productive season came in 1925, when he hit .278 with 62 runs
and 75 RBI
, all career-numbers. He also appeared in 62 games with the Philadelphia Athletics
in 1931, his last major league season.
In an eight-year career, Todt was a .258 hitter (880-for-3415) with 57 home run
s and 453 RBI in 957 games, including 372 runs, 183 doubles
, 58 triples
, 29 stolen base
s, and a .305 on-base percentage. In 904 games at first base, he collected 9079 outs
and 623 assists
while committing 80 errors
in 9782 chances
for a .992 fielding percentage. He also played four errorless games in the outfield.
Todt died at the age of 72 in his homeland of Saint Louis, Missouri.
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
in 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...
between the and seasons. Listed at 6' 0", 175 lb., Todt batted and threw left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
. He was born in Saint Louis, Missouri.
A fine defensive first baseman and basically a line drive
Line drive
In baseball, a line drive is a type of batted ball, sharply hit, and on a level trajectory. The threshold between a line drive and a fly ball can be subjective....
hitter, Todt entered the majors in 1924 with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, hitting .262 in 52 games as a backup for Joe Harris. Since 1925, Todt provided a solid defensive effort for a Red Sox club that finished last in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
for six straight seasons. He was considered in the American League MVP
MLB Most Valuable Player Award
The Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
vote for three consecutive years (1925–1927), and led the AL first basemen in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
(.997) in 1928. His most productive season came in 1925, when he hit .278 with 62 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
and 75 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, all career-numbers. He also appeared in 62 games with the Philadelphia Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in 1931, his last major league season.
In an eight-year career, Todt was a .258 hitter (880-for-3415) with 57 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 453 RBI in 957 games, including 372 runs, 183 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 58 triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 29 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, and a .305 on-base percentage. In 904 games at first base, he collected 9079 outs
Putout
In baseball statistics, a putout is given to a defensive player who records an out by one of the following methods:* Tagging a runner with the ball when he is not touching a base...
and 623 assists
Assist (baseball)
In baseball, an assist is a defensive statistic, baseball being one of the few sports in which the defensive team controls the ball. An assist is awarded to every defensive player who fields or touches the ball prior to the recording of a putout, even if the contact was unintentional...
while committing 80 errors
Error (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in 9782 chances
Total chances
In baseball statistics, total chances , also called chances offered, represents the number of plays in which a defensive player has participated. It is calculated as follows: Total Chances = assists + putouts + errors. Chances accepted refers to the total of putouts and assists only. Fielding...
for a .992 fielding percentage. He also played four errorless games in the outfield.
Todt died at the age of 72 in his homeland of Saint Louis, Missouri.
Milestone
- Todt ranks 3rd on the all-time season leaders with a 12.21 range factorRange FactorRange Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
(1926), behind Jiggs DonahueJiggs DonahueJohn Augustus "Jiggs" Donahue was a Major League Baseball player for 9 seasons from 1900-1909. Born in Springfield, Ohio, Donahue began his career as a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates , Milwaukee Brewers , and St...
(12.65, 1907; 12.35, 1908) and over George BurnsGeorge Burns (first baseman)George Henry Burns , nicknamed "Tioga George," was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for five American League teams from to...
(12.10, 1914) and Stuffy McInnisStuffy McInnisJohn Phalen "Stuffy" McInnis was a first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball.McInnis gained his nickname as a youngster in the Boston suburban leagues, where his spectacular playing brought shouts of "that's the stuff, kid".From 1909-27, McInnis played for the Philadelphia Athletics ,...
(12.10, 1918).
Fact
- In one of his significant first decisions, CommissionerCommissioner of BaseballThe Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball and its associated minor leagues. Under the direction of the Commissioner, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball hires and maintains the sport's umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts...
Kennesaw LandisKenesaw Mountain LandisKenesaw Mountain Landis was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and as the first Commissioner of Baseball from 1920 until his death...
declared Todt a free agentFree agentIn professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in 1920 when the St. Louis BrownsBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
and St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
were competing for the player's contract.