Paul Waner (11)

Arvind Raichur  

@araichur

2 members

Waner's batting average of .340 with the Pirates ranks first in the history of the club. The three-time National League batting champion ranks sixth all-time in games played (2,154), third in hits (2868), second in triples (187), fifth in RBI (1181), third in at bats (8,429), third in singles (2,018), third in extra base hits (855), third in walks (909), second in runs scored (1,493), first in doubles (559) and fourth in total bases (4,128). After batting .336 during his rookie campaign in 1926, Waner became the first player in Pirates history to capture the NL MVP during the 1927 season. He led the Senior Circuit by driving in a career-high 131 runs while helping Pittsburgh capture its second World Series appearance in three years. The four-time All-Star (1933-35, 1937), who hit .300 or better 14 times in the NL, proved to be one of the game's most dominating players during the 1930s. From 1930-39, he led all Major League players in hits (1,959), ranked third in doubles (373) and triples (112) and was fifth in batting (.336). During the 1932 season, the outfielder collected a club record 63 doubles while batting .341. Waner was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1952.