Fred Clarke

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Fred Clarke

Inducted:
1945

Fred Clarke MLB Hall of Fame

Personal Details

Stats:
5-10, 165lb (178cm, 74kg)

Born:
October 3, 1872
Winterset, Iowa, U.S.

Died:
August 14, 1960
Winfield, Kansas, U.S.

Position:
Left fielder
Manager

College:
Louisville Colonels

Fred Clarke was a standout player and manager during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known for his sharp baseball mind and consistent play, Clarke played from 1894 to 1915, primarily with the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates.

As a left fielder, he was a strong hitter, finishing with a .312 career batting average, while also showing speed on the basepaths and solid defensive skills.

Beyond his playing abilities, Clarke excelled as a manager, leading the Pirates to four National League pennants and a World Series championship in 1909.

His leadership style combined strategic thinking with a competitive edge, setting the standard for player-managers of his time.

Clarke retired with over 1,600 career wins as a manager and was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1945.

Clarke's Awards and Records

  • World Series champion (1909)
  • Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame
  • Hall of Fame Inductee (1945, by the Veterans Committee)
  • World Series Champion (1909, as player-manager)
  • 4× National League Pennant Winner (1901, 1902, 1903, 1909)
  • Over 1,600 career managerial wins (1,602–1,181 record)
  • One of the first successful player-managers in MLB history
  • Lifetime batting average of .312, ranking among the best of his era

MLB Records

  • First player-manager to win a World Series
  • Among the first to combine a managerial career of over 1,600 wins with a playing career of 2,000+ hits
  • Fourth-youngest manager in MLB history
  • One of the first players to record 500+ stolen bases and maintain a .300+ career batting average
  • Led the National League in runs scored (1898)
  • Led the National League in doubles (1901)

    MLB Teams:

    As Player
    Louisville Colonels (1894–1899)
    Pittsburgh Pirates (1900–1911, 1913–1915)

    As Manager
    Louisville Colonels (1897–1899)
    Pittsburgh Pirates (1900–1915)

    MLB Stats

    Games Played:
    2,245
    Career Batting Average:
    .312
    Home Runs:
    67
    Runs Batted In (RBI):
    1,015
    Hits:
    2,672
    Stolen Bases:
    506
    On-Base Percentage (OBP):
    .386
    Slugging Percentage:
    .429

    Managerial Stats 

    Team managed
    Louisville Colonels (1897–1899)
    Pittsburgh Pirates (1900–1915)
    Total Games Managed:
    2,826 games
    Wins
    1,602
    Losses
    1,181
    Ties
    71
    Winning Percentage:
    .576