Lloyd Waner
Inducted:
1967
Player Details
5-9, 150lb (175cm, 68kg)
Born:
March 16, 1906
Harrah, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died:
July 22, 1982
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, U.S.
Position:
Center fielder
College:
East Central University
Lloyd Waner, nicknamed "Little Poison," was a contact-hitting machine and standout center fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1920s and 1930s. Despite his small stature at 5'9", Waner made a big impact with his bat and glove. He debuted in 1927 and immediately made his mark, collecting 223 hits and batting .355 as a rookie. Over an 18-year career, mostly with Pittsburgh, he totaled over 2,400 hits and was known for his speed, consistency, and ability to get on base.
He and his brother Paul Waner—“Big Poison”—formed one of the most successful sibling duos in MLB history. Lloyd led the National League in runs scored in 1927 and struck out just 173 times in over 7,700 plate appearances. His exceptional contact skills and defensive play earned him a place in the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1967, celebrating a career built on precision and grit.
Waner's Awards and Records
- National League runs leader (1927)
- Career strikeout rate: 1 K per 45 plate appearances
- Teamed with brother Paul Waner for over 5,600 combined hits
- 1938 All-Star selection
- Member of Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame
MLB Records
- Formed MLB’s most productive sibling duo with Paul Waner
- Over 2,400 career hits despite missing significant time during several seasons
- Led NL in runs scored in 1927
- Career .316 batting average across 18 seasons
- Struck out just 173 times in 7,772 plate appearances
MLB Teams:
Pittsburgh Pirates (1927–1941)
Boston Braves (1941)
Cincinnati Reds (1941)
Philadelphia Phillies (1942)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1944)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1944–1945)
MLB Stats
Seasons:
1927–1945
Games Played:
1,993
Hits:
2,459
Batting Average:
.316
Runs Scored:
1,201
RBI:
598
Stolen Bases:
67
Strikeouts:
173