Paul Waner
Inducted:
1952
Player Details
Born:
April 16, 1903
Harrah, Oklahoma, U.S.
Died:
August 29, 1965
Sarasota, Florida, U.S.
Position:
Right fielder
College:
East Central State Teachers College
Paul Waner (April 16, 1903 – August 29, 1965), nicknamed “Big Poison,” was one of baseball’s most prolific contact hitters. Spending 15 seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and later with Brooklyn, Boston, and New York, Waner hit .333 over a 20-year career. He earned NL MVP honors in 1927 after recording 237 hits, 131 RBIs, and a .380 average, leading the Pirates to the World Series.
A three-time NL batting champion and four-time All-Star, he racked up eight seasons with 200+ hits and led the league in doubles, triples, hits, RBIs, runs scored, and total bases multiple times. Waner joined the 3,000-hit club in 1942. Known for his sweet swing, strong arm in right field, and baseball intelligence, he retired with 3,152 hits, 605 doubles, 191 triples, and 1,309 RBIs. Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1952, his No. 11 was retired by the Pirates in 2007.
Waner's Awards and Records
- 4× All-Star (1933–1935, 1937)
- NL MVP (1927)
- 3× NL batting champion (1927, 1934, 1936)
- NL RBI leader (1927)
- Pittsburgh Pirates No. 11 retired
- Pittsburgh Pirates Hall of Fame
MLB Records
- 3,152 career hits – 18th all-time as of 2024
- 8 seasons with 200+ hits – Among most in MLB history
- One of only two brothers (with Lloyd Waner) to each record 2,000+ hits
- Career .333 batting average – Top 40 all-time
- Ranked 10th all-time in triples – 191 career triples
- One of only 5 players in MLB history with 600+ doubles and 190+ triples
MLB Teams
Pittsburgh Pirates (1926–1940)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1941)
Boston Braves (1941–1942)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1943–1944)
New York Yankees (1944–1945)
Number Worn:
11
MLB Stats
Games Played
2,549
Batting Average
.333
Hits
3,152
Doubles
605
Triples
191
Home Runs
113
Runs Scored
1,627
RBI
1,309
Stolen Bases
104
On‑Base %
.404
OPS
.877
200‑Hit Seasons
8