| Granny Hamner | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Shortstop /Second baseman | |
| Born:(1927-04-26)April 26, 1927 Richmond, Virginia, U.S. | |
| Died: September 12, 1993(1993-09-12) (aged 66) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 14, 1944, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 1, 1962, for the Kansas City Athletics | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .262 |
| Home runs | 104 |
| Runs batted in | 708 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Granville Wilbur "Granny"Hamner (April 26, 1927 – September 12, 1993) was an American professionalbaseballshortstop andsecond baseman inMajor League Baseball (MLB). Hamner was one of the key players on the"Whiz Kids", the1950National League (NL) championPhiladelphia Phillies.
Hamner was born inRichmond, Virginia and graduated fromBenedictine High School. His brotherGarvin was also an infielder in the big leagues. "Granny" spent15+1⁄2 years with the Phillies, having come to the club as a 17-year-old during World War II. In 1945, still seventeen, he became the youngest player ever to start an Opening Day game, a record that still stands as of 2022.[1] By the Phillies' 1950 NL pennant season, he was one of the team leaders, age 23. A right-handed hitting shortstop with moderate power, Hamner compiled more than 80runs batted in (RBI) four times.
In the1950 World Series, a four-gameNew York Yankees sweep dominated by Yankee pitchers, Hamnerbatted .429 (6 for 14) with three extra-base hits. In March 1952,managerEddie Sawyer named Hamnerteam captain of the Phillies.[2]
An All-Star three years in a row, Hamner was the National League's starting shortstop in the1952 All-Star Game, played on his home field,Shibe Park, in Philadelphia. The game was called off after five innings due to rain.
On May 16,1959, Hamner was traded to theCleveland Indians, but he batted only .164 for the remainder of the campaign. Hamner then became aKansas City Athletics’Minor League Baseball (MiLB), manager, reappearing briefly with the A's as apitcher during the 1962 season. (He had begun dabbling on the mound for the 1956-57 Phillies).[3] But the change did not prolong Hamner's playing career. He briefly managed in the Phils'farm system in the 1970s and 1980s.
In 17 major league seasons, Hamner compiled a .262 batting average with 104home runs. As a pitcher, he was winless with two losses, with anearned run average (ERA) of 5.40, in seven games, and13+1⁄3innings pitched.[4]
In 1980, Hamner was one of several drivers who were able to stop their vehicles on theSunshine Skyway Bridge inFlorida before reaching the gap in the roadway caused by the collapse of a span after thefreighterMVSummit Venture collided with the bridge.[5]
In 1981, Hamner was inducted into theVirginia Sports Hall of Fame.
On September 12, 1993, Hamner died of aheart attack at age 66 inPhiladelphia.[6]
DeLuca, Duke (April 18, 1972)."Off the Cuff".Reading Eagle. p. 30.
Kaplan, Mathew (April 8, 2018)."Granny Hamner: More Than Baseball".
Members of thePhiladelphia Phillies Wall of Fame | ||
|---|---|---|
| Inducted as Phillies |
|  |
| Inducted as Athletics | ||
