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21. Phil Cavarretta

21. Phil Cavarretta
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: July 19, 1916 in Chicago, IL USA
  • Weight: 175 lbs.
  • Height: 5'11"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: September 16, 1934
  • Final Game: May 08, 1955
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1945
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1945
  • Most Valuable Player - 1945
  • TSN All-Star - 1945
  • Baseball Magazine All-Star - 1946
  • MVP - 1943
  • MVP - 1944
  • MVP - 1945
  • MVP - 1946
  • MVP - 1947
  • MVP - 1948
  • MVP - 1951
 
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Phil Cavarretta debuted for the Chicago Cubs in 1934 a couple of months after his 18th birthday, and he would play there until he was released after the 1953 Season.  Cavaretta had a good 1935 season, but he would be riddled with injuries over the next few years, and it took until the 1942 season, where he had a year with 450 Plate Appearances.  Granted, World War II depleted the Major League roster, but Cavarretta was finally healthy, and he would go on the best run of his career.  Named an All-Star every year from 1943 to 1947, he would have three seasons where he batted over .300, and he would lead the NL in Hits in 1944.  Cavarretta would win the National League MVP in 1945, where he won the Batting Title and led the Cubs to the pennant where he batted .423 with an OPS of 1.115 in Chicago’s World Series loss to the Detroit Tigers.  He would have a reduced workload over the years to come, but his longevity made him a favorite of the Cubs faithful.  He would accumulate 1,927 Hits as a Chicago Cub.

Chicago selected Cavarretta for their franchise Hall of Fame in 2021, the inaugural class.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: First Base, Outfield
  • Acquired: Signed as an Amateur Free Agent before the 1934 Season.
  • Departed: Released 9/28/53.
  • Games Played: 1953
  • Notable Statistics: 968 Runs Scored
    1,927 Hits
    342 Doubles
    99 Triples
    92 Home Runs
    896 Runs Batted In
    61 Stolen Bases
    .292/.371/.416 Slash Line 
    31.0 bWAR

    17 Playoff Games
    9 Runs Scored
    20 Hits
    3 Doubles
    0 Triples
    1 Home Run
    5 Runs Batted In
    0 Stolen Bases
    .317/.358/.413 Slash Line
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    MVP (1945)
    All-Star (1944, 1945, 1946 & 1947
    Highest Batting Average (1945)
    Highest On Base Percentage (1945)
    Most Hits (1944)
    Highest Championship Win Probability Added (1945)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a First Baseman (1935)

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