Don Lang (third baseman)
Encyclopedia
Donald Charles Lang (March 15, 1915 – September 1, 2010) was a third baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played for the Cincinnati Reds
(1938) and St. Louis Cardinals
(1948). Born in Selma, California
, he batted and threw right-handed.
Listed at 6' 0", 175 lb., Lang had a 12-season baseball career between 1936 and 1950 which was interrupted by serving to his country during World War II
(Pacific, 1943–45), while property of the Boston Red Sox
. He played 10 seasons in the minors
, including nine of Triple-A ball, and two in major league ten years apart.
Lang entered in the majors in 1938, appearing in 25 games with the Cincinnati Reds. In 1948 he became the everyday third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals due to a career-ending injury to incumbent Whitey Kurowski
.
In 138 major league games, Lang posted a .268 batting average
(100-for-373) with five home run
s and 42 RBI
, including 35 runs
, 17 doubles
, two triples
and a .355 on-base percentage.
Lang was recognized as one of the oldest living major league players before his death.
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
who played for the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
(1938) and St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
(1948). Born in Selma, California
Selma, California
Selma is a city in Fresno County, California. The population was 23,219 at the 2010 census, up from 19,240 at the 2000 census. Selma is located southeast of Fresno, at an elevation of 308 feet .-Geography:...
, he batted and threw right-handed.
Listed at 6' 0", 175 lb., Lang had a 12-season baseball career between 1936 and 1950 which was interrupted by serving to his country during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
(Pacific, 1943–45), while property of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. He played 10 seasons in the minors
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
, including nine of Triple-A ball, and two in major league ten years apart.
Lang entered in the majors in 1938, appearing in 25 games with the Cincinnati Reds. In 1948 he became the everyday third baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals due to a career-ending injury to incumbent Whitey Kurowski
Whitey Kurowski
George John Kurowski was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the St. Louis Cardinals . Kurowski batted and threw right-handed. He debuted on September 23, 1941, and played his final game on October 1, 1949...
.
In 138 major league games, Lang posted a .268 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
(100-for-373) with five home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 42 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, including 35 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
, 17 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, two triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
and a .355 on-base percentage.
Lang was recognized as one of the oldest living major league players before his death.