Don Wert played all but one of his nine-year career with the Detroit Tigers. It was his last year with the Washington Senators that put the nail into the coffin of his career, though.
In 40 at-bats, “Coyote” Wert batted .050 with just one single and one double. He walked four times, was hit by a pitch and grounded into two double plays.
| Split | G | GS | PA | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 Totals | 20 | 7 | 46 | 40 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 10 | .050 | .156 | .075 |
Don Wert’s 1971 card gets hit numbers 6-8-8-9. He’ll have a tough time against Grade A pitchers.
As expected, he gets a 15-42 for his HBP and four 24s for his two GIDP. The most surprising thing about Wert’s ‘71 card is that he only gets two 14s for four walks in 46 plate appearances.
Ugly numbers: 44-39, 55-14, 25-13
Wert certainly wasn’t always a dud though. As a third baseman for the Tigers, he was a pretty solid player placing in the MVP balloting in 1965 and getting placed on the 1968 AL All-Star team. He hit 100+ hits in five years straight for Detroit.
Interestingly. Don Wert attended the Franklin and Marshall College in Lancaster, PA
Thanks to Mel for suggesting this one!
Wert’s hits came in his first (single off Dick Ellsworth, ERA 4.91) and eighth (double off Tommy John, ERA 3.61) at-bats. Then he closed out his career 0 for his last 32.
But he won a World Series ring with the Tigers in 1968. Good for him.
Hi Joe,
I knew there was some significance to Wert’s 71 season. It was the 0 for 32 streak.
But yeah, he has the ring. Many HOFers can’t say that.