Bob Elliott
Elliott might be the most overlooked MVP winner in baseball history. His 1947 National League award came during a remarkable four-year peak from 1944-1947 when he averaged .305 with 21 home runs and 113 RBI — elite production for a third baseman in that era.
Seven All-Star selections over 15 seasons tell the story of sustained excellence rather than flashy headlines. Elliott's .289 career average paired with 170 home runs made him one of the premier power-hitting third basemen of the 1940s, a position traditionally weak on offense.
The numbers reveal a player who consistently delivered when it mattered. His 1,195 career RBI reflect clutch hitting throughout the heart of his lineup, while his longevity — productive seasons spanning from 1939 to 1953 — speaks to both durability and adaptability as the game evolved around him.
Career · Batting
15 seasons| Year | Team | G | AB | HR | RBI | AVG | OPS | OPS+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1939 | PIT | 32 | 129 | 3 | 19 | .333 | — | — |
| 1940 | PIT | 148 | 551 | 5 | 64 | .292 | — | — |
| 1941 | PIT | 141 | 527 | 3 | 76 | .273 | — | — |
| 1942 | PIT | 143 | 560 | 9 | 89 | .296 | — | — |
| 1943 | PIT | 156 | 581 | 7 | 101 | .315 | — | — |
| 1944 | PIT | 143 | 538 | 10 | 108 | .297 | — | — |
| 1945 | PIT | 144 | 541 | 8 | 108 | .290 | — | — |
| 1946 | PIT | 140 | 486 | 5 | 68 | .263 | — | — |
| 1947 | BSN | 150 | 555 | 22 | 113 | .317 | — | — |
| 1948 | BSN | 151 | 540 | 23 | 100 | .283 | — | — |
| 1949 | BSN | 139 | 482 | 17 | 76 | .280 | — | — |
| 1950 | BSN | 142 | 531 | 24 | 107 | .305 | — | — |
| 1951 | BSN | 136 | 480 | 15 | 70 | .285 | — | — |
| 1952 | NY1 | 98 | 272 | 10 | 35 | .228 | — | — |
| 1953 | CWS | 115 | 368 | 9 | 61 | .255 | — | — |
| Career | 1978 | 7141 | 170 | 1195 | .289 | — | — | |
Matchups, projections, comps — grounded in Lahman, Retrosheet, and Statcast.