Ernie Padgett

Ernest Kitchen Padgett
(Red)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 8", Weight 155 lb.

• Debut October 3, 1923
• Final Game July 30, 1927
• Born March 1, 1899 in Philadelphia, PA USA
• Died April 15, 1957 in East Orange, NJ USA

BR page

Biographical Information

"Padgett . . . (completed) the fourth unassisted major-league triple play of the twentieth century." - from a SABR article titled "October 6, 1923: Ernie Padgett's Unassisted Triple Play" [1]

Ernie Padgett was the starting third baseman for the Boston Braves in 1924, and had a five year major league career.

He broke in for 5 games with the 1923 Boston Braves, when the regular third baseman was Tony Boeckel. Even in his brief time with the team in 1923, he managed to pull off an unassisted triple play.

Tony Boeckel died in an auto accident in February 1924, and Padgett took over the job during the 1924 season. The Braves lost 100 games in both 1923 and in 1924. Padgett hit .255 in 1924, on a team that hit .256, in a league that hit .283. Padgett's fielding percentage at third base was above average, but his range factor was a bit low.

In 1925, Padgett played more second base and shortstop, while appearing in hardly any games at third base. He hit .305 in 256 at-bats. The regular second baseman, young Doc Gautreau, hit .262. Gautreau had much better range than Padgett, though.

Padgett was sold to the Cleveland Indians after the 1925 season, and spent the rest of his career, two years, with them. He had only 69 at-bats between the two seasons.