Granny Hamner

Granville Wilbur Hamner

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 5' 10", Weight 163 lb.
• High School John Marshall High School, Benedictine High School
• Debut September 14, 1944
• Final Game August 1, 1962
• Born April 26, 1927 in Richmond, VA USA
• Died September 12, 1993 in Philadelphia, PA USA

BR page

Biographical Information

The brother of Garvin Hamner, Granny Hamner was the first player to start the All-Star Game at two positions, shortstop in 1952 and second base in 1954. He pitched several games as a knuckleballer late in his career.

Hamner played only 2 games in 1946, missing most of the season due to military service.

He hit 17 home runs in 1952, a Phillies club record for a shortstop until Jimmy Rollins broke it in 2006. He is 4th on the Phillies all-time list for games played at shortstop (924 games) behind Larry Bowa (1970-1981), Mickey Doolan (1905-1913), and Jimmy Rollins (2000-current).

Hamner managed in the Kansas City Athletics farm system in 1961 (Portsmouth-Norfolk Tides) and 1962 (Binghamton Triplets). He then had three stints managing in the Philadelphia Phillies farm system: the Reading Phillies for the last part of 1976, after he relieved Bob Wellman; the Pulaski Phillies in 1977; and the Clearwater Phillies in 1988.

Hamner died after attending a Phillies game in 1993.

Notable Achievements

• 3-time NL All-Star (1952-1954)
• NL At Bats Leader (1949)
• NL Sacrifice Hits Leader (1952)
• 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1953)

Related Sites

• Granny Hamner at the SABR Bio Project