Karl Olson

Karl Arthur Olson
(Ole)

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 3", Weight 205 lb.
• High School Tamalpais High School
• Debut June 30, 1951
• Final Game June 10, 1957
• Born July 6, 1930 in Ross, CA USA
• Died December 25, 2010 in Reno, NV USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Outfielder Karl Olson played six seasons of major league ball.

The son of Swedish immigrants, Olson signed with the Boston Red Sox in 1948 after graduating from high school. He reached the majors with the club briefly in 1951 before serving in Japan during the Korean War. Following his military service, he returned to the Red Sox in 1953. He was traded to the Washington Senators following the 1955 campaign, and was the Opening Day centerfielder for the Senators in 1956. In that season's first game, he clubbed a pair of home runs, and he had a .404 average at the end of April. He ended the year hitting .246 with 4 homers. Dealt to the Detroit Tigers the next year, his playing career ended after the 1957 season.

Olson hit into two triple plays in 279 career games and 681 at bats, making him the fastest player to two triple plays in history. Ollie Beard hit two in 331 career games and Chubby Dean hit two in 1047 at bats.

Source: SABR Triple Plays and original research.

Related Sites

• Karl Olson at the SABR Bio Project