Andy Hansen – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Andy Hansen’s baseball career ended quietly in 1953, but his nine-year run through Major League Baseball actually tells a pretty fascinating story. It’s a mix of perseverance, military service, and the tough realities of pro sports back in the 1940s and 1950s.

The right-handed pitcher from Lake Worth, Florida broke into the majors at just 19 with the New York Giants. He later played for both the Giants and the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hansen put together a 23-30 record with a 4.22 ERA over 270 games, mostly as a relief pitcher. He managed to overcome some big hurdles, including serving in World War II and stepping away from the game for family reasons. His path wasn’t typical. Interruptions that would’ve ended other players’ careers seemed to only make him more determined to get back to the game he loved.

Andy Hansen’s story gives us a glimpse into baseball during one of its most transformative times. From his quick climb through the Giants’ farm system to his final appearance on September 13, 1953, Hansen’s career mirrors the journey of so many players who formed the backbone of Major League Baseball during the war years and after.

Early Life and Background

Andrew Viggo Hansen Jr. was born on November 12, 1924, in Lake Worth, Florida. He eventually returned there to spend his last years.

Even though people called him “Swede,” Hansen actually had Danish roots. His athletic talent showed up early, especially in high school, where he stood out as a two-sport star.

Family and Childhood in Lake Worth

Hansen grew up in Lake Worth, a small Florida city he never really left. His parents, both of Danish heritage, passed down a strong work ethic that stuck with him throughout his baseball career.

His family faced some tough times during his playing days. In 1946, he chose to retire from baseball because of a family illness. That decision really shows how much his family meant to him, even when his baseball career was just starting to take off.

The Hansen family’s Danish background shaped his upbringing in Lake Worth. Despite the Scandinavian heritage, people in baseball called him “Swede”—a nickname that stuck, even if it wasn’t technically accurate.

Education and Early Sports Involvement

Hansen went to high school in Lake Worth, where he became a standout in two sports. Scouts noticed his athleticism early, and that opened the door to his pro career.

During high school, Hansen worked on the skills that made him attractive to major league teams. Playing multiple sports helped him show off his natural ability and competitive drive.

His success in high school gave him the foundation he needed for pro baseball. Coaches and teammates saw his potential, which boosted his confidence as he got ready for the next step.

Path to Professional Baseball

Hansen’s pro baseball journey started when he signed as an amateur free agent with the New York Giants before the 1943 season. At just 18, the 6’3″ righty was ready to get started.

He played his first pro season with the Bristol Twins in the class D Appalachian League. Hansen pitched in 16 games in 1943, racking up an impressive 12-3 record and throwing 115 innings.

Giants management noticed the young pitcher’s success in the minors. Hansen moved up quickly through the system, showing off the talent that got him to the big leagues at age 19 in 1944.

Major League Career Overview

Andy Hansen, known as “Swede,” spent nine seasons in Major League Baseball from 1944 to 1953. He put together a 23-30 record with a 4.22 ERA over 270 games, mainly as a relief pitcher for both the New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies in the National League.

Debut with the New York Giants

Hansen made his big league debut on June 30, 1944, at 19 with the New York Giants. He pitched 2.1 innings against Pittsburgh, giving up 5 hits and 6 earned runs in his first outing.

His rookie season had ups and downs. Hansen pitched in 23 games, finishing with a 3-3 record and a 6.49 ERA. He started 4 games and worked as a reliever, showing some flexibility.

In 1945, Hansen had his best year with the Giants. He went 4-3 with a 4.66 ERA in 23 appearances. He started 13 games and finished 4 of them, proving he could handle longer outings.

After missing the 1946 season, Hansen came back in 1947 but struggled with consistency. His best season came in 1948, when he went 5-3 with a 2.97 ERA in 36 games. That year, he was at his best in keeping runs off the board.

Hansen spent six seasons with the Giants from 1944 to 1950. He finished his New York tenure with a 15-21 record and a 4.55 ERA in 173 games.

Impact with the Philadelphia Phillies

The Philadelphia Phillies picked up Hansen for his last three seasons, from 1951 to 1953. He mostly pitched in relief, starting only one game during his time in Philadelphia.

Hansen found new life with the Phillies in 1951. He went 3-1 with a sharp 2.54 ERA in 24 games. His control got a lot better, as he walked just 7 batters over 39 innings.

In 1952, Hansen worked a lot as a reliever. He pitched in 43 games, posting a 5-6 record and a 3.26 ERA. He picked up 4 saves and finished 19 games.

His final season in 1953 included 30 appearances and a 4.03 ERA. Hansen’s last game came on September 13, 1953, against St. Louis. He faced three batters, allowed one hit, and walked two before getting pulled.

During his years in Philadelphia, Hansen went 8-9 with a 3.33 ERA. His performance, especially his ERA, improved compared to his time with the Giants.

Notable Achievements and Milestones

Hansen’s career stats show he filled the role of a reliable middle reliever. He collected 16 saves over his nine-year career, with his best save numbers coming in 1945 and 1950.

His most impressive season statistically was 1948 with the Giants. Hansen’s 2.97 ERA was among his best, and his 1.9 WAR was his highest for a single season.

Key Career Numbers:

• Games: 270
• Wins: 23
• Losses: 30
• ERA: 4.22
• Saves: 16
• Innings Pitched: 618.2

Hansen also fielded his position well. He posted a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in several seasons, including 1944, 1945, 1947, and 1948.

He shifted from starter to reliever, and that change worked out. Hansen started 39 games in his career but found more success in shorter outings, especially with the Phillies.

The 1953 Final Season

Andy Hansen’s last year in the majors, 1953, marked the end of a decade-long career that started with a lot of promise but finished with struggles on the mound. The Phillies pitcher didn’t win a game in his 30 appearances, and his stats showed his time in pro baseball was winding down.

Game-by-Game Performance in 1953

Hansen pitched in 30 games for the Phillies in 1953. He worked only as a reliever after having started some games with the Giants earlier in his career.

His performance clearly slipped. Hansen posted a 4.29 ERA in 21 innings at home and 3.89 in 30.1 innings on the road.

The numbers tell the story:

• Home games: 14 appearances, 19 hits allowed, 10 earned runs
• Road games: 16 appearances, 41 hits allowed, 13 earned runs
• Total walks: 24 (9 at home, 15 on the road)
• Home runs allowed: 6 total (4 at home, 2 away)

Hansen’s last big league appearance happened on September 13, 1953, against the St. Louis Cardinals. He didn’t record an out, gave up one hit, walked two, and allowed two earned runs.

Role and Contributions to the Phillies

The Phillies picked up Hansen through the Rule 5 draft after the 1950 season. He joined the team during the 1951 campaign after a short stint with the Baltimore Orioles in the International League.

Hansen worked as a bullpen specialist for the Phillies. He focused on middle relief and sometimes pitched in late-game spots.

The 1953 season was a big drop-off from the year before. In 1952, Hansen tied his career high with five wins. In 1953, he went winless in 30 games, which stood out in the wrong way.

His struggles show the challenges relief pitchers faced back then. The closer role hadn’t really developed yet, so relievers often worked in all sorts of situations, sometimes without clear roles.

Transition Toward Retirement

Hansen’s rough 1953 season basically ended his Major League career. At 28, he chose to step away from pro baseball after almost a decade in the big leagues.

After his final MLB season, Hansen tried a short comeback with the Hollywood Stars in the minors. That attempt didn’t pan out, and he decided to retire for good.

He began a new chapter, starting a 31-year career with the United States Postal Service. Hansen found stability and success away from the ballpark.

He retired as part of a wave of National League players who finished their careers in 1953. His career record ended up at 23 wins and 30 losses over 271 games with the Giants and Phillies.

Military Service and Hiatus

Andy Hansen’s baseball career hit a major pause when he stepped away from the game in 1946 because of a family illness, then served in the United States Army. This military service created a gap in his playing career that definitely affected his trajectory.

Service in the United States Army

Hansen made the tough call to leave baseball temporarily in 1946 while with the Giants. He needed to be there for his family during a crisis.

After handling family matters, Hansen enlisted in the Army. Like a lot of athletes from his era, he answered the call to serve—even if it meant putting his career on hold.

His Army service meant he missed the entire 1947 season in the majors. That absence came right in what should have been prime years for him, especially since he’d already proven himself as a reliable arm for the Giants.

Hansen’s willingness to serve showed his commitment to his country, even though it cost him valuable time in baseball. Plenty of players in those years faced the same tough choice between military service and sports.

Impact of Military Duty on Career

Hansen came back to baseball in 1947 after finishing his military service. He bounced back in 1948, notching a career-best five wins and showing he kept his pitching sharp during his time away.

The year off probably cost Hansen some development and game experience. Pro athletes usually need steady playing time to stay sharp and keep improving.

Even with the interruption, Hansen showed real resilience by getting back in form pretty quickly. His 1948 season was one of his best, maybe because the military gave him a little extra maturity and focus.

The gap in his career meant he had fewer total seasons in the majors. Hansen’s nine-year career included that significant break, which likely affected his career numbers and earnings, especially since player salaries back then weren’t exactly generous.

Post-Retirement Life

After leaving professional baseball in 1953, Andy Hansen settled into a steady job with the United States Postal Service. He built a quiet life, far from the spotlight of Major League Baseball.

Careers After Baseball

Hansen made a big career change after his short run with the minor-league Hollywood Stars in 1954.

He started working for the United States Postal Service, and he stuck with that job for the next 31 years.

Back then, a lot of former players made this same switch from sports to government work. The Postal Service offered steady pay and good benefits, which probably sounded pretty appealing after the uncertainty of pro baseball.

Hansen worked at the post office from around 1954 until he retired in the mid-1980s.

That job gave him a reliable income and let him serve his community in a whole new way.

Personal Life and Legacy

After baseball, Hansen kept his life fairly private.

He was born in Lake Worth, Florida on November 12, 1924, and he stayed connected to Florida over the years.

Hansen passed away on February 2, 2002, when he was 77.

His life bridged the worlds of professional sports and public service.

Hansen’s baseball legacy includes a nine-season stretch with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies.

He wrapped up his career with a 23-30 record and a 4.22 ERA in 270 games, mostly working as a relief pitcher during his years in the majors.

Legacy and Recognition

Andy Hansen played nine seasons in Major League Baseball, and while his impact wasn’t headline-grabbing, he definitely made his mark with both the New York Giants and Philadelphia Phillies.

His stats show the work of a dependable pitcher who handled his share of innings for two National League teams in the late ’40s and early ’50s.

Statistical Highlights and Records

Hansen put together a 23-30 win-loss record and a 4.22 ERA over 270 Major League games.

His best season came in 1948, when he logged 100 innings in 36 games for the Giants.

He picked up his highest win totals—five each in 1948 and 1952.

Hansen’s debut happened when he was just 19. He became the 9,741st player in Major League history when he pitched against Pittsburgh on June 30, 1944.

His career ran from 1944 to 1953, with some breaks for military service and family obligations.

Hansen made his last MLB appearance on September 13, 1953, against St. Louis, and that outing didn’t go as smoothly as he’d hoped.

Impact on the National League and Teams

Hansen pitched for the New York Giants from 1944 to 1950. He added depth to their staff during the post-war years, a time when teams scrambled to rebuild.

After the 1950 season, the Philadelphia Phillies picked Hansen in the Rule 5 draft. Clearly, National League clubs saw something in him.

The Phillies mostly used Hansen out of the bullpen between 1951 and 1953. Those years, Philadelphia fought hard in a tough National League.

World War II took Hansen away from baseball for a while, like so many others. When he came back in 1947, he helped the Giants piece together a new pitching rotation.