Del Ennis – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Del Ennis put together a remarkable 14-season run in Major League Baseball. He really became one of the most reliable power hitters of his generation before stepping away from the game in 1959.

He grew up in Philadelphia, and eventually, Ennis became the beating heart of the Phillies lineup for over a decade. Fans watched him deliver clutch performances that helped shape baseball in the 1940s and 1950s.

From 1948 through 1957, Ennis drove in 1,075 runs, ranking second only to Stan Musial during that span. He kept his batting average above .280 and averaged 25 home runs per season. Pitchers across the National League genuinely feared him, especially with legends like Ted Williams, Willie Mays, and Mickey Mantle sharing the field.

Let’s take a look at Ennis’s journey, from his days at Philadelphia’s Olney High School to his rise in the major leagues. His peak years with the Phillies, his stints with other teams, and the numbers that set him apart all deserve some attention.

He faced challenges, especially from his own hometown fans, but his impact on baseball history still lingers.

Early Life and Path to the Majors

Del Ennis was born on June 8, 1925, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He always had deep roots in the city he’d later represent as a pro.

His route from local high school standout to big league player also included military service during World War II. That delayed his baseball dreams, but it didn’t stop them.

Childhood in Philadelphia

Delmer Ennis spent his childhood in North Philadelphia. His dad, George Ennis, managed the straw-hat division at Stetson Hats.

Del started loving sports at a young age. His father played a huge part in his baseball story.

When Phillies scout Jocko Collins wanted to sign Del, the young player hesitated, insisting he wasn’t good enough for professional baseball. George Ennis stepped in and signed the contract for him, sending it back to the Phillies.

That family support really got Del’s career going. Growing up in a working-class Philly neighborhood shaped his character and work ethic.

Olney High School Athletic Achievements

Ennis went to Olney High School and stood out in several sports. He earned all-state honors as a fullback on the football team, showing off his athletic range.

But his baseball skills really started turning heads in 1942. Phillies scout Jocko Collins hopped on a 15-cent trolley from Shibe Park to check out a pitcher named Dick McTough at Olney.

Instead, Collins watched Ennis smash three home runs and a bases-loaded double in a single game. Two of those blasts landed on the tennis courts, a preview of the power he’d bring to the pros.

Collins immediately forgot about the pitcher and focused on Ennis. At Olney, Del played outfield, first base, and catcher, showing the kind of defensive flexibility scouts love.

Military Service During World War II

The Phillies sent Ennis to their Class-B Trenton team in 1943. He hit .346 with 18 home runs and 93 RBIs that season.

After that strong debut, the 18-year-old enlisted in the United States Navy. He served in the South Pacific and spent time stationed on Guam as a warrant officer.

He didn’t really enjoy his time on Guam, but it gave him unexpected chances to play baseball. Ennis played alongside major leaguers like Schoolboy Rowe, Johnny Vander Meer, and Billy Herman.

Word spread about “a kid on Guam who was hitting vicious line drives.” Phillies general manager Herb Pennock got trade offers for his “navy kid,” but he turned them all down.

Ennis got his military discharge in April 1946 and jumped right back into professional baseball after nearly three years away.

MLB Debut and Philadelphia Phillies Years

Del Ennis made his big league debut on April 28, 1946, with the Philadelphia Phillies at just 20 years old. He became the cornerstone of the famous “Whiz Kids” team that won the 1950 National League pennant.

He established himself as one of the league’s top run producers through the 1940s and 1950s.

Rookie Season and Immediate Impact

Ennis broke into the majors in 1946, right after his Navy discharge. The Phillies had planned to send him back to the minors, but his veteran status let him stay with the big club.

Manager Ben Chapman put him in left field during the team’s first trip out west. Ennis made a quick impression at Wrigley Field, blasting two home runs, including one off Cubs ace Claude Passeau.

His hot start earned him a spot on the 1946 All-Star team. Ennis finished his rookie year batting .313, with 17 home runs and 73 RBIs.

The Sporting News named him Rookie of the Year. He also placed eighth in the National League MVP voting, which is pretty remarkable for a rookie.

Role With the Whiz Kids

The “Whiz Kids” were a young Phillies squad that won the franchise’s first National League pennant in 35 years, back in 1950. At 25, Ennis was their main power threat.

The roster included Robin Roberts, Curt Simmons, Richie Ashburn, and Willie Jones, all under 25. Ennis brought the offense that this fresh-faced group needed.

His best stretch came in July 1950, when he drove in 38 runs in a single month. That surge pushed the Phillies into first place and kept them there for the pennant race.

Ennis led the National League with 126 RBIs in 1950. He also hit .311 with 31 home runs and finished fourth in MVP voting, right behind his teammate Jim Konstanty.

Relationship With Teammates

Ennis built strong friendships with his fellow Whiz Kids, especially pitcher Robin Roberts. Roberts later praised Ennis’s defense, even though fans and media sometimes criticized his fielding.

Roberts remembered Ennis making a wild barehanded catch on a Jackie Robinson hit while off-balance in right field. Robinson actually ran out to ask how he’d pulled it off so smoothly.

Richie Ashburn saw Ennis’s defensive skills up close, too. He described Del making another barehanded catch “like picking an apple off a tree” and not even reacting afterward.

The teammates really had each other’s backs. When Philadelphia fans booed Ennis during his 1951 slump, his fellow players stood by him.

Legacy at Connie Mack Stadium

Ennis spent 11 seasons in the outfield at Connie Mack Stadium (formerly Shibe Park). As a Philly native, he became one of the ballpark’s most familiar faces.

Radio announcers called him “Ding Dong Del” or “Ennis the Menace” as he stepped up to hit. Fans could picture his habit of raising the bat over his head to stretch before each at-bat.

One of his most memorable moments happened during a game against the Dodgers. He dropped a fly ball in the seventh, letting three runs score, and the crowd booed him relentlessly.

He answered back with a home run in the eighth that landed on the roof. From 1948 through 1957, Ennis drove in 1,075 runs, second only to Stan Musial’s 1,120 in that stretch.

He averaged over 23 home runs and 100 RBIs per season during his best years with the Phillies.

Peak Performance and Career Achievements

Del Ennis earned his spot as one of baseball’s most steady power hitters over his 14-year career. His best years, from 1948 to 1957, saw him drive in 1,075 runs—just behind Stan Musial’s 1,120.

All-Star Appearances

Ennis made the All-Star team for the first time in 1946, as a rookie with the Phillies. He made an immediate impact, hitting .313 with 17 home runs and 73 RBIs that season.

He impressed everyone on his first trip west with the Phillies, hitting two home runs at Wrigley Field, including one off Cubs ace Claude Passeau.

That rookie performance got him The Sporting News Rookie of the Year award. He finished eighth in National League MVP voting that year.

Home Run and RBI Accomplishments

Ennis became a top run producer after getting past a sophomore slump in 1947. By 1948, he hit 30 home runs and drove in 95 runs.

His 1950 season was his best for RBI production. Ennis led the National League with 126 RBIs and helped the Phillies win their first pennant in 35 years.

From 1953 to 1955, he piled up 364 RBIs, second only to Duke Snider’s 392. He put together four straight seasons with 20-plus home runs and 100-plus RBIs from 1952 to 1955.

In total, he finished his career with 288 home runs and 1,284 RBIs over 1,903 games.

Batting Average and Hitting Consistency

Ennis kept up impressive consistency at the plate during his prime. He posted a career .284 batting average and collected 2,063 hits in 14 seasons.

In 1950, his batting average hit .311, ranking fourth in the National League. That, plus his league-leading RBI total, put him fourth in MVP voting.

He built a reputation as a consistent contact hitter, year after year. Most of his prime seasons saw him above .280, and he averaged 25 home runs a year from 1948 through 1957.

Standout Seasons

The 1950 season was Ennis’s career year and the Phillies’ big breakthrough. With 126 RBIs, he led the league, ranked fifth in home runs with 31, and fourth in batting average at .311.

He earned $30,000 that season—the highest salary ever paid to a Phillies player at the time. He managed to hit home runs in four straight games twice during that pennant run.

One of his most memorable performances came in 1955. On his son’s birthday, Ennis blasted three home runs in the first, sixth, and seventh innings against the Cardinals, driving in all seven runs in a 7-2 win.

His 1957 season with the Cardinals was his last strong campaign. At 32, he batted .286 with 24 home runs and 105 RBIs before his numbers started to dip.

World Series and Notable Playoff Moments

Del Ennis had his biggest postseason moment in 1950 when the Phillies clinched their first National League pennant in 35 years. His performance in the pennant race and the World Series put his skills on display at the game’s highest level.

1950 National League Pennant Chase

Ennis played a huge part in Philadelphia’s dramatic pennant victory in 1950. He led the National League with 126 RBIs that year, giving the “Whiz Kids” the offensive power they needed.

The pennant race went right down to the last day of the season. The Phillies had to beat the Brooklyn Dodgers to clinch their first flag since 1915.

Ennis kept hitting during the final stretch. His power numbers helped Philadelphia hold off their rivals in a tight race.

That season marked a turning point for the Phillies franchise. Ennis had already become the first Phillies rookie to make the All-Star team, and now he was a leader during this historic season.

World Series Highlights

The 1950 World Series put Philadelphia up against the New York Yankees. The Yankees swept the series in four games.

Ennis had a rough time at the plate, managing just .143 with 2 hits in 14 at-bats. Even so, he held his own in right field, making 9 putouts and not committing a single error. That gave him a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage.

This series was the high point of Ennis’s postseason career. He never got back to the World Series in his 14 years in the majors.

Key Postseason Contributions

Ennis made his biggest postseason impact through his regular season play, which helped Philadelphia clinch the pennant. He led the league in RBIs and gave the team a steady offensive boost.

When the pressure mounted in September, Ennis kept delivering. The Phillies leaned on his power and experience.

His World Series numbers might not impress, but he played a huge part in bringing Philadelphia its first pennant in over thirty years. Those 126 RBIs? They really powered the Phillies’ championship run.

Ennis only played in October once. He stuck with Philadelphia until 1956, then wrapped up his career elsewhere.

Later MLB Career and Other Teams

After 11 seasons as the Phillies’ slugging outfielder, Del Ennis spent his last three years with three different teams. He joined the St. Louis Cardinals in 1957, then had short runs with the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox before retiring in 1959.

Seasons With St. Louis Cardinals

The Phillies traded Ennis to the Cardinals after 1956, picking up Rip Repulski and Bobby Morgan in return. Philly fans had treated Ennis pretty harshly, even though he kept producing year after year.

In St. Louis, Ennis seemed to get a second wind in 1957. He hit .286, knocked out 24 homers, and drove in 105 runs. Not bad at all for a 32-year-old. He roomed with Stan Musial, who turned into both a mentor and a friend. Musial even advised Ennis to invest in bowling alleys, which paid off after baseball.

That 1957 season ended up being Ennis’s last big year in the majors. When he left Philadelphia, the Phillies couldn’t really fill the gap in their lineup until Mike Schmidt came along much later.

Short Stints With Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox

Ennis’s 1958 with the Cardinals didn’t go well. He hit only three home runs in 329 at-bats. On top of that, his wife suffered a nervous breakdown, which made things even tougher.

The Cardinals sent him to the Reds in October 1958. Ennis didn’t exactly look forward to reuniting with manager Mayo Smith, who’d managed him in Philadelphia.

Ennis actually called it his “best spring ever,” hitting 12 home runs and driving in 30 runs during spring training. But Smith put him in a platoon, and Ennis got just 12 at-bats before getting shipped off to the Chicago White Sox on May 1, 1959.

Final Major League Games

Ennis wrapped up his big league playing days with the White Sox in 1959. He played 26 games that season, batting .219 with 2 home runs and 7 RBIs.

The White Sox released him on June 20, 1959. Ennis was ready to head home to Philadelphia, his family, and his bowling alley.

Over his career, Ennis put up a .284 average, 288 home runs, and 1,284 RBIs in 1,903 games. He never really wanted to play anywhere but Philadelphia, so those last few years felt bittersweet, even with a few good moments.

Retirement, Legacy, and Recognition

Del Ennis stepped away from baseball in 1959 after the White Sox let him go. His mark on Philadelphia baseball and his later business success gave him a legacy that lasted long after he hung up his spikes.

Induction Into Phillies Wall of Fame

The Phillies honored Del Ennis by adding him to their Wall of Fame. As a key part of the 1950 Whiz Kids, Ennis earned his spot with his big bat over 11 seasons.

His numbers with the Phillies say it all. Ennis racked up 2,063 hits and a .284 average over 14 years. From 1948 to 1957, he drove in 1,075 runs—second only to Stan Musial during that stretch.

The 1950 season really stood out. Ennis led the league with 126 RBIs, batted .311, and hit 31 home runs. That performance helped the Phillies win their first pennant in 35 years.

Fans in Philadelphia gave him a rough time during his last seasons there. But when he came back as a visiting player, the crowd gave him a standing ovation. That moment showed just how much fans eventually appreciated his years with the Phillies.

Post-Baseball Life and Community Involvement

After baseball, Ennis moved into business. Following Musial’s advice, he opened Del Ennis Lanes in Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania in 1958. He ran the bowling alley with John R. Wise, the former Phillies traveling secretary, until about 1993.

The bowling alley turned into a favorite hangout in the Philadelphia suburbs. Ennis stayed connected to his community through his business.

He also got into greyhound racing, raising and racing dogs named after his old Whiz Kids teammates. Names like Granny, Richie, Bubba, and Puddin’ Head paid tribute to guys like Granny Hamner and Willie “Puddin’ Head” Jones.

Ennis took part in baseball fantasy camps with Robin Roberts too. These “Dream Team” events let amateur players hang out with former big leaguers, swap stories, and learn a thing or two about the game.

Commemorations and Posthumous Honors

People still talk about Del Ennis as one of baseball’s true statistical marvels from the 1940s and 1950s. He racked up 1,284 career RBIs, which put him near the top for his era—only Stan Musial had more between 1946 and 1959.

Ennis actually won The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award in 1946. That season, he hit .313 and ranked in the National League’s top five for several offensive stats.

You might hear baseball historians call him the “original Whiz Kid.” He anchored Philadelphia’s 1950 championship squad. In July of that year, Ennis drove in 38 runs, which pushed the Phillies into first place during their pennant race.

Ennis passed away on February 8, 1996, at his home in Huntingdon Valley. He had six children, including his son David, who played baseball at the University of Delaware and later became a lawyer in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania.

These days, modern baseball analysts put Ennis up there with the best offensive players of his time. They often compare his numbers to stars like Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays, and Duke Snider.