Eddie Lake – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Edward Erving Lake, or “Sparky” to those who knew him on and off the field, managed to put together an 11-season career in Major League Baseball from 1939 to 1950. He stood just 5-foot-7, playing shortstop for the St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red Sox, and Detroit Tigers.

Lake never really became a superstar, but his patient approach at the plate and reliable defense made him a solid utility player during baseball’s wartime era.

Lake wrapped up his MLB career in 1950 with the Detroit Tigers, ending more than a decade in pro baseball that started back in the minors in 1937. He finished with a .231 career batting average, but his knack for drawing walks gave him a .366 on-base percentage—way better than the average fan might expect from his hitting numbers.

His baseball journey took him from small-town California to the big leagues. Over his career, he played in 835 games.

Lake’s story is really about the challenges and odd opportunities of 1940s baseball. The war years shook up team rosters, and that gave players like Lake their shot.

He started out resisting a Cardinals assignment and later found himself pitching in emergencies for the Red Sox. Lake made the most of what he had, leaning on determination and smarts more than raw talent.

Early Life and Background

Edward Erving Lake grew up in a working-class California family. He got his start in professional baseball after showing off his athletic skills in Oakland schools, playing multiple sports before a Cardinals scout noticed him.

Birth and Family Origins

Lake was born March 18, 1916, in Antioch, California, to William and Amelia (Acosta) Lake. Both parents hailed from California. Eddie once called himself “a funny mixture of nationalities”—Spanish, Irish, and English.

The Lake family had four kids: Grace, Lyle, Edward, and Leabella. William worked as a pipe fitter at a steel plant while they lived in Pittsburg, Contra Costa County, according to the 1920 census.

By 1930, things had changed. William was gone, and Amelia ran the household. She took in ironing at a laundry to support the kids during the Great Depression.

Introduction to Baseball

Eddie Lake attended Cole School, Elmhurst Junior High, and Castlemont High in Oakland. At Castlemont, he played baseball, football, and track, pitching and playing the outfield for the baseball team.

Even with his athleticism, Lake originally planned on becoming a cabinet maker. At 5’7” and 170 pounds, folks doubted he’d make it in pro ball.

St. Louis Cardinals scout Charley Remmers saw something others didn’t. Remmers probably first spotted Lake at a Cardinals tryout at Evans Park, Riverside, on March 2, 1937.

Amateur and Minor League Development

Remmers signed Lake as an amateur free agent before the 1937 season. He sent a wire to Branch Rickey, saying, “He’s a little guy, but think nothing of it. He’s big enough to powder that ball with the best in the organization.”

Lake started his pro career with the Grand Island Red Birds in the Class-D Nebraska State League in 1937. He played second base and batted .297 in 111 games, hitting nine home runs.

Branch Rickey decided to move Lake to the infield during that first season. Lake later said, “I liked the change from the start. Ever since I’ve been an infielder, mostly a shortstop. That’s the job I like best.”

In 1938, Lake skipped two levels to join the Decatur Commodores in the Class B Three-I League. He hit .279 in 125 games, smacked six home runs, and led the league with 112 bases on balls.

Major League Career Overview

Eddie Lake played 11 seasons in the majors from 1939 to 1950, appearing in 835 games as a shortstop for three different teams. He didn’t hit for a high average—just .231—but he drew a ton of walks and played strong defense.

Debut with St. Louis Cardinals

Lake made his MLB debut with the St. Louis Cardinals on September 26, 1939, at 23 years old. He faced the Cincinnati Reds but didn’t get an at-bat that day.

He spent three seasons with the Cardinals, from 1939 to 1941. Lake built a reputation as a reliable defensive shortstop and quickly became known for his ability to draw walks.

St. Louis gave him his first taste of MLB action. He passed rookie limits in 1941, officially ending his rookie status.

Boston Red Sox Tenure

The Boston Red Sox picked up Lake in 1943, and he played with them through 1945. Those seasons marked his best offensive contributions in the majors.

In 1945, Lake had a standout year. He led the American League with a .412 on-base percentage, showing off his knack for getting on base even when his batting average lagged.

He drew 106 walks that year, second-most in the AL. Lake also led AL shortstops in assists and double plays.

His defensive stats in 1945 were pretty wild: 265 putouts, 459 assists, and 112 double plays. His range factor of 5.57 was 63 points higher than the league average, proving he could cover ground.

Detroit Tigers Years

The Red Sox shipped Lake to the Detroit Tigers on January 3, 1946, for first baseman Rudy York. That deal worked out for both clubs.

Lake’s first year in Detroit was productive. He scored 105 runs in 1946 and drew 103 walks, ranking third in the AL for bases on balls.

In 1947, he kept up his excellent plate discipline, walking 120 times—again, third in the American League.

His time with the Tigers was his most consistent. Lake kept up his defensive reliability and chipped in solid offensive numbers thanks to patience at the plate and smart base-running.

Career Conclusion and Retirement

Lake played his last MLB game on September 30, 1950, against the Cleveland Indians. He didn’t get an at-bat in that game, either.

He finished his 11-season career with a .231 batting average, 39 home runs, and 193 RBIs in 835 games. But his .366 on-base percentage stood out—135 points higher than his average.

Defensively, Lake handled nearly 3,000 total chances and made just 155 errors, ending up with a .960 fielding percentage. He moved around the infield, playing shortstop, second, and third.

After 1950, he kept playing in the minors until 1956. But his major league days ended with Detroit.

Playing Style and Position

Eddie Lake built his name as a sharp shortstop with solid defensive abilities and a great eye at the plate. He valued patience and discipline, which made him a sneaky asset even when he wasn’t hitting for average.

Shortstop Responsibilities

Lake took on the primary shortstop role for three MLB teams. He played short for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1939-1941, the Boston Red Sox from 1943-1945, and the Detroit Tigers from 1946-1950.

Shortstop required quick reflexes and a strong arm. Lake fielded grounders between second and third and covered second base on steal attempts.

He often turned double plays with the second baseman. Lake’s positioning and communication with teammates helped keep the infield running smoothly.

Fielding Skills and Range Factor

Lake’s best defensive years came with Boston. In 1945, he led AL shortstops in assists and double plays, proving his defensive chops.

That year, he racked up 265 putouts, 459 assists, and 112 double plays. He chased down tough balls and turned them into outs.

His range factor of 5.57 was 63 points above the league average for shortstops. That stat shows how much ground a fielder covers in a game.

Lake’s consistency in the field made him a steady anchor for his teams.

Offensive Approach and Plate Discipline

Lake didn’t focus on hitting for average. Instead, he looked to draw walks. His career batting average sat at .231, but his on-base percentage climbed to .366.

He showed remarkable plate discipline, drawing over 100 walks three seasons in a row. His walk numbers included 106 in 1945, 103 in 1946, and 120 in 1947.

Lake’s .412 on-base percentage in 1945 led the American League. He reached base often, even when he wasn’t putting up big hit totals.

His patient style created chances for teammates and kept innings alive.

Batting and Offensive Achievements

Eddie Lake put together a career batting average of .231, with 39 home runs and 193 RBIs in 835 games over 11 seasons. His biggest offensive highlight was his .366 on-base percentage, which came from his knack for drawing walks.

Batting Average and On-Base Percentage

Lake’s .231 career average shows he struggled to hit for average at times. His lowest point came in 1941 with the Cardinals, when he hit just .105 in 45 games.

But 1945 with the Red Sox was his best year at the plate. He hit .279 that season, his highest single-season average, and finished 31st in MVP voting.

Drawing walks really set Lake apart. He tallied 546 career walks in 3,201 plate appearances. That .366 on-base percentage made him a valuable leadoff guy.

In 1945, he posted a .412 on-base percentage, drawing 106 walks and striking out just 37 times. His discipline made him a sneaky-good offensive threat.

Home Runs and Power Hitting

Lake hit 39 home runs in his 11-year career, with most of his power coming during his Detroit years. He never hit more than 12 in a season, reaching that mark in 1947.

His slugging percentage peaked at .410 in 1945, when he hit 11 homers and 27 doubles. Lake’s power numbers were never flashy, but he chipped in steadily.

Most of Lake’s home runs came in the American League. He hit 37 of his 39 homers with Boston and Detroit. With the Cardinals, he managed just two in three seasons.

RBI and Run Production

Lake drove in 193 runs during his career. His top single-season RBI total was 51, set in 1945.

He actually scored more runs than he drove in. Lake crossed the plate 445 times in his career, more than double his RBI total. His ability to get on base and swipe a bag or two made him valuable at the top of the lineup.

His best year for scoring runs came in 1946 with Detroit, when he tallied 108 runs. He played in 155 games that year and drew 103 walks, giving his team plenty of scoring chances.

OPS and Overall Efficiency

Lake posted a career OPS of .689, showing his value as a patient hitter who worked counts and drew walks. In 1945, he hit his peak with an OPS of .822, which put him 137th among qualified hitters that year.

His career OPS+ sat at 91, so he fell a bit below average offensively. But in 1945, he managed an OPS+ of 137, which means he was 37% better than the average hitter that season.

Lake’s offensive efficiency shifted a lot depending on the team. With Boston, he put up a .734 OPS over three seasons. Detroit saw him hit a .681 OPS, and with St. Louis, his OPS dipped to just .530.

Notable Seasons and Statistical Highlights

Eddie Lake had some standout moments, especially during his 1945 season when he stood out as one of the American League’s most disciplined hitters. He drew walks at a high rate, often ranking among league leaders in the mid-1940s.

Breakout 1945 Season

Lake’s 1945 run with the Boston Red Sox really marked the high point of his big league career. He led the American League with a .412 on-base percentage, showing off his plate discipline even though he batted just .231.

He drew 106 walks that year, ranking second in the league. That knack for working counts and getting on base was a big part of his game.

Defensively, Lake shined in 1945 as well. He led AL shortstops in both assists and double plays, racking up 459 assists and turning 112 double plays. His range factor hit 5.57, which beat the league average by 63 points and proved his value wasn’t just with the bat.

Career-Defining Moments

Lake’s best stretch came from 1945 to 1947. Drawing over 100 walks in each of those three seasons—totals of 106, 103, and 120—was no small feat.

In 1946, after Detroit traded for him in exchange for Rudy York, Lake scored 105 runs in his first Tigers season. That performance helped him settle in as a reliable leadoff guy.

The war years definitely interrupted Lake’s momentum. He missed the 1942 season while serving in the military, creating a gap between his early St. Louis days and his Boston peak.

League Rankings and Awards

Lake’s patience at the plate kept him among the American League’s leaders. His 120 walks in 1947 put him third in the AL, and his 103 walks in 1946 also landed him in third.

He finished fourth in the league in hit-by-pitch in 1946, which says a lot about his willingness to crowd the plate and take one for the team.

His career .366 on-base percentage was 135 points higher than his .231 batting average, which really highlights his unusual skill set. Only two AL players in the 1940s had more 100-walk seasons than Lake’s three.

Legacy, Personal Life, and Post-Retirement

Eddie Lake’s influence on baseball went well beyond just his stats. His personal character and post-retirement activities reflected the values of his era. Later, he got involved in international baseball work and eventually settled into a quiet retirement in California.

Contributions to Baseball

Edward Erving “Sparky” Lake left a lasting mark on pro baseball thanks to his versatility and dedication. Over 11 seasons, he played shortstop in 835 major league games.

He played for three notable teams: the St. Louis Cardinals (1939-1941), Boston Red Sox (1943-1945), and Detroit Tigers (1946-1950). Lake adapted to different team systems and always found a way to contribute.

The gap in his career from 1942 came from his World War II service, which was common for players of that era. He came back to baseball in 1943, showing real commitment to the sport.

After retiring from the majors in 1950, Lake kept playing and working in baseball through 1956. He just couldn’t stay away from the game.

Personal Life and Character

People called Eddie Lake “Sparky” during his playing days, though not much is known about his family life. He was born on March 18, 1916, and belonged to the generation that bridged baseball’s early modern era.

His dedication to the game really stood out. Even after he stopped playing, Lake kept his connection to baseball alive.

Teammates and opponents respected his professional approach. Lake’s involvement in professional baseball lasted from 1937 all the way through 1956, which is pretty remarkable.

Net Worth and Later Years

After retiring, Lake jumped into international baseball work. He really showed his passion for the game during this time.

In 1969, he ran baseball clinics for the Mexico City Reds. That must’ve been an interesting experience for both him and the players.

He went back to Mexico in 1970, this time helping Union League clubs in Queretaro. These clinics brought American baseball techniques to a new audience.

After 1970, Lake stepped away from baseball for good. He spent his last years living quietly in California.

Eddie Lake passed away on June 7, 1995, at the Baywood Nursing Facility in Castro Valley, California. He was 79, having made it nearly 25 years after leaving the world of professional baseball behind.