Hank Sauer – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Hank Sauer wrapped up his baseball career in 1959, but honestly, his influence on the sport stuck around for a long time after that. He spent 18 seasons as a pro, making his mark in the major leagues from 1941 to 1959. In 1952, Sauer snagged the National League’s Most Valuable Player award with the Chicago Cubs, smashing 37 home runs and driving in 121 runs.

His journey to baseball fame didn’t follow the usual script. Born in Pittsburgh in 1917, he didn’t really break into the majors as a regular until he was already 31. That late start just made his stats more impressive—he still managed 288 home runs and 876 RBIs during his big league career.

Cubs fans absolutely loved the guy. They’d toss him pouches of tobacco out in left field at Wrigley Field. Sauer came from a working-class Pittsburgh family, served in the military during World War II, and spent years grinding it out in the minors. This story digs into his best seasons as a power hitter, his unforgettable moments, and the mark he left on the game.

Hank Sauer’s Career Overview

Henry John Sauer put together an 18-year professional baseball career from 1941 to 1959, earning a reputation as one of the era’s most intimidating power hitters. He started life in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1917, worked up through the minors, and eventually became a National League MVP and two-time All-Star. He even retired as one of the first San Francisco Giants.

Early Life and Entry into MLB

Hank Sauer was born March 17, 1917, right in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Bellevue, a working-class suburb, and his family struggled through the Great Depression. Sauer pitched in to help out, running errands and chopping wood after his dad got sick.

After high school in 1935, he worked at a federal Civilian Conservation Corps camp. He came home in 1937, played weekend baseball, and kept working to support his family.

Yankees scout Gene McCann spotted Sauer playing third base in a sandlot game that summer. McCann got him a tryout with New York’s Butler club in the Class D Pennsylvania State Association. Sauer wowed the scouts, launching most pitches deep to left, and landed a $75-a-month contract.

Sauer climbed the minor league ladder from 1937 to 1941. He led Butler to a championship in 1938, hitting .351. After solid years in Akron and Birmingham, the Cincinnati Reds picked him up in 1941 and called him up for a September trial—he hit .303 in nine games.

Teams Played For and Positions

Sauer played for four MLB teams, mostly in left field, but sometimes first base or right field. His career showed off his power and also the struggle of making it during the World War II years.

Cincinnati Reds (1941-1942, 1945, 1948-1949)
The Reds gave Sauer his first shot in the majors. Manager Bill McKechnie, though, sent him back to the minors after a missed fly ball in spring training 1942. Sauer joined the Coast Guard during 1943-1944, then returned to Cincinnati in 1945. An ankle injury cut that season short.

He finally broke through in 1948, becoming Cincinnati’s regular left fielder at age 31. He hit 35 home runs and knocked in 97 runs, ranking fourth in home runs in the National League.

Chicago Cubs (1949-1955)
The Cubs picked up Sauer in a June 15, 1949 trade—Cincinnati probably regretted that one. Manager Frankie Frisch told him, “I didn’t buy you to hit balls to right field. I want you to hit home runs and drive in runs for me.”

His best years happened with Chicago. Sauer won the 1952 National League MVP by hitting 37 home runs and leading the league with 121 RBIs. Fans at Wrigley Field loved his power, and the “Sauer section” would toss him tobacco pouches during games.

St. Louis Cardinals (1956) and San Francisco Giants (1957-1959)
He wrapped up his career with short stints in St. Louis, then joined the Giants for their move to San Francisco in 1958. Sauer became part of the franchise’s West Coast start and retired after the 1959 season.

Retirement in 1959

Hank Sauer played his last Major League Baseball game with the San Francisco Giants in 1959, closing out an 18-year career that began in 1941. His final appearance came on August 17, 1959, against the Cincinnati Reds, the same team that first brought him up.

By the time he retired, Sauer had put up some pretty solid career stats. He finished with a .266 batting average, 288 home runs, and 876 RBIs over 1,399 games. Those numbers made him one of the top sluggers of the 1950s.

Career Highlights:

• 1952 National League MVP Award
• Two-time All-Star selection
• 37 home runs in 1952 (tied for NL lead)
• 121 RBIs in 1952 (NL leader)
• Six seasons with 30+ home runs

Sauer overcame a lot—he served in World War II, fought through injuries, and didn’t let early career setbacks stop him.

After he hung up his spikes, Sauer stayed in baseball as a scout and coach until 1993. He passed away on August 24, 2001, in Burlingame, California, at 84. Chicago Cubs fans still remember him as one of their all-time favorites.

Peak Achievements and Awards

Hank Sauer hit the peak of his baseball career in 1952, winning the National League MVP after leading the league in home runs and RBIs. He made two All-Star teams and later got recognition from the Cubs for what he did for the franchise.

1952 MVP Season

That 1952 season? It was the highlight of Sauer’s career. At 35, he tied Pittsburgh’s Ralph Kiner for the big league home run crown with 37 homers and led all of baseball with 121 RBIs.

The Baseball Writers Association of America picked Sauer as the National League MVP. He got 226 points in the voting, beating out Phillies pitcher Robin Roberts (211 points) and Dodgers rookie Joe Black (208 points).

His big year helped the Cubs finish fifth—their best spot since 1946. More than 130,000 extra fans showed up at Wrigley compared to the year before.

That MVP season got him his best contract ever: $37,500. Considering the average big league salary was only $12,340, that was a pretty sweet deal.

All-Star Selections

Sauer made two All-Star teams with the Cubs. His power and popularity made him an easy choice for the National League squad.

He got picked during his best years in Chicago, when pitchers really didn’t want to see him at the plate. Sauer hit 30 or more homers in six different seasons.

Those All-Star nods showed just how much fans and fellow players respected him. Manager Phil Cavarretta once said only five active players had lifetime slugging percentages over .500, and Sauer was right there with Stan Musial, Ralph Kiner, Johnny Mize, and Larry Doby.

Chicago Cubs Hall of Fame and Other Honors

Sauer became a Cubs legend while playing at Wrigley. Fans in the “Sauer section” behind left field tossed him tobacco pouches as a sign of love.

Jerome Holtzman, a longtime Chicago baseball writer, called Sauer “among the most popular players in Cubs history.” After Sauer died in 2001, Holtzman wrote an article titled “When Hank Sauer Was the Mayor of Wrigley Field.”

The Cubs have honored Sauer’s contributions. His 1952 MVP is still one of the biggest individual awards in team history after World War II.

Power Hitting and Statistical Highlights

Hank Sauer built his reputation as one of baseball’s most dangerous power hitters, launching 288 home runs and driving in 876 runs over 18 years. His best seasons with the Cubs in the early 1950s really showed off his ability to lead the league in offense.

Home Run Leader

Sauer’s power peaked in 1952, tying Ralph Kiner for the National League home run title with 37 homers. Not bad for age 35—he was still hitting bombs late in his career.

He topped 30 home runs in six different seasons. His career high came in 1954, when he hit 41 home runs and cemented himself as a top National League slugger.

With 288 career home runs, Sauer stood out among his peers. His quick swing and knack for pulling the ball made him a real threat at Wrigley Field, even though the wind there could make life tough for hitters.

Runs Batted In and RBI Titles

In 1952, Sauer led the National League with 121 RBIs. That, plus his 37 homers, won him the MVP.

He kept driving in runs year after year with the Cubs. His 121 RBIs in 1952 marked the high point, but he had multiple seasons with more than 100 runs batted in.

Sauer’s 876 career RBIs showed how valuable he was in the middle of the lineup. He could always be counted on to bring runners home, especially in those early ’50s Cubs teams.

Other Offensive Metrics

Sauer’s career batting average sat at .266 over 1,399 games, and he picked up 1,278 hits. His OPS of .843 showed he could get on base and hit for power.

He scored 709 runs, mainly while playing left field. Doubles and other extra-base hits boosted his slugging numbers throughout his career.

Sites like Baseball Reference show Sauer’s impact went beyond homers and RBIs. His steady offense made him a two-time All-Star and one of the Cubs’ most reliable hitters in the early ’50s.

Memorable Games and Notable Moments

Hank Sauer’s career delivered some pretty wild highlights, especially when it came to showing off his power. His two three-homer games against pitcher Curt Simmons and his special bond with Cubs fans are still talked about today.

Three-Homer Games Versus Curt Simmons

Sauer shares a rare spot in baseball history with Johnny Bench. They’re the only players to hit three home runs in a single game twice—against the same pitcher.

Both times, Sauer took Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Curt Simmons deep three times in a game. That’s not something you see every day.

It’s even more impressive since Simmons was a key part of the Phillies’ strong pitching staff and helped them win the 1950 NL pennant.

Sauer’s success against Simmons showed he could really figure pitchers out. He spotted patterns and weaknesses and took advantage of them.

Relationship with Fans and Unique Anecdotes

Cubs fans had a real thing for Sauer and showed it in some quirky ways. The left field bleachers had their own “Sauer section” where diehards cheered him on.

They’d toss him pouches of chewing tobacco during games. Former teammate Frank Baumholtz once said, “Hank liked to chew, and the fans showered him with pouches of tobacco.”

That tradition just made the bond between Sauer and Cubs fans even stronger. It became a signature part of Wrigley games while he was there.

Sauer’s down-to-earth attitude made him a fan favorite wherever he played. Jerome Holtzman called him “among the most popular players in Cubs history” after his death in 2001.

His ability to connect with fans went beyond just Chicago. Players and supporters across the National League respected his approachability and work ethic.

Legacy After Retirement

Hank Sauer stayed close to baseball for more than thirty years after he stopped playing. He shaped the careers of many players as a scout and coach, always looking for ways to help Major League Baseball teams.

Coaching and Scouting Career

After hanging up his cleats in 1959, Sauer jumped right into instructing. He stuck with the San Francisco Giants, the team where he wrapped up his playing days as part of their first 1958 roster.

His coaching and scouting work stretched across 34 years. Sauer kept going until 1993, showing just how much he loved the game.

The Giants leaned on his sharp baseball mind. With his background as an MVP and two-time All-Star, Sauer brought real credibility to player development.

He stayed active in Major League Baseball circles well into his seventies. That kind of commitment is rare.

Influence on Future Players and Organizations

Sauer didn’t just leave his mark on the field. As a scout and coach, he handed down decades of baseball wisdom to younger players.

He taught with patience and had a knack for explaining hitting mechanics in a way that clicked. Sauer could spot talent and knew how to help players grow, which earned him respect throughout MLB.

People in the baseball world noticed his steady influence. His lasting impact stretched far beyond his own stats.

He cared about keeping baseball traditions alive. Sauer brought knowledge from the 1940s and 1950s into modern development programs, and that’s no small thing.

Personal Life and Memorial

Hank Sauer’s story goes well beyond baseball. He grew up in a working-class Pittsburgh family and always stayed close to his roots. He died in 2001 at age 84, and people remember him at Holy Cross Cemetery in California.

Family Background

Sauer came into the world on March 17, 1917, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Bellevue, a suburb, where money was tight and life wasn’t always easy.

When his father got sick, young Hank helped his mom however he could, running errands and chopping wood. The family had four boys—Fred, Bill, Hank, and Ed. Ed would go on to play in the majors for four years.

The boys ate beans and soup during tough stretches. Still, they all dreamed about baseball and hung around outside Forbes Field, hoping to see Pirates legends like Pie Traynor or the Waner brothers.

On December 29, 1940, Hank married Esther Tavel in secret. They kept it quiet because the Birmingham Barons’ owner didn’t like young players getting married back then.

Final Years and Passing

After his playing days ended in 1959, Sauer kept working in baseball for decades. He served as a scout and coach with the San Francisco Giants until 1993, taking on all sorts of baseball roles.

He spent his last years in California, a long way from Pennsylvania. Sauer passed away on August 24, 2001, in Burlingame, California.

For Chicago Cubs fans, his death felt like the end of an era. Jerome Holtzman, who covered Chicago baseball for years, called Sauer “among the most popular players in Cubs history” after he passed.

Memorials and Cemetery

Sauer rests at Holy Cross Cemetery in Colma, California. This cemetery marks his final resting place, just a short distance from where he last lived in California.

You can find his legacy in several baseball memorial sites. For example, Find a Grave records share details about his life and career, which keeps his story alive for future baseball fans.

After his passing, people announced plans for a formal memorial service, though they hadn’t nailed down the details yet. Fans and historians still talk about his impact on Cubs history and the golden era of baseball.