Mize made his major league and Cardinals debut in 1936 as a first baseman. He played in 126 games and produced a .326 batting average with 93 RBI’s and 19 home runs.
His nickname was “The Big Cat” due to his ability to field his position. He followed up his rookie with another impressive performance in 1937. He batted .364 but was second on his team to Joe Medwick at .374.
In 1939 he swatted 28 home runs and batted .329 for the season and was second in the Most Valuable Player voting. Continuing his hot hitting in 1940, he bopped 43 home runs for the Cardinals.
With his value at an all-time high, he was traded by Branch Rickey for Bill Lohrman, Johnny McCarthy and Ken O’Dea along with $50,000.
Statistics
- Debuted on April 16, 1936
- Last played on Sept. 26, 1953
- .312 lifetime hitter
- 359 home runs
- 1337 Runs Batted In
- 10-time All Star
- 5-time World Series Champion
- NL batting title 1939
- 4-time home run leader
- 3-time RBI leader
- Inducted to St. Louis Cardinals Hall of Fame
- Inducted into National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1981 by Veterans Cmte.
Mize sued Gum Products Inc. because he claimed they were using his likeness on baseball cards without his consent. Mize lost the suit but the company had to quit producing the product as they incurred too many expenses in their legal wranglings.