Reiser, "Pete" (Harold P.)
Baseball
b. March 17, 1919, St. Louis, MO
d. Oct. 25, 1981
After appearing in 58 games with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1940, "Pistol Pete" became the team's starting center fielder in 1941 and had a sensational season. He led the NL with a .343 batting average, .558 slugging percentage, 117 runs scored, 39 doubles, and 17 triples while also playing brilliant defense.
Reiser was hitting .390 in July of 1942 when he crashed into a fence while chasing a fly ball and suffered a serious concussion. Then he tried to come back before he was fully recovered. Troubled by headaches, blurred vision, and frequent dizzy spells, he ended up hitting just .310 that season and was never again the same player.
After spending three years in military service, Reiser returned to the Dodgers in 1947, when he batted .309 in 110 games. Relegated to part-time duty in 1948, he was traded to the Boston Braves the following season. He ended his playing career with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1951 and the Cleveland Indians in 1952. He later served as a major-league coach and minor-league manager.
In 861 games, Reiser had a .295 average on 786 hits, including 155 doubles, 41 triples, and 58 home runs. He stole 87 bases, scored 473 runs, and had 368 RBI.