Liz Funk
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Elias Calvin "Liz" Funk (October 28, 1904 - January 15, 1968) was a Major League Baseball center fielder who played four seasons in the Major Leagues.
Born in La Cygne, Kansas, Liz Funk attended the University of Oklahoma from 1923-1928.
Liz Funk debuted with the New York Yankees on April 26, 1929. He only played in one game for the Yankees and did not even have a plate appearance in that game. Funk played most of the 1929 season in the Pacific Coast League.
In 1930, Funk had a very promising rookie season with the Detroit Tigers. He played in 140 games as the Tigers' starting center fielder. He hit for a .279 batting average with a .389 slugging percentage, 74 runs, 145 hits, 21 doubles, 11 triples, 4 home runs, 65 RBIs, and 12 stolen bases. His 23 sacrifice hits were third best in the American League, and he was also among the league leaders in being hit by a pitch with 5. Funk also had a strong year playing center field in 1930 for Detroit, with 354 putouts, 8 assists, 4 double plays, and a .965 fielding percentage. His Range factor in 1930 was 0.65 points above the league average.
Despite the strong rookie season, Liz Funk did not play in the Major Leagues in 1931.
In 1932, Liz Funk resurfaced after the Chicago White Sox acquired him from Louisville Colonels in the American Association. In need of a leadoff hitter in 1932, the White Sox liked Funk's speed. Funk played in 122 games as the White Sox' starting center fielder in 1932. Funk continued with strong fielding numbers in 1932, collecting 318 putouts, 14 assists, and 4 double plays. Once again, his Range factor of 2.77 was significantly higher than the league average of 2.28. Aa hitter, Funk had a good year with the Sox, but not as strong as his rookie year in Detroit. While his 17 stolen bases was 5th best in the American League, he was also No. 2 in the league with 15 times caught stealing.
In 1933, Liz Funk played in only 10 games for the White Sox, with his last Major League appearance on May 20, 1933.
Liz Funk died in 1968 at age 63 in Norman, Oklahoma. He is buried in Fairlawn Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
