Trivia: Highest lifetime batting average
 

of players with at least 15 seasons in the big leagues and at least 50 at bats.

The 50 ABs level is a telling limit. I don't know who it is, but I'm guessing it is a pitcher from the prewar era or earlier who hit .400.

Hint?

Is it a trick question? Is the answer still Ty Cobb?

Ha
That's the only guess I could come up with...

Terry Forster?

Isn't Josh Gibson officially higher than Cobb now?

Does Gibson have 15 seasons played?

I would think so, but I didn't look it up. Anyhow, it can't be him or Cobb, must be a pitcher.

Baseball-reference.com has him with 14 seasons

Ah ok. Then it's whatever relief pitcher beats out Cobb. I doubt any starter who batted regularly outhit Cobb.

Look at Terry Forster’s numbers.

That’s gotta be the answer.

Yes, it's Forster. Just 3 points below .400. And I think it's a good guess he didn't get many infield hits.

Actually used as a pinch runner several times, probably not near the end of his career as pictured.

David Letterman once called him a "fat tub of goo".

Fascinating career.

Was part of a very good relief duo with Goose Gossage with the White Sox, and then the White Sox disastrously tried to make them both starters in 1976.

Then they traded both to the Pirates for Richie Zisk before the 1977 season, just before Free Agency kicked in for everyone involved.

Both went back to being very good to great relievers.

0.00 ERA in 8 postseason appearances.

Obviously the .397 batting average and .413 OBP as a relief pitcher who got very few reps at the plate...kind of making his 31 hits and 2 walks against 9 strikeouts in 86 plate appearances over 15+ seasons even more impressive in a weird sort of way.

Then the Letterman stuff when his weight ballooned, which he actually seemed to be a good sport about.