An injury to Russell early in the season landed Auerbach a stating job with the Dodgers for most of the first half of the season. He was batting below .200 for much of the time Russell was gone, but managed to get his batting average up to .209 by the time Russell returned. He had just twelve at bats after that. He saw very little playing time in as well, getting six hits in 47 at bats all season.
