Jeff Ballard
Born: 8/13/1963 in Billings, MT, USA
MLB Debut: 1987-05-09 | Final Game: 1994-07-08
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 195 lbs
Full name: Jeffrey Scott Ballard
Biography
Jeff Ballard, born in 1963, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1987 to 1994. He made his mark in Major League Baseball during a competitive era characterized by the emergence of new offensive strategies and an evolving approach to pitching. Over the course of his career, Ballard posted a record of 41 wins and 53 losses, with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.71. He tallied a total of 244 strikeouts and recorded 2 saves, showcasing his ability to contribute both as a starter and in relief.
Ballard played for several teams during his tenure in the majors, where he was known for his versatility on the mound. His pitching style combined a mix of speed and strategy, allowing him to navigate the challenges posed by hitters of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Although he may not have achieved the stardom of some of his contemporaries, Ballard's contributions to his teams and the insights he gained from playing during this dynamic period of baseball history remain a testament to his skill and dedication to the sport. After retiring in 1994, he left behind a legacy as a reliable pitcher who played an important role in the fabric of his teams during his active years.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 53 | 197 | 118 | 10 | 2 | 2 | 773.3 | 914 | 405 | 92 | 229 | 244 | 4.71 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | BAL | AL | 2 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 69.7 | 100 | 51 | 35 | 27 | 6.59 | -3725.2 |
| 1988 | BAL | AL | 8 | 12 | 25 | 25 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 153.3 | 167 | 75 | 42 | 41 | 4.40 | -2813.2 |
| 1989 | BAL | AL | 18 | 8 | 35 | 35 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 215.3 | 240 | 82 | 57 | 62 | 3.43 | -1644.2 |
| 1990 | BAL | AL | 2 | 11 | 44 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 133.3 | 152 | 73 | 42 | 50 | 4.93 | -4638.9 |
| 1991 | BAL | AL | 6 | 12 | 26 | 22 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 123.7 | 153 | 77 | 28 | 37 | 5.60 | -2396.2 |
| 1993 | PIT | NL | 4 | 1 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 53.7 | 70 | 29 | 15 | 16 | 4.86 | 164.8 |
| 1994 | PIT | NL | 1 | 1 | 28 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 24.3 | 32 | 18 | 10 | 11 | 6.66 | -1065.4 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 197 | 13 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.385 | 0.385 | 0.462 | 0.846 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | BAL | AL | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1988 | BAL | AL | 25 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1989 | BAL | AL | 35 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1990 | BAL | AL | 44 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1991 | BAL | AL | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1993 | PIT | NL | 25 | 11 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.364 | 0.0 |
| 1994 | PIT | NL | 28 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.500 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 197 | 118 | 47 | 128 | 5 | 16 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | BAL | P | 14 | 14 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 1 |
| 1988 | BAL | P | 25 | 25 | 9 | 13 | 0 | 3 |
| 1989 | BAL | P | 35 | 35 | 13 | 55 | 2 | 6 |
| 1990 | BAL | P | 44 | 17 | 11 | 20 | 1 | 0 |
| 1991 | BAL | P | 26 | 22 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 3 |
| 1993 | PIT | P | 25 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 3 |
| 1994 | PIT | P | 28 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 197 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Pitcher of the Month | April |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | PIT | NL | $175,000 |
| 1991 | BAL | AL | $465,000 |
| 1990 | BAL | AL | $200,000 |
| 1989 | BAL | AL | $97,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $937,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | Palo Alto | CA | 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Cy Young Award | AL | 6th | 3.0 | 140 | 0 |