Chris Bando
Born: 2/4/1956 in Cleveland, OH, USA
MLB Debut: 1981-08-13 | Final Game: 1989-10-01
Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 195 lbs
Full name: Christopher Michael Bando
Biography
Chris Bando, born in 1956, was a professional baseball player who made significant contributions to Major League Baseball from 1981 until his retirement in 1989. Primarily recognized for his role as a position player, Bando appeared in 498 games throughout his career. He was known for his work ethic and versatility on the field, showcasing a blend of defensive skills and offensive capabilities. Bando recorded 292 hits, including 27 home runs, and drove in 142 RBIs, culminating in a career batting average of .227. His solitary stolen base illustrated his approach to the game that favored solid contact and situational hitting over base-stealing speed.
Bando played during a transformative era in baseball, where the game was evolving with the introduction of more specialized roles and an emphasis on power hitting. While his offensive numbers may not have placed him among the league leaders, his contributions as a reliable player were valued by the teams he played for. His career spanned various teams, allowing him to be part of the changing dynamics of MLB during the 1980s. After retiring from professional play on October 1, 1989, Bando left a legacy as a consistent and dedicated player who contributed to the fabric of the game during a significant period in baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 498 | 1284 | 134 | 292 | 46 | 2 | 27 | 142 | 1 | 138 | 197 | 0.227 | 0.300 | 0.329 | 0.629 | -2747.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | CLE | AL | 21 | 47 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.213 | -202.9 |
| 1982 | CLE | AL | 66 | 184 | 13 | 39 | 6 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 0 | 24 | 30 | 0.212 | -482.5 |
| 1983 | CLE | AL | 48 | 121 | 15 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0 | 15 | 19 | 0.256 | 33.9 |
| 1984 | CLE | AL | 75 | 220 | 38 | 64 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 41 | 1 | 33 | 35 | 0.291 | 1006.8 |
| 1985 | CLE | AL | 73 | 173 | 11 | 24 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 22 | 21 | 0.139 | -1320.3 |
| 1986 | CLE | AL | 92 | 254 | 28 | 68 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 26 | 0 | 22 | 49 | 0.268 | -416.7 |
| 1987 | CLE | AL | 89 | 211 | 20 | 46 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 16 | 0 | 12 | 28 | 0.218 | -854.8 |
| 1988 | CLE | AL | 32 | 72 | 6 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 0.125 | -510.7 |
| 1988 | DET | AL | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | -510.7 |
| 1989 | OAK | AL | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.500 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 457 | 367 | 1888 | 183 | 27 | 23 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | CLE | C | 15 | 8 | 53 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 1982 | CLE | C | 63 | 49 | 268 | 23 | 3 | 1 |
| 1982 | CLE | 3B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | CLE | C | 43 | 34 | 170 | 19 | 1 | 2 |
| 1984 | CLE | C | 63 | 59 | 305 | 30 | 6 | 4 |
| 1984 | CLE | 1B | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | CLE | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | CLE | C | 67 | 57 | 251 | 28 | 4 | 3 |
| 1986 | CLE | C | 86 | 72 | 359 | 30 | 4 | 3 |
| 1987 | CLE | C | 86 | 65 | 351 | 34 | 4 | 8 |
| 1988 | CLE | C | 32 | 23 | 123 | 14 | 3 | 2 |
| 1988 | DET | C | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | OAK | C | 1 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 456 |
| First Base | 1 |
| Third Base | 3 |
| Designated Hitter | 3 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | CLE | AL | $325,000 |
| 1987 | CLE | AL | $305,000 |
| 1986 | CLE | AL | $225,000 |
| 1985 | CLE | AL | $225,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $1,080,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Tempe | AZ | 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 |