Bruce Benedict
Born: 8/18/1955 in Birmingham, AL, USA
MLB Debut: 1978-08-18 | Final Game: 1989-09-11
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Bruce Edwin Benedict
Biography
Bruce Benedict was a notable figure in Major League Baseball during his career from 1978 to 1989. Born in 1955, he established himself as a reliable position player, appearing in 982 games and amassing 696 hits, which contributed to a career batting average of .242. Known for his consistent play behind the plate, Benedict was recognized for his skills as a catcher, earning two All-Star selections during his tenure. His offensive contributions included 18 home runs and 260 RBIs, highlighting his ability to support his teammates and drive in runs when it mattered most.
Benedict played during a transformative era in baseball, characterized by the transition from the traditional playing styles of the past to a more dynamic approach. Despite not being a power hitter, his ability to get on base and maintain steady production made him a valuable asset to the teams he played for. Additionally, he showcased speed on the bases, recording 12 stolen bases over his career. After retiring from the game, Bruce Benedict left behind a legacy as a dependable player who exemplified the grit and determination of the era in which he played.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 982 | 2878 | 214 | 696 | 98 | 6 | 18 | 260 | 12 | 328 | 251 | 0.242 | 0.320 | 0.299 | 0.619 | -5753.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | ATL | NL | 22 | 52 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 6 | 0.250 | -83.3 |
| 1979 | ATL | NL | 76 | 204 | 14 | 46 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 15 | 1 | 33 | 18 | 0.225 | -506.0 |
| 1980 | ATL | NL | 120 | 359 | 18 | 91 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 34 | 3 | 28 | 36 | 0.253 | -825.9 |
| 1981 | ATL | NL | 90 | 295 | 26 | 78 | 12 | 1 | 5 | 35 | 1 | 33 | 21 | 0.264 | 190.1 |
| 1982 | ATL | NL | 118 | 386 | 34 | 95 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 44 | 4 | 37 | 40 | 0.246 | -883.1 |
| 1983 | ATL | NL | 134 | 423 | 43 | 126 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 43 | 1 | 61 | 24 | 0.298 | 541.8 |
| 1984 | ATL | NL | 95 | 300 | 26 | 67 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 25 | 1 | 34 | 25 | 0.223 | -806.7 |
| 1985 | ATL | NL | 70 | 208 | 12 | 42 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 20 | 0 | 22 | 12 | 0.202 | -1012.9 |
| 1986 | ATL | NL | 64 | 160 | 11 | 36 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 1 | 15 | 10 | 0.225 | -476.0 |
| 1987 | ATL | NL | 37 | 95 | 4 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 15 | 0.147 | -581.9 |
| 1988 | ATL | NL | 90 | 236 | 11 | 57 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 19 | 0 | 19 | 26 | 0.242 | -743.4 |
| 1989 | ATL | NL | 66 | 160 | 12 | 31 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 23 | 18 | 0.194 | -566.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.250 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | NLCS | ATL | 3 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0.250 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 971 | 892 | 4651 | 577 | 53 | 50 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | ATL | C | 22 | 16 | 81 | 14 | 1 | 1 |
| 1979 | ATL | C | 76 | 69 | 344 | 35 | 6 | 3 |
| 1980 | ATL | C | 120 | 111 | 502 | 76 | 7 | 6 |
| 1981 | ATL | C | 90 | 86 | 404 | 73 | 7 | 7 |
| 1982 | ATL | C | 118 | 111 | 602 | 73 | 5 | 9 |
| 1983 | ATL | C | 134 | 128 | 738 | 91 | 7 | 12 |
| 1984 | ATL | C | 95 | 95 | 504 | 37 | 5 | 2 |
| 1985 | ATL | C | 70 | 67 | 314 | 35 | 4 | 1 |
| 1986 | ATL | C | 57 | 49 | 252 | 28 | 2 | 1 |
| 1987 | ATL | C | 35 | 28 | 165 | 21 | 2 | 3 |
| 1988 | ATL | C | 89 | 76 | 384 | 54 | 5 | 3 |
| 1989 | ATL | C | 65 | 56 | 361 | 40 | 2 | 2 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 971 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | ATL | NL | $395,000 |
| 1988 | ATL | NL | $665,000 |
| 1987 | ATL | NL | $615,000 |
| 1986 | ATL | NL | $565,000 |
| 1985 | ATL | NL | $545,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $2,785,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Nebraska at Omaha | Omaha | NE | 1974, 1975, 1976 |