Karl Best
Born: 3/6/1959 in Aberdeen, WA, USA
MLB Debut: 1983-08-19 | Final Game: 1988-06-20
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'4" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Karl Jon Best
Biography
Karl Best, born in 1959, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1983 to June 20, 1988. Best's tenure in Major League Baseball was marked by his appearances on the mound, where he showcased a competitive spirit and a strong presence as a right-handed pitcher. Over the course of his career, he compiled a record of 5-6 with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.04. His ability to strike out batters was evident, as he recorded a total of 73 strikeouts, while also contributing to his teams with 5 saves.
Playing during a transitional period in baseball, Best navigated the changing landscape of the sport in the 1980s, a time that saw the evolution of pitching strategies and an increasing emphasis on bullpen depth. While not achieving superstar status, Best's contributions were significant to the teams he played for, as he helped solidify late-game situations. His career, though brief, reflected the tenacity and determination of many pitchers who labored in an era characterized by both the rise of power hitting and the strategic complexity of modern baseball.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | 6 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 91.3 | 96 | 41 | 7 | 39 | 73 | 4.04 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | SEA | AL | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5.3 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 3 | 13.50 | 0.0 |
| 1984 | SEA | AL | 1 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.0 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 3.00 | 0.0 |
| 1985 | SEA | AL | 2 | 1 | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 32.3 | 25 | 7 | 6 | 32 | 1.95 | 1738.9 |
| 1986 | SEA | AL | 2 | 3 | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 35.7 | 35 | 16 | 21 | 23 | 4.04 | -406.6 |
| 1988 | MIN | AL | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12.0 | 15 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 6.00 | -110.9 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | .000 | .000 | .000 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | SEA | AL | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1984 | SEA | AL | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1985 | SEA | AL | 15 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1986 | SEA | AL | 26 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1988 | MIN | AL | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 61 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 1 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | SEA | P | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | SEA | P | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | SEA | P | 15 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1986 | SEA | P | 26 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | MIN | P | 11 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 61 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | SFN | NL | $105,000 |
| 1986 | SEA | AL | $70,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $175,000 | ||