Steve Bilko
Born: 11/13/1928 in Nanticoke, PA, USA
Died: 3/7/1978 in Wilkes-Barre, PA, USA
MLB Debut: 1949-09-22 | Final Game: 1962-08-23
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 230 lbs
Full name: Stephen Thomas Bilko
Biography
Steve Bilko was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1949 to 1962. Born in 1928, Bilko played primarily as a position player and became known for his power-hitting capabilities during a time when the game was evolving, transitioning from the deadball era to a more offensive-minded approach. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 600 games, accumulating 432 hits, 76 home runs, and 276 RBIs, while finishing with a batting average of .249.
Bilko's playing style showcased a blend of strength and determination, which contributed significantly to his teams. Despite not being known for speed, as evidenced by his two stolen bases, his ability to drive in runs and hit for power made him a valuable asset in the lineup. His contributions were particularly notable during the early 1950s, a period marked by fierce competition and the emergence of several legendary players. Bilko's legacy in baseball is remembered for his solid performance and the role he played in the changing dynamics of the sport during his era.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 600 | 1738 | 220 | 432 | 85 | 13 | 76 | 276 | 2 | 234 | 395 | 0.249 | 0.336 | 0.444 | 0.780 | 2674.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | STL | NL | 6 | 17 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0.294 | 0.0 |
| 1950 | STL | NL | 10 | 33 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 10 | 0.182 | 0.0 |
| 1951 | STL | NL | 21 | 72 | 5 | 16 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 0 | 9 | 10 | 0.222 | -89.6 |
| 1952 | STL | NL | 20 | 72 | 7 | 19 | 6 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 15 | 0.264 | 3.3 |
| 1953 | STL | NL | 154 | 570 | 72 | 143 | 23 | 3 | 21 | 84 | 0 | 70 | 125 | 0.251 | 225.4 |
| 1954 | CHC | NL | 47 | 92 | 11 | 22 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 12 | 0 | 11 | 24 | 0.239 | 140.9 |
| 1954 | STL | NL | 8 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0.143 | 140.9 |
| 1958 | CIN | NL | 31 | 87 | 12 | 23 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 17 | 0 | 10 | 20 | 0.264 | 170.5 |
| 1958 | LAD | NL | 47 | 101 | 13 | 21 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 18 | 0 | 8 | 37 | 0.208 | 170.5 |
| 1960 | DET | AL | 78 | 222 | 20 | 46 | 11 | 2 | 9 | 25 | 0 | 27 | 31 | 0.207 | -166.0 |
| 1961 | LAA | AL | 114 | 294 | 49 | 82 | 16 | 1 | 20 | 59 | 1 | 58 | 81 | 0.279 | 1801.4 |
| 1962 | LAA | AL | 64 | 164 | 26 | 47 | 9 | 1 | 8 | 38 | 1 | 25 | 35 | 0.287 | 618.5 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 479 | 245 | 3913 | 359 | 36 | 384 |
| OF | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1949 | SLN | 1B | 5 | 0 | 42 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1950 | SLN | 1B | 9 | 0 | 81 | 7 | 1 | 8 |
| 1951 | SLN | 1B | 19 | 0 | 170 | 13 | 3 | 18 |
| 1952 | SLN | 1B | 20 | 0 | 177 | 24 | 1 | 14 |
| 1953 | SLN | 1B | 154 | 0 | 1446 | 124 | 15 | 145 |
| 1954 | CHN | 1B | 22 | 21 | 182 | 28 | 0 | 17 |
| 1954 | SLN | 1B | 6 | 4 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 3 |
| 1958 | CIN | 1B | 21 | 21 | 172 | 11 | 1 | 19 |
| 1958 | LAN | 1B | 25 | 25 | 173 | 17 | 1 | 20 |
| 1960 | DET | 1B | 62 | 59 | 501 | 36 | 5 | 47 |
| 1961 | LAA | 1B | 86 | 72 | 577 | 61 | 7 | 56 |
| 1961 | LAA | OF | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1962 | LAA | 1B | 50 | 43 | 371 | 28 | 2 | 36 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 478 |
| Right Field | 3 |