Mike Birkbeck
Born: 3/10/1961 in Orrville, OH, USA
MLB Debut: 1986-08-17 | Final Game: 1995-06-11
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Michael Lawrence Birkbeck
Biography
Mike Birkbeck, born in 1961, was a professional baseball pitcher whose career spanned from 1986 to 1995. He made his Major League debut with the New York Mets and went on to play for several teams, including the Chicago White Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies. Over his career, Birkbeck compiled a record of 12 wins and 19 losses, with an earned run average (ERA) of 4.86. He recorded a total of 149 strikeouts, showcasing his ability to miss bats, although he did not achieve any saves throughout his time in the league.
Birkbeck's playing style was characterized by his competitive nature and adaptability, which allowed him to navigate the challenges of pitching during a time when the game was witnessing a shift towards more offensive power. While he may not have achieved the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, his contributions on the mound were significant within the teams he played for. After his retirement in 1995, Birkbeck's legacy as a dependable pitcher remained a part of baseball history, reflecting the experiences of many players who carved out a career in a dynamic and evolving sport.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 19 | 54 | 51 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 270.3 | 319 | 146 | 27 | 93 | 149 | 4.86 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | ATL | AL | 1 | 1 | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 22.0 | 24 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 4.50 | - |
| 1987 | ATL | AL | 1 | 4 | 10 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 45.0 | 63 | 31 | 19 | 25 | 6.20 | - |
| 1988 | ATL | AL | 10 | 8 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 124.0 | 141 | 65 | 37 | 64 | 4.72 | - |
| 1989 | ATL | AL | 0 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 44.7 | 57 | 27 | 22 | 31 | 5.44 | - |
| 1992 | NYN | NL | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7.0 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 9.00 | 0.0 |
| 1995 | NYN | NL | 0 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27.7 | 22 | 5 | 2 | 14 | 1.63 | 837.0 |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 54 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.250 | 0.400 | 0.250 | 0.650 | 0.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | ATL | AL | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1987 | ATL | AL | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1988 | ATL | AL | 23 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1989 | ATL | AL | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0.0 |
| 1992 | NYN | NL | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1995 | NYN | NL | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0.333 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | 54 | 51 | 31 | 45 | 7 | 3 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1986 | ML4 | P | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | ML4 | P | 10 | 10 | 2 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| 1988 | ML4 | P | 23 | 23 | 21 | 19 | 2 | 2 |
| 1989 | ML4 | P | 9 | 9 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 0 |
| 1992 | NYN | P | 1 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | NYN | P | 4 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 54 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | ML4 | AL | $155,000 |
| 1988 | ML4 | AL | $70,000 |
| 1987 | ML4 | AL | $70,000 |
| 1986 | ML4 | AL | $60,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $355,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Akron | Akron | OH | 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 |