Brett Butler, baseball player, 1981-1997

Brett Butler

Born: 6/15/1957 in Los Angeles, CA, USA

MLB Debut: 1981-08-20 | Final Game: 1997-09-28

Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 160 lbs

Full name: Brett Morgan Butler

Biography

Brett Butler was a prominent figure in Major League Baseball, known for his exceptional speed and versatility as a position player during his career from 1981 to 1997. Born in 1957, Butler played a total of 2,213 games, where he demonstrated his ability to hit for average and generate offense. He compiled 2,375 hits over his career, finishing with a batting average of .29, and contributed 54 home runs and 578 RBIs. Notably, he was a prolific base-stealer, amassing 558 stolen bases, which underscored his status as one of the premier leadoff hitters of his time. Butler was recognized for his talent with an All-Star selection, highlighting his impact during an era that valued speed and contact hitting. His playing style was characterized by a patient approach at the plate and an ability to get on base, making him a crucial component of the lineup for the teams he played for, including the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Francisco Giants. Throughout his career, Butler not only left a lasting mark with his offensive contributions but also helped redefine the role of the leadoff hitter in the game, paving the way for future generations of players who prioritized speed and on-base skills.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
2213 8180 1359 2375 277 131 54 578 558 1129 907 0.290 0.377 0.376 0.753 11865.6

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
14 49 8 12 1 0 0 2 5 7 0.245

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1995 NLDS2 LAN 3 15 1 4 0 0 0 1 0 3 0.267
1989 WS SFN 4 14 1 4 1 0 0 1 2 1 0.286
1989 NLCS SFN 5 19 6 4 0 0 0 0 3 3 0.211
1982 NLCS ATL 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.000

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
OF 2159 2080 5296 122 41 32

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Left Field 182
Center Field 1987
Right Field 10
Designated Hitter 2

Awards & Honors

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1997 LAN NL $1,733,304
1996 LAN NL $2,000,000
1995 NYN NL $2,000,000
1994 LAN NL $3,500,000
1993 LAN NL $3,333,333
1992 LAN NL $3,333,333
1991 LAN NL $2,833,333
1990 SFN NL $1,100,000
1989 SFN NL $900,000
1988 SFN NL $900,000
1987 CLE AL $765,000
1986 CLE AL $850,000
1985 CLE AL $425,000
Total Career Earnings $23,673,303

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
Southeastern Oklahoma State University Durant OK 1977, 1978, 1979

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1994 Most Valuable Player NL 22th 1.0 392 0
1992 Most Valuable Player NL 21th 2.0 336 0
1991 Most Valuable Player NL 7th 103.0 336 1
1990 Most Valuable Player NL 24th 2.0 336 0
1989 Most Valuable Player NL 17th 3.0 336 0
1988 Most Valuable Player NL 17th 2.0 336 0