Mike Caruso
Born: 5/27/1977 in Queens, NY, USA
MLB Debut: 1998-03-31 | Final Game: 2002-08-09
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 172 lbs
Full name: Michael John Caruso
Biography
Mike Caruso, born in 1977, was a versatile position player in Major League Baseball who played from 1998 until his retirement in 2002. Over the course of his career, Caruso appeared in 281 games, primarily showcasing his skills as an infielder. He achieved a respectable batting average of .274, accumulating 294 hits, including 7 home runs and 90 RBIs. Known for his speed on the bases, Caruso also recorded 34 stolen bases, demonstrating his ability to impact the game not just with his bat but with his agility as well.
Caruso's playing career unfolded during a dynamic period in baseball, marked by the offensive explosion of the late 1990s and early 2000s. His contributions to the teams he played for reflected the increasing emphasis on speed and versatility in the game. Although he may not be a household name, his consistent performance and ability to contribute in various capacities made him a valued player during his time in the league.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 281 | 1072 | 144 | 294 | 28 | 10 | 7 | 90 | 34 | 35 | 76 | 0.274 | 0.302 | 0.339 | 0.641 | -3434.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | CHW | AL | 133 | 523 | 81 | 160 | 17 | 6 | 5 | 55 | 22 | 14 | 38 | 0.306 | -533.3 |
| 1999 | CHW | AL | 136 | 529 | 60 | 132 | 11 | 4 | 2 | 35 | 12 | 20 | 36 | 0.250 | -2900.8 |
| 2002 | KCR | AL | 12 | 20 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.100 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 4 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 268 | 256 | 403 | 736 | 59 | 177 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | CHA | SS | 131 | 129 | 216 | 378 | 35 | 91 |
| 1999 | CHA | SS | 132 | 125 | 183 | 348 | 24 | 86 |
| 2002 | KCA | 2B | 4 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 2002 | KCA | 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2002 | KCA | SS | 5 | 2 | 4 | 10 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 4 |
| Third Base | 2 |
| Shortstop | 268 |
| Designated Hitter | 2 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | CHA | AL | $275,000 |
| 1998 | CHA | AL | $170,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $445,000 | ||
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Rookie of the Year | AL | 3rd | 34.0 | 140 | 0 |