Mike Champion
Born: 2/10/1955 in Montgomery, AL, USA
MLB Debut: 1976-09-14 | Final Game: 1978-09-24
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 185 lbs
Full name: Robert Michael Champion
Biography
Mike Champion, born in 1955, was a professional baseball player who graced Major League Baseball from 1976 to 1978. A versatile position player, Champion played in a total of 193 games during his brief career, showcasing his skills primarily as an infielder. He accumulated 137 hits, with a batting average of .229, which reflected the challenges faced by players during the late 1970s, a time when offense was beginning to evolve in the wake of the deadball era. Champion's contributions to his teams included 49 runs batted in and 2 home runs, highlighting his ability to support his teammates in scoring opportunities.
In addition to his offensive capabilities, Champion demonstrated some speed on the basepaths, recording 3 stolen bases. Although his career was relatively short, Champion's presence during a transitional period in baseball allowed him to witness firsthand the changes in hitting and pitching styles that would shape the game in the following decades. His time in Major League Baseball may not have featured overwhelming statistics, but it reflected the spirit of determination and competitiveness that characterized many players of his era.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 193 | 598 | 42 | 137 | 16 | 8 | 2 | 49 | 3 | 33 | 101 | 0.229 | 0.272 | 0.293 | 0.564 | -2607.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | SDP | NL | 11 | 38 | 4 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0.237 | 0.0 |
| 1977 | SDP | NL | 150 | 507 | 35 | 116 | 14 | 6 | 1 | 43 | 3 | 27 | 85 | 0.229 | -2473.5 |
| 1978 | SDP | NL | 32 | 53 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 0.226 | -134.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 180 | 164 | 348 | 416 | 25 | 96 |
| 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | SDN | 2B | 11 | 10 | 23 | 24 | 3 | 2 |
| 1977 | SDN | 2B | 149 | 142 | 301 | 348 | 17 | 82 |
| 1978 | SDN | 2B | 20 | 12 | 24 | 44 | 5 | 12 |
| 1978 | SDN | 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 180 |
| Third Base | 4 |