Monk Cline
Born: 3/3/1858 in Louisville, KY, USA
Died: 9/23/1916 in Louisville, KY, USA
MLB Debut: 1882-07-04 | Final Game: 1891-10-04
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 5'4" | Weight: 150 lbs
Full name: John P. Cline
Biography
Monk Cline was a professional baseball player born in 1858, who played as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1882 to 1891. Over the course of his career, Cline participated in 232 games, where he made a notable impact with a batting average of .261. He recorded 245 hits, including 2 home runs, and drove in 71 runs while also showcasing his speed on the bases with 31 stolen bases.
Cline's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, which saw the game evolving from its early, rough-and-tumble roots into a more structured competition. His contributions on the field reflected the growing emphasis on offensive production and base running. Although not a household name today, Cline's role as a consistent hitter and base stealer in the late 19th century helped pave the way for future generations of players who would thrive in a more competitive and commercially viable sport. His legacy, while overshadowed by the legends of his time, remains a testament to the rich history of baseball's formative years.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 232 | 940 | 165 | 245 | 39 | 12 | 2 | 71 | 31 | 66 | 29 | 0.261 | 0.313 | 0.334 | 0.647 | 1033.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1882 | BL2 | AA | 44 | 172 | 18 | 38 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0.221 | -392.8 |
| 1884 | LS2 | AA | 94 | 396 | 91 | 115 | 16 | 7 | 2 | 39 | 0 | 27 | 0 | 0.290 | 1334.7 |
| 1885 | LS2 | AA | 2 | 9 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.222 | 0.0 |
| 1888 | KC2 | AA | 73 | 293 | 45 | 69 | 13 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 29 | 20 | 27 | 0.235 | -188.0 |
| 1891 | LS2 | AA | 19 | 70 | 11 | 21 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 11 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 0.300 | 279.7 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 5 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 3B | 3 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 219 | 0 | 337 | 65 | 61 | 6 |
| SS | 14 | 0 | 7 | 25 | 13 | 3 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1882 | BL2 | 2B | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1882 | BL2 | 3B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1882 | BL2 | SS | 8 | 0 | 4 | 13 | 8 | 3 |
| 1882 | BL2 | OF | 39 | 0 | 78 | 16 | 20 | 1 |
| 1884 | LS2 | SS | 6 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 5 | 0 |
| 1884 | LS2 | OF | 90 | 0 | 143 | 25 | 24 | 1 |
| 1885 | LS2 | 3B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1885 | LS2 | OF | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1888 | KC2 | 2B | 3 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1888 | KC2 | 3B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1888 | KC2 | OF | 70 | 0 | 91 | 22 | 15 | 4 |
| 1891 | LS2 | OF | 19 | 0 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 5 |
| Third Base | 3 |
| Shortstop | 14 |
| Left Field | 61 |
| Center Field | 119 |
| Right Field | 41 |