Vince Coleman, baseball player, 1985-1997

Vince Coleman

Born: 9/22/1961 in Jacksonville, FL, USA

MLB Debut: 1985-04-18 | Final Game: 1997-04-14

Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 170 lbs

Full name: Vincent Maurice Coleman

Biography

Vince Coleman, born in 1961, was a dynamic position player whose career spanned from 1985 to 1997. Known for his exceptional speed and base-running abilities, Coleman left an indelible mark on Major League Baseball during an era that increasingly valued power hitting and offensive production. Over the course of 1,371 games, he amassed 1,425 hits, including 28 home runs, and drove in 346 runs, while posting a career batting average of .264. His most notable achievement was his remarkable ability to steal bases, finishing his career with a staggering total of 752 stolen bases, which showcased his agility and strategic prowess on the field. Coleman's impact on the game was recognized early in his career when he received the Rookie of the Year award and the TSN Rookie Player of the Year honors. He was selected as an All-Star twice, solidifying his reputation as one of the premier base runners of his time. Coleman played a significant role in the success of the St. Louis Cardinals during the late 1980s and early 1990s, contributing to their fast-paced style of play that emphasized aggressive base running. His legacy endures as one of the great stolen base artists in baseball history, making him a notable figure in the sport's transition towards a more speed-oriented game.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1371 5406 849 1425 176 89 28 346 752 477 960 0.264 0.324 0.345 0.668 -7458.8

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
28 111 16 22 3 1 1 8 10 28 0.198

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1995 ALDS2 SEA 5 23 6 5 0 1 1 1 2 4 0.217
1995 ALCS SEA 6 20 0 2 0 0 0 0 2 6 0.100
1987 NLCS SLN 7 26 3 7 1 0 0 4 4 6 0.269
1987 WS SLN 7 28 5 4 2 0 0 2 2 10 0.143
1985 NLCS SLN 3 14 2 4 0 0 0 1 0 2 0.286

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
OF 1311 1283 2452 109 68 17

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Left Field 1153
Center Field 154
Right Field 25
Designated Hitter 10

Awards & Honors

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1997 DET AL $500,000
1996 CIN NL $500,000
1995 KCA AL $250,000
1994 KCA AL $3,312,500
1993 NYN NL $2,312,500
1992 NYN NL $3,212,500
1991 NYN NL $3,112,500
1990 SLN NL $1,012,500
1989 SLN NL $775,000
1988 SLN NL $700,000
1987 SLN NL $160,000
1986 SLN NL $150,000
1985 SLN NL $60,000
Total Career Earnings $16,057,500

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Tallahassee FL 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1987 Most Valuable Player NL 12th 20.0 336 0
1985 Most Valuable Player NL 11th 16.0 336 0
1985 Rookie of the Year NL 1st 120.0 120 24