Rich Dauer
Born: 7/27/1952 in San Bernardino, CA, USA
Died: 2/3/2025 in Cincinnati, OH, USA
MLB Debut: 1976-09-11 | Final Game: 1985-09-29
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Richard Fremont Dauer
Biography
Rich Dauer was a professional baseball player born in 1952, who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1976 to 1985. Primarily known for his versatility as a position player, Dauer played a total of 1,140 games during his career, amassing 984 hits and 372 RBIs. His offensive contributions included 43 home runs and a batting average of .257, showcasing a well-rounded ability to hit for both average and power. Despite not being a prolific base stealer, he managed to swipe 6 bases over his career, reflecting a strategic approach to his game.
Dauer played in an era characterized by the transition from the deadball era to a more offensive-minded approach in the 1980s. His defensive skills and reliability on the field made him a valuable asset to the teams he played for, including the Baltimore Orioles, where he is best remembered. His contributions to the game extended beyond just statistics; he was a part of the Orioles' roster during a competitive time in baseball, helping to shape the team's identity in the mid-1980s. After retiring in 1985, Dauer left a legacy as a solid player who exemplified the dedication and skill necessary to compete at the highest level of the sport.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1140 | 3829 | 448 | 984 | 193 | 3 | 43 | 372 | 6 | 297 | 219 | 0.257 | 0.310 | 0.343 | 0.653 | -5623.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | BAL | AL | 11 | 39 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0.103 | 0.0 |
| 1977 | BAL | AL | 96 | 304 | 38 | 74 | 15 | 1 | 5 | 25 | 1 | 20 | 28 | 0.243 | -706.4 |
| 1978 | BAL | AL | 133 | 459 | 57 | 121 | 23 | 0 | 6 | 46 | 0 | 26 | 22 | 0.264 | -667.7 |
| 1979 | BAL | AL | 142 | 479 | 63 | 123 | 20 | 0 | 9 | 61 | 0 | 36 | 36 | 0.257 | -947.6 |
| 1980 | BAL | AL | 152 | 557 | 71 | 158 | 32 | 0 | 2 | 63 | 3 | 46 | 19 | 0.284 | -300.7 |
| 1981 | BAL | AL | 96 | 369 | 41 | 97 | 27 | 0 | 4 | 38 | 0 | 27 | 18 | 0.263 | -56.8 |
| 1982 | BAL | AL | 158 | 558 | 75 | 156 | 24 | 2 | 8 | 57 | 0 | 50 | 34 | 0.280 | -2.2 |
| 1983 | BAL | AL | 140 | 459 | 49 | 108 | 19 | 0 | 5 | 41 | 1 | 47 | 29 | 0.235 | -1186.5 |
| 1984 | BAL | AL | 127 | 397 | 29 | 101 | 26 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 1 | 24 | 23 | 0.254 | -870.4 |
| 1985 | BAL | AL | 85 | 208 | 25 | 42 | 7 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0 | 20 | 7 | 0.202 | -885.5 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 19 | 61 | 4 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 5 | 0.180 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | ALCS | BAL | 4 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
| 1983 | WS | BAL | 5 | 19 | 2 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0.211 |
| 1979 | WS | BAL | 6 | 17 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.294 |
| 1979 | ALCS | BAL | 4 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.182 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2B | 964 | 906 | 2004 | 2451 | 57 | 636 |
| 3B | 242 | 135 | 109 | 372 | 18 | 28 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | BAL | 2B | 10 | 8 | 22 | 22 | 0 | 7 |
| 1977 | BAL | 2B | 83 | 69 | 179 | 213 | 7 | 55 |
| 1977 | BAL | 3B | 9 | 5 | 3 | 20 | 0 | 1 |
| 1978 | BAL | 2B | 87 | 85 | 193 | 239 | 1 | 60 |
| 1978 | BAL | 3B | 52 | 30 | 29 | 82 | 6 | 9 |
| 1979 | BAL | 2B | 103 | 94 | 213 | 260 | 10 | 68 |
| 1979 | BAL | 3B | 44 | 37 | 21 | 95 | 7 | 4 |
| 1980 | BAL | 2B | 137 | 130 | 320 | 368 | 6 | 110 |
| 1980 | BAL | 3B | 35 | 16 | 14 | 50 | 2 | 5 |
| 1981 | BAL | 2B | 94 | 92 | 201 | 253 | 5 | 71 |
| 1981 | BAL | 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | BAL | 2B | 123 | 119 | 261 | 268 | 7 | 67 |
| 1982 | BAL | 3B | 61 | 34 | 28 | 86 | 1 | 8 |
| 1983 | BAL | 2B | 131 | 126 | 273 | 322 | 7 | 78 |
| 1983 | BAL | 3B | 17 | 5 | 7 | 11 | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 | BAL | 2B | 123 | 120 | 225 | 325 | 11 | 76 |
| 1984 | BAL | 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | BAL | 1B | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | BAL | 2B | 73 | 63 | 117 | 181 | 3 | 44 |
| 1985 | BAL | 3B | 17 | 8 | 7 | 21 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 1 |
| Second Base | 964 |
| Third Base | 243 |
| Designated Hitter | 3 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | BAL | AL | $480,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $480,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Bernardino Valley College | San Bernardino | CA | 1971, 1972 |
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | CA | 1973, 1974 |