Benny Distefano
Born: 1/23/1962 in Brooklyn, NY, USA
MLB Debut: 1984-05-18 | Final Game: 1992-08-05
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 195 lbs
Full name: Benito James Distefano
Biography
Benny Distefano was a professional baseball player who played as a position player from 1984 to 1992. Born in 1962, Distefano made his Major League Baseball debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates and later played for the New York Mets and the Detroit Tigers during his career. Over the course of 240 games, he recorded 82 hits, including 7 home runs and 42 RBIs, while maintaining a batting average of .228. Known for his versatile playing style, Distefano contributed to his teams in various roles, showcasing adaptability that was valuable during the competitive landscape of the late 1980s and early 1990s.
Distefano's career unfolded during an era marked by significant changes in baseball, including the gradual integration of players and evolving playing styles. Although he may not have been a household name, Distefano's contributions on the field were part of the larger narrative of the game during a time when the sport was experiencing a transition towards more power-hitting players. His journey through the major leagues reflected the perseverance often required to succeed in professional baseball, and his legacy remains a testament to the determination of many athletes who strive to make their mark in the sport.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 240 | 360 | 35 | 82 | 13 | 5 | 7 | 42 | 1 | 31 | 66 | 0.228 | 0.296 | 0.350 | 0.646 | -447.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | PIT | NL | 45 | 78 | 10 | 13 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 0.167 | -278.5 |
| 1986 | PIT | NL | 31 | 39 | 3 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 0.179 | 0.0 |
| 1988 | PIT | NL | 16 | 29 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 0.345 | 0.0 |
| 1989 | PIT | NL | 96 | 154 | 12 | 38 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 15 | 1 | 17 | 30 | 0.247 | -33.6 |
| 1992 | HOU | NL | 52 | 60 | 4 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 14 | 0.233 | -135.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 77 | 39 | 418 | 28 | 7 | 31 |
| C | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 44 | 23 | 66 | 3 | 2 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | PIT | 1B | 17 | 2 | 55 | 7 | 1 | 5 |
| 1984 | PIT | OF | 20 | 11 | 33 | 2 | 2 | 1 |
| 1986 | PIT | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | PIT | OF | 9 | 5 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | PIT | 1B | 5 | 5 | 38 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1988 | PIT | OF | 2 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | PIT | C | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | PIT | 1B | 48 | 30 | 302 | 16 | 6 | 21 |
| 1989 | PIT | OF | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1992 | HOU | 1B | 6 | 2 | 23 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 1992 | HOU | OF | 12 | 5 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 3 |
| First Base | 77 |
| Left Field | 14 |
| Right Field | 32 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | PIT | NL | $85,000 |
| 1986 | PIT | NL | $66,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $151,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alvin Community College | Alvin | TX | 1981 |