Kelly Gruber, baseball player, 117 home runs, 1984-1993

Kelly Gruber

Born: 2/26/1962 in Houston, TX, USA

MLB Debut: 1984-04-20 | Final Game: 1993-06-29

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs

Full name: Kelly Wayne Gruber

Biography

Kelly Gruber was a prominent position player in Major League Baseball, playing from 1984 until 1993. Born in 1962, Gruber made a significant impact during his career, particularly as a third baseman. He participated in 939 games and recorded 818 hits, showcasing his ability to contribute offensively with a batting average of .259. Gruber displayed power at the plate, hitting 117 home runs and driving in 443 runs, while also demonstrating speed with 80 stolen bases. His all-around game earned him two All-Star selections, highlighting his status as one of the top players of his era. Gruber was an essential part of the Toronto Blue Jays during the late 1980s and early 1990s, a period characterized by the team's rise to prominence in the American League. His defensive skills, coupled with his offensive productivity, helped the Blue Jays secure their first World Series title in 1992. Gruber's contributions to the team during this transformative era in baseball history cemented his legacy as a key figure in the franchise's success. After his retirement on June 29, 1993, Gruber remained a respected figure in the baseball community, remembered for his versatility and competitive spirit on the field.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
939 3159 431 818 148 24 117 443 80 197 504 0.259 0.307 0.432 0.739 2045.0

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
22 79 8 15 3 0 2 8 7 14 0.190

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1992 WS TOR 6 19 2 2 0 0 1 1 2 5 0.105
1992 ALCS TOR 6 22 3 2 1 0 1 2 2 3 0.091
1991 ALCS TOR 5 21 1 6 1 0 0 4 0 4 0.286
1989 ALCS TOR 5 17 2 5 1 0 0 1 3 2 0.294

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
2B 29 8 22 36 3 10
3B 846 756 619 1651 107 110
OF 38 22 55 2 1 1
SS 29 8 23 34 2 7

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Second Base 30
Third Base 846
Shortstop 29
Left Field 8
Center Field 6
Right Field 25
Designated Hitter 21

Awards & Honors

Year Award Notes
1990 Gold Glove 3B
1990 Player of the Month September
1990 Player of the Week Week of 1990-09-15
1990 Player of the Week Week of 1990-04-28
1990 Silver Slugger 3B
1990 TSN All-Star 3B

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1993 CAL AL $4,333,334
1992 TOR AL $3,633,333
1991 TOR AL $3,033,333
1990 TOR AL $1,150,000
1989 TOR AL $462,500
1988 TOR AL $130,000
1987 TOR AL $96,000
1986 TOR AL $88,000
Total Career Earnings $12,926,500

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1990 Most Valuable Player AL 4th 175.0 392 0