Steve Hovley
Born: 12/18/1944 in Ventura, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1969-06-26 | Final Game: 1973-09-28
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 188 lbs
Full name: Stephen Eugene Hovley
Biography
Steve Hovley, born in 1944, was a professional baseball player who played as a position player from 1969 to 1973. Over the course of his career, Hovley participated in 436 games, where he showcased his skills primarily as an outfielder. He recorded a total of 263 hits, achieving a batting average of .258, which reflects his ability to contribute offensively during a competitive era in Major League Baseball that bridged the late 1960s and early 1970s.
Hovley was known for his speed on the bases, finishing his career with 29 stolen bases, a notable achievement for a player of his time. He also hit 8 home runs and drove in 88 runs, demonstrating his capacity to produce runs for his teams. While he may not have been a household name, Hovley played an important role in the clubs he represented, contributing to the dynamic of the game during a transitional period marked by a focus on speed and athleticism. His journey through the major leagues provides a glimpse into the life of a dedicated player navigating the challenges and opportunities of professional baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 436 | 1019 | 122 | 263 | 39 | 5 | 8 | 88 | 29 | 116 | 128 | 0.258 | 0.335 | 0.330 | 0.665 | -331.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | SE1 | AL | 91 | 329 | 41 | 91 | 14 | 3 | 3 | 20 | 10 | 30 | 34 | 0.277 | 128.6 |
| 1970 | ATL | AL | 40 | 135 | 17 | 38 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 5 | 17 | 11 | 0.281 | 66.7 |
| 1970 | OAK | AL | 72 | 100 | 8 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 11 | 0.190 | 66.7 |
| 1971 | OAK | AL | 24 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 0.111 | 0.0 |
| 1972 | KCR | AL | 105 | 196 | 24 | 53 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 24 | 3 | 24 | 29 | 0.270 | 281.7 |
| 1973 | KCR | AL | 104 | 232 | 29 | 59 | 8 | 1 | 2 | 24 | 6 | 33 | 34 | 0.254 | -109.1 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 322 | 199 | 533 | 21 | 10 | 5 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1969 | SE1 | OF | 84 | 76 | 175 | 8 | 2 | 3 |
| 1970 | ML4 | OF | 38 | 34 | 68 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
| 1970 | OAK | OF | 42 | 12 | 58 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1971 | OAK | OF | 11 | 4 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1972 | KCA | OF | 68 | 34 | 103 | 6 | 2 | 0 |
| 1973 | KCA | OF | 79 | 39 | 114 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 24 |
| Center Field | 122 |
| Right Field | 189 |
| Designated Hitter | 15 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stanford University | Palo Alto | CA | 1965, 1966 |