Duane Josephson
Born: 6/3/1942 in New Hampton, IA, USA
Died: 1/30/1997 in New Hampton, IA, USA
MLB Debut: 1965-09-15 | Final Game: 1972-07-02
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Duane Charles Josephson
Biography
Duane Josephson, born in 1942, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball between 1965 and 1972. Primarily known as a position player, Josephson played a total of 470 games throughout his career, during which he recorded 388 hits and achieved a batting average of .258. He demonstrated a blend of power and consistency at the plate, hitting 23 home runs and driving in 164 runs, while also showcasing his speed with 4 stolen bases. His notable performance earned him an All-Star selection during his career, highlighting his status among the talented players of his era.
Josephson's career unfolded during a transformative time in baseball, with the game evolving significantly in terms of player development and strategy. While he played primarily as a catcher and outfielder, he contributed to his teams with a well-rounded skill set that included both hitting and defensive capabilities. His contributions on the field, coupled with his resilience and adaptability, left a lasting impact on the teams he represented, as he navigated the competitive landscape of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Josephson retired from professional baseball in 1972, leaving behind a legacy as a versatile player who made his mark in the major leagues.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 470 | 1505 | 147 | 388 | 58 | 12 | 23 | 164 | 4 | 92 | 174 | 0.258 | 0.303 | 0.358 | 0.661 | -512.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | CHW | AL | 4 | 9 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.111 | 0.0 |
| 1966 | CHW | AL | 11 | 38 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 0.237 | 0.0 |
| 1967 | CHW | AL | 62 | 189 | 11 | 45 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 6 | 24 | 0.238 | -541.5 |
| 1968 | CHW | AL | 128 | 434 | 35 | 107 | 16 | 6 | 6 | 45 | 2 | 18 | 52 | 0.247 | -173.3 |
| 1969 | CHW | AL | 52 | 162 | 19 | 39 | 6 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 0 | 13 | 17 | 0.241 | -318.1 |
| 1970 | CHW | AL | 96 | 285 | 28 | 90 | 12 | 1 | 4 | 41 | 0 | 24 | 28 | 0.316 | 519.0 |
| 1971 | BOS | AL | 91 | 306 | 38 | 75 | 14 | 1 | 10 | 39 | 2 | 22 | 35 | 0.245 | -29.3 |
| 1972 | BOS | AL | 26 | 82 | 11 | 22 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 4 | 11 | 0.268 | 30.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 16 | 15 | 137 | 9 | 3 | 8 |
| C | 420 | 386 | 2109 | 216 | 25 | 32 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1965 | CHA | C | 4 | 3 | 21 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1966 | CHA | C | 11 | 11 | 66 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| 1967 | CHA | C | 59 | 53 | 292 | 24 | 0 | 3 |
| 1968 | CHA | C | 122 | 113 | 641 | 86 | 7 | 15 |
| 1969 | CHA | C | 47 | 41 | 227 | 27 | 4 | 1 |
| 1970 | CHA | C | 84 | 73 | 353 | 38 | 6 | 7 |
| 1971 | BOS | C | 87 | 86 | 491 | 32 | 6 | 5 |
| 1972 | BOS | C | 6 | 6 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1972 | BOS | 1B | 16 | 15 | 137 | 9 | 3 | 8 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 418 |
| First Base | 16 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Northern Iowa | Cedar Falls | IA | 1962, 1963, 1964 |