Steve Kemp
Born: 8/7/1954 in San Angelo, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 1977-04-07 | Final Game: 1988-05-24
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 195 lbs
Full name: Steven F. Kemp
Biography
Steve Kemp was a notable position player in Major League Baseball who played from 1977 until his retirement in 1988. Born in 1954, Kemp made a significant impact during his career, appearing in 1,168 games and compiling 1,128 hits, which translated to a solid batting average of .278. Known for his powerful hitting, he belted 130 home runs and drove in 634 runs over the course of his career. Additionally, Kemp showcased his speed on the bases, accumulating 39 stolen bases, a testament to his all-around offensive abilities.
Kemp's career included an All-Star selection, marking a highlight in his professional journey. He played during a transformative period in baseball, which saw the transition from the more traditional styles of play to a game that increasingly emphasized power and athleticism. His contributions to various teams, including the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, and New York Yankees, solidified his reputation as a reliable player during the late 1970s and 1980s, an era characterized by intense competition and evolving strategies in the sport. Steve Kemp's legacy remains a point of interest for baseball enthusiasts and historians alike, reflecting the dynamic nature of the game during his playing years.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1168 | 4058 | 581 | 1128 | 179 | 25 | 130 | 634 | 39 | 576 | 605 | 0.278 | 0.367 | 0.431 | 0.797 | 10969.6 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | DET | AL | 151 | 552 | 75 | 142 | 29 | 4 | 18 | 88 | 3 | 71 | 93 | 0.257 | 608.2 |
| 1978 | DET | AL | 159 | 582 | 75 | 161 | 18 | 4 | 15 | 79 | 2 | 97 | 87 | 0.277 | 1665.4 |
| 1979 | DET | AL | 134 | 490 | 88 | 156 | 26 | 3 | 26 | 105 | 5 | 68 | 70 | 0.318 | 2959.8 |
| 1980 | DET | AL | 135 | 508 | 88 | 149 | 23 | 3 | 21 | 101 | 5 | 69 | 64 | 0.293 | 2028.9 |
| 1981 | DET | AL | 105 | 372 | 52 | 103 | 18 | 4 | 9 | 49 | 9 | 70 | 48 | 0.277 | 1437.7 |
| 1982 | CHW | AL | 160 | 580 | 91 | 166 | 23 | 1 | 19 | 98 | 7 | 89 | 83 | 0.286 | 1918.1 |
| 1983 | NYY | AL | 109 | 373 | 53 | 90 | 17 | 3 | 12 | 49 | 1 | 41 | 37 | 0.241 | 38.2 |
| 1984 | NYY | AL | 94 | 313 | 37 | 91 | 12 | 1 | 7 | 41 | 4 | 40 | 54 | 0.291 | 627.1 |
| 1985 | PIT | NL | 92 | 236 | 19 | 59 | 13 | 2 | 2 | 21 | 1 | 25 | 54 | 0.250 | -313.8 |
| 1986 | PIT | NL | 13 | 16 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 0.188 | 0.0 |
| 1988 | TEX | AL | 16 | 36 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 9 | 0.222 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| OF | 1004 | 978 | 1962 | 55 | 37 | 12 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | DET | OF | 148 | 147 | 252 | 10 | 5 | 1 |
| 1978 | DET | OF | 157 | 156 | 325 | 11 | 8 | 2 |
| 1979 | DET | OF | 120 | 117 | 229 | 12 | 6 | 2 |
| 1980 | DET | OF | 85 | 84 | 197 | 4 | 1 | 3 |
| 1981 | DET | OF | 92 | 92 | 207 | 4 | 3 | 0 |
| 1982 | CHA | OF | 154 | 154 | 280 | 6 | 7 | 1 |
| 1983 | NYA | OF | 101 | 92 | 215 | 5 | 3 | 3 |
| 1984 | NYA | OF | 75 | 70 | 138 | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| 1985 | PIT | OF | 63 | 61 | 105 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | PIT | OF | 4 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | TEX | 1B | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | TEX | OF | 5 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 925 |
| Right Field | 89 |
| Designated Hitter | 92 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Player of the Week | Week of 1984-06-01 |
| 1980 | Player of the Week | Week of 1980-09-19 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1987 | NYA | AL | $1,320,000 |
| 1986 | NYA | AL | $1,220,000 |
| 1985 | NYA | AL | $1,420,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $3,960,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Southern California | Los Angeles | CA | 1973, 1974, 1975 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 23th | 3.0 | 392 | 0 |
| 1979 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 17th | 15.0 | 392 | 0 |