Gary Kolb
Born: 3/13/1940 in Rock Falls, IL, USA
Died: 7/3/2019 in Charleston, WV, USA
MLB Debut: 1960-09-07 | Final Game: 1969-09-01
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 194 lbs
Full name: Gary Alan Kolb
Biography
Gary Kolb, born in 1940, was a professional baseball player who played in Major League Baseball from 1960 until 1969. Known primarily as a position player, Kolb appeared in 293 games throughout his career. While he faced challenges at the plate, finishing with a batting average of .209, he contributed to his teams with 94 hits, 6 home runs, and 29 RBIs. His speed on the bases was notable, as he recorded 10 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to impact the game beyond his offensive statistics.
Kolb's career unfolded during a transformative era in baseball, characterized by an evolving game that began to see more emphasis on speed and athleticism. Although he may not have been among the most celebrated players of his time, Kolb's role as a consistent presence in the outfield and his contributions to various teams highlighted the depth of talent in the league during the 1960s. After his retirement on September 1, 1969, Kolb remained a part of baseball history, representing a period of transition and the diverse skill sets that players brought to the game.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 293 | 450 | 63 | 94 | 9 | 6 | 6 | 29 | 10 | 46 | 104 | 0.209 | 0.281 | 0.296 | 0.577 | -467.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | STL | NL | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1962 | STL | NL | 6 | 14 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0.357 | 0.0 |
| 1963 | STL | NL | 75 | 96 | 23 | 26 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 10 | 2 | 22 | 26 | 0.271 | 557.9 |
| 1964 | ATL | NL | 36 | 64 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 0.188 | -329.1 |
| 1965 | ATL | NL | 24 | 27 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0.259 | 0.0 |
| 1965 | NYN | NL | 40 | 90 | 8 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 28 | 0.167 | 0.0 |
| 1968 | PIT | NL | 74 | 119 | 16 | 26 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 6 | 2 | 11 | 17 | 0.218 | -102.3 |
| 1969 | PIT | NL | 29 | 37 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0.081 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 2B | 7 | 7 | 7 | 10 | 2 | 1 |
| 3B | 13 | 7 | 6 | 14 | 4 | 3 |
| C | 20 | 7 | 54 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| OF | 147 | 71 | 157 | 7 | 6 | 2 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | SLN | OF | 2 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1962 | SLN | OF | 6 | 4 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1963 | SLN | C | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1963 | SLN | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1963 | SLN | OF | 58 | 20 | 50 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1964 | ML1 | C | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1964 | ML1 | 2B | 6 | 6 | 5 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| 1964 | ML1 | 3B | 7 | 4 | 3 | 8 | 2 | 1 |
| 1964 | ML1 | OF | 14 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1965 | ML1 | OF | 13 | 3 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1965 | NYN | 1B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1965 | NYN | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| 1965 | NYN | OF | 29 | 23 | 37 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| 1968 | PIT | C | 10 | 2 | 17 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1968 | PIT | 2B | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1968 | PIT | 3B | 4 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| 1968 | PIT | OF | 25 | 16 | 34 | 2 | 4 | 1 |
| 1969 | PIT | C | 7 | 5 | 29 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 19 |
| First Base | 1 |
| Second Base | 7 |
| Third Base | 13 |
| Left Field | 57 |
| Center Field | 18 |
| Right Field | 78 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign | Champaign | IL | 1960 |