Duane Kuiper
Born: 6/19/1950 in Racine, WI, USA
MLB Debut: 1974-09-09 | Final Game: 1985-06-27
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Duane Eugene Kuiper
Biography
Duane Kuiper was a notable figure in Major League Baseball, playing as a position player from 1974 until his retirement in 1985. Born in 1950, Kuiper enjoyed a career that spanned over a decade, during which he appeared in 1,057 games. He was known for his solid batting average of .271, showcasing his ability to make consistent contact at the plate. While Kuiper hit only one home run throughout his career, he contributed significantly to his teams with 263 RBIs and 52 stolen bases, reflecting his capability as a versatile player who could impact the game in multiple ways.
Kuiper played primarily for the San Francisco Giants and the Chicago White Sox, and he became well-regarded for his defensive skills and baseball intelligence. His era in the league coincided with a transition period in baseball, marked by a growing emphasis on speed and contact hitting. Kuiper's playing style was characterized by his ability to get on base and move around the bases effectively, exemplifying the skill set valued during the mid-1970s to early 1980s. After retiring, he transitioned into broadcasting, where he became known for his insightful commentary and deep love for the game, further solidifying his legacy in baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1057 | 3379 | 329 | 917 | 91 | 29 | 1 | 263 | 52 | 248 | 255 | 0.271 | 0.325 | 0.316 | 0.641 | -5957.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | CLE | AL | 10 | 22 | 7 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0.500 | 0.0 |
| 1975 | CLE | AL | 90 | 346 | 42 | 101 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 25 | 19 | 30 | 26 | 0.292 | 68.4 |
| 1976 | CLE | AL | 135 | 506 | 47 | 133 | 13 | 6 | 0 | 37 | 10 | 30 | 42 | 0.263 | -965.4 |
| 1977 | CLE | AL | 148 | 610 | 62 | 169 | 15 | 8 | 1 | 50 | 11 | 37 | 55 | 0.277 | -1198.9 |
| 1978 | CLE | AL | 149 | 547 | 52 | 155 | 18 | 6 | 0 | 43 | 4 | 19 | 35 | 0.283 | -886.7 |
| 1979 | CLE | AL | 140 | 479 | 46 | 122 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 39 | 4 | 37 | 27 | 0.255 | -1455.8 |
| 1980 | CLE | AL | 42 | 149 | 10 | 42 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 0 | 13 | 8 | 0.282 | -177.2 |
| 1981 | CLE | AL | 72 | 206 | 15 | 53 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 1 | 8 | 13 | 0.257 | -617.4 |
| 1982 | SFG | NL | 107 | 218 | 26 | 61 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 2 | 32 | 24 | 0.280 | 124.6 |
| 1983 | SFG | NL | 72 | 176 | 14 | 44 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 0 | 27 | 13 | 0.250 | -222.8 |
| 1984 | SFG | NL | 83 | 115 | 8 | 23 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 12 | 10 | 0.200 | -625.8 |
| 1985 | SFG | NL | 9 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0.600 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 6 | 2 | 24 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 2B | 920 | 865 | 2000 | 2466 | 76 | 551 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | CLE | 2B | 8 | 5 | 16 | 19 | 0 | 3 |
| 1975 | CLE | 2B | 87 | 87 | 192 | 230 | 12 | 65 |
| 1976 | CLE | 1B | 5 | 2 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 1976 | CLE | 2B | 128 | 119 | 300 | 365 | 9 | 92 |
| 1977 | CLE | 2B | 148 | 148 | 334 | 449 | 12 | 104 |
| 1978 | CLE | 2B | 149 | 149 | 341 | 408 | 16 | 91 |
| 1979 | CLE | 2B | 140 | 137 | 345 | 380 | 9 | 89 |
| 1980 | CLE | 2B | 42 | 42 | 87 | 111 | 1 | 28 |
| 1981 | CLE | 2B | 72 | 59 | 118 | 174 | 5 | 24 |
| 1982 | SFN | 2B | 51 | 44 | 101 | 124 | 5 | 24 |
| 1983 | SFN | 2B | 64 | 57 | 107 | 140 | 3 | 17 |
| 1984 | SFN | 1B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | SFN | 2B | 31 | 18 | 59 | 66 | 4 | 14 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 6 |
| Second Base | 920 |
| Designated Hitter | 3 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Player of the Week | Week of 1976-07-30 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Hills Community College | Centerville | IA | 1969, 1970 |
| Southern Illinois University Carbondale | Carbondale | IL | 1971 |