Rusty Kuntz
Born: 2/4/1955 in Orange, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1979-09-01 | Final Game: 1985-04-24
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Russell Jay Kuntz
Biography
Rusty Kuntz, born in 1955, was an American professional baseball player who enjoyed a career in Major League Baseball from 1979 to 1985. Primarily a position player, Kuntz played in a total of 277 games during his time in the league, showcasing his versatility on the field. He recorded 104 hits, contributing to a career batting average of .236. Throughout his tenure, he hit 5 home runs and drove in 38 runs, while also demonstrating a degree of speed with 5 stolen bases.
Kuntz played in an era characterized by a transition in baseball styles, moving from the more traditional approaches of the 1970s into the evolving strategies of the 1980s. While his statistical contributions may not have placed him among the league's stars, his role as a reliable player off the bench and in various outfield positions was valued by his teams. Kuntz's career spanned several teams, including the Chicago White Sox and the Kansas City Royals, where he became known for his hustle and commitment to the game. After retiring, he continued to be involved in baseball, contributing his experience and knowledge to the next generation of players.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 277 | 441 | 75 | 104 | 23 | 0 | 5 | 38 | 5 | 60 | 106 | 0.236 | 0.328 | 0.322 | 0.650 | -105.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | CHW | AL | 5 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 6 | 0.091 | 0.0 |
| 1980 | CHW | AL | 36 | 62 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 0.226 | -200.6 |
| 1981 | CHW | AL | 67 | 55 | 15 | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 8 | 0.255 | -50.9 |
| 1982 | CHW | AL | 21 | 26 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0.192 | 0.0 |
| 1983 | CHW | AL | 28 | 42 | 6 | 11 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 0.262 | 0.0 |
| 1983 | MIN | AL | 31 | 100 | 13 | 19 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 0 | 12 | 28 | 0.190 | 0.0 |
| 1984 | DET | AL | 84 | 140 | 32 | 40 | 12 | 0 | 2 | 22 | 2 | 25 | 28 | 0.286 | 447.5 |
| 1985 | DET | AL | 5 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | WS | DET | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
| 1984 | ALCS | DET | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| OF | 235 | 110 | 312 | 8 | 4 | 4 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | CHA | OF | 5 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1980 | CHA | OF | 34 | 16 | 45 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1981 | CHA | OF | 51 | 8 | 54 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | CHA | OF | 21 | 6 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | CHA | OF | 27 | 14 | 40 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1983 | MIN | OF | 30 | 27 | 66 | 3 | 1 | 1 |
| 1984 | DET | OF | 67 | 35 | 74 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1985 | DET | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 63 |
| Center Field | 119 |
| Right Field | 63 |
| Designated Hitter | 26 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuesta College | San Luis Obispo | CA | 1974, 1975 |
| California State University Stanislaus | Turlock | CA | 1976, 1977 |