Roger Metzger
Born: 10/10/1947 in Fredericksburg, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 1970-06-16 | Final Game: 1980-08-10
Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 165 lbs
Full name: Roger Henry Metzger
Biography
Roger Metzger was a professional baseball player born in 1947, who graced Major League Baseball (MLB) fields from 1970 until his retirement on August 10, 1980. Primarily serving as a position player, Metzger made a significant impact during his career, which spanned over a decade. He played in a total of 1,219 games, where he recorded 972 hits, contributing to a career batting average of .231. Known for his defensive skills and speed on the bases, Metzger amassed 83 stolen bases and drove in 254 runs, while hitting five home runs throughout his time in the league.
Metzger played during a transitional period in baseball, where the game began to shift towards a more offensive style, yet he carved out a niche for himself as a reliable utility infielder. His contributions to teams such as the Houston Astros and the San Francisco Giants were marked by his versatility and ability to perform in clutch situations, despite not being a power hitter. Metzger's career reflects the evolution of baseball in the 1970s, showcasing the importance of speed and defense in an era that increasingly celebrated home runs and offensive prowess. His legacy remains as a testament to the value of all-around players who contributed to their teams in various capacities.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1219 | 4201 | 453 | 972 | 101 | 71 | 5 | 254 | 83 | 355 | 449 | 0.231 | 0.291 | 0.293 | 0.584 | -12370.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | CHC | NL | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1971 | HOU | NL | 150 | 562 | 64 | 132 | 14 | 11 | 0 | 26 | 15 | 44 | 50 | 0.235 | -1432.6 |
| 1972 | HOU | NL | 153 | 641 | 84 | 142 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 38 | 23 | 60 | 71 | 0.222 | -2038.7 |
| 1973 | HOU | NL | 154 | 580 | 67 | 145 | 11 | 14 | 1 | 35 | 10 | 39 | 70 | 0.250 | -1442.5 |
| 1974 | HOU | NL | 143 | 572 | 66 | 145 | 18 | 10 | 0 | 30 | 9 | 37 | 73 | 0.253 | -1322.4 |
| 1975 | HOU | NL | 127 | 450 | 54 | 102 | 7 | 9 | 2 | 26 | 4 | 41 | 39 | 0.227 | -1485.9 |
| 1976 | HOU | NL | 152 | 481 | 37 | 101 | 13 | 8 | 0 | 29 | 1 | 52 | 63 | 0.210 | -1664.8 |
| 1977 | HOU | NL | 97 | 269 | 24 | 50 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 16 | 2 | 32 | 24 | 0.186 | -1359.6 |
| 1978 | HOU | NL | 45 | 123 | 11 | 27 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 9 | 0.220 | -423.3 |
| 1978 | SFG | NL | 75 | 235 | 17 | 61 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 17 | 8 | 12 | 17 | 0.260 | -423.3 |
| 1979 | SFG | NL | 94 | 259 | 24 | 65 | 7 | 8 | 0 | 31 | 11 | 23 | 31 | 0.251 | -531.7 |
| 1980 | SFG | NL | 28 | 27 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 2 | 0.074 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 15 | 7 | 19 | 26 | 0 | 4 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 1173 | 1126 | 1845 | 3535 | 135 | 671 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | CHN | SS | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| 1971 | HOU | SS | 148 | 145 | 275 | 459 | 17 | 91 |
| 1972 | HOU | SS | 153 | 153 | 238 | 504 | 22 | 101 |
| 1973 | HOU | SS | 149 | 146 | 231 | 429 | 12 | 83 |
| 1974 | HOU | SS | 143 | 143 | 238 | 451 | 17 | 85 |
| 1975 | HOU | SS | 126 | 123 | 186 | 441 | 15 | 83 |
| 1976 | HOU | 2B | 2 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 1976 | HOU | SS | 150 | 149 | 253 | 462 | 10 | 93 |
| 1977 | HOU | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1977 | HOU | SS | 96 | 86 | 130 | 260 | 11 | 45 |
| 1978 | HOU | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1978 | HOU | SS | 42 | 38 | 59 | 103 | 6 | 21 |
| 1978 | SFN | SS | 74 | 67 | 112 | 184 | 8 | 30 |
| 1979 | SFN | 2B | 10 | 5 | 14 | 18 | 0 | 4 |
| 1979 | SFN | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1979 | SFN | SS | 78 | 68 | 108 | 219 | 15 | 34 |
| 1980 | SFN | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980 | SFN | SS | 13 | 7 | 14 | 19 | 1 | 4 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 15 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Shortstop | 1172 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Gold Glove | SS |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Edward's University | Austin | TX | 1967, 1968, 1969 |