Gene Michael
Born: 6/2/1938 in Kent, OH, USA
Died: 9/7/2017 in Oldsmar, FL, USA
MLB Debut: 1966-07-15 | Final Game: 1975-09-09
Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 183 lbs
Full name: Eugene Richard Michael
Biography
Gene Michael, born in 1938, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1966 until 1975. Primarily known as a position player, Michael appeared in 973 games throughout his career, accumulating 642 hits, 15 home runs, and 226 RBIs. His batting average stood at .229, reflecting the challenges of an era characterized by strong pitching and defensive play. He also demonstrated notable speed on the bases, recording 22 stolen bases during his time in the league.
Michael's career unfolded during a transitional period in baseball, as the sport was evolving with the introduction of more dynamic players and strategies. While he may not have been a superstar, his contributions to the teams he played for, including the New York Yankees, were significant, especially in the context of team dynamics and depth. After retiring as a player, Michael would later become a successful executive and manager, further influencing the game and mentoring future generations of players. His legacy is marked not only by his on-field statistics but also by his lasting impact on the sport.
Career Pitching Statistics
| W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | HR | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.00 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Pitching
| Year | Team | Lg | W | L | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | ER | BB | SO | ERA | Pitcher PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1968 | NYY | AL | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3.0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.00 | - |
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 973 | 2806 | 249 | 642 | 86 | 12 | 15 | 226 | 22 | 234 | 421 | 0.229 | 0.288 | 0.284 | 0.572 | -8254.6 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | PIT | NL | 30 | 33 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0.152 | 0.0 |
| 1967 | LAD | NL | 98 | 223 | 20 | 45 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 1 | 11 | 30 | 0.202 | -1108.1 |
| 1968 | NYY | AL | 61 | 116 | 8 | 23 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 23 | 0.198 | -503.9 |
| 1969 | NYY | AL | 119 | 412 | 41 | 112 | 24 | 4 | 2 | 31 | 7 | 43 | 56 | 0.272 | 194.1 |
| 1970 | NYY | AL | 134 | 435 | 42 | 93 | 10 | 1 | 2 | 38 | 3 | 50 | 93 | 0.214 | -1874.4 |
| 1971 | NYY | AL | 139 | 456 | 36 | 102 | 15 | 0 | 3 | 35 | 3 | 48 | 64 | 0.224 | -1249.9 |
| 1972 | NYY | AL | 126 | 391 | 29 | 91 | 7 | 4 | 1 | 32 | 4 | 32 | 45 | 0.233 | -1020.1 |
| 1973 | NYY | AL | 129 | 418 | 30 | 94 | 11 | 1 | 3 | 47 | 1 | 26 | 51 | 0.225 | -1801.6 |
| 1974 | NYY | AL | 81 | 177 | 19 | 46 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 13 | 0 | 14 | 24 | 0.260 | -309.8 |
| 1975 | DET | AL | 56 | 145 | 15 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 13 | 0 | 8 | 28 | 0.214 | -580.9 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 57 | 48 | 107 | 139 | 6 | 35 |
| 3B | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| P | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 844 | 754 | 1402 | 2576 | 155 | 489 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | PIT | 2B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1966 | PIT | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1966 | PIT | SS | 8 | 4 | 9 | 19 | 3 | 7 |
| 1967 | LAN | SS | 83 | 66 | 117 | 204 | 17 | 30 |
| 1968 | NYA | P | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1968 | NYA | SS | 43 | 37 | 67 | 103 | 11 | 15 |
| 1969 | NYA | SS | 118 | 112 | 205 | 365 | 19 | 64 |
| 1970 | NYA | 2B | 3 | 3 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 1 |
| 1970 | NYA | 3B | 4 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1970 | NYA | SS | 123 | 120 | 248 | 379 | 28 | 78 |
| 1971 | NYA | SS | 136 | 128 | 243 | 474 | 20 | 88 |
| 1972 | NYA | SS | 121 | 116 | 218 | 437 | 21 | 89 |
| 1973 | NYA | SS | 129 | 127 | 208 | 433 | 23 | 84 |
| 1974 | NYA | 2B | 45 | 39 | 86 | 106 | 6 | 29 |
| 1974 | NYA | 3B | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1974 | NYA | SS | 39 | 13 | 35 | 63 | 3 | 11 |
| 1975 | DET | 2B | 7 | 6 | 9 | 23 | 0 | 5 |
| 1975 | DET | 3B | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1975 | DET | SS | 44 | 31 | 52 | 99 | 10 | 23 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Pitcher | 1 |
| Second Base | 58 |
| Third Base | 11 |
| Shortstop | 844 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent State University | Kent | OH | 1958 |