Paul Molitor, baseball player, 234 home runs, 1978-1998

Paul Molitor

⭐ Hall of Fame 2004

Born: 8/22/1956 in St. Paul, MN, USA

MLB Debut: 1978-04-07 | Final Game: 1998-09-27

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 185 lbs

Full name: Paul Leo Molitor

Biography

Paul Molitor, born in 1956, was a distinguished Major League Baseball player whose career spanned from 1978 to 1998. Renowned for his combination of speed, hitting prowess, and versatility, Molitor played a pivotal role in the evolution of the game during an era characterized by offensive explosion and the increasing importance of athleticism on the diamond. Over his two-decade career, he appeared in 2,683 games, amassing an impressive 3,319 hits and achieving a batting average of .306. His offensive contributions included 234 home runs and 1,307 RBIs, complemented by 504 stolen bases, showcasing his ability to impact the game in multiple ways. Molitor's accolades included being named the TSN Rookie Player of the Year and earning the World Series MVP award, underlining his clutch performances on the biggest stages. He was selected as an All-Star seven times throughout his career, reflecting his standing among the elite players of his time. His contributions to the game culminated in his induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004, solidifying his legacy as one of the premier position players in baseball history. Molitor's blend of power, speed, and consistent hitting made him a key figure in the game, influencing future generations of players.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
2683 10835 1782 3319 605 114 234 1307 504 1094 1244 0.306 0.369 0.448 0.817 28856.8

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
29 117 28 43 5 3 6 22 12 15 0.368

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1993 WS TOR 6 24 10 12 2 2 2 8 3 0 0.500
1993 ALCS TOR 6 23 7 9 2 1 1 5 3 3 0.391
1982 WS ML4 7 31 5 11 0 0 0 3 2 4 0.355
1982 ALCS ML4 5 19 4 6 1 0 2 5 2 3 0.316
1981 AEDIV ML4 5 20 2 5 0 0 1 1 2 5 0.250

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
1B 197 196 1716 127 18 169
2B 400 392 926 1274 48 279
3B 791 788 642 1639 121 185
OF 50 51 123 5 3 1
SS 57 54 99 196 18 30

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
First Base 197
Second Base 400
Third Base 792
Shortstop 57
Left Field 4
Center Field 42
Right Field 4
Designated Hitter 1174

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1998 MIN AL $4,250,000
1997 MIN AL $3,500,000
1996 MIN AL $2,025,000
1995 TOR AL $4,500,000
1994 TOR AL $4,025,000
1993 TOR AL $3,650,000
1992 ML4 AL $3,453,333
1991 ML4 AL $3,243,333
1990 ML4 AL $2,600,000
1989 ML4 AL $2,100,000
1988 ML4 AL $1,400,000
1987 ML4 AL $1,260,000
1986 ML4 AL $1,160,000
1985 ML4 AL $950,000
Total Career Earnings $38,116,666

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
University of Minnesota Minneapolis MN 1975, 1976, 1977

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1996 Most Valuable Player AL 13th 19.0 392 0
1994 Most Valuable Player AL 18th 9.0 392 0
1993 Most Valuable Player AL 2nd 209.0 392 0
1992 Most Valuable Player AL 10th 63.0 392 0
1991 Most Valuable Player AL 11th 51.0 392 0
1988 Most Valuable Player AL 8th 50.0 392 0
1987 Most Valuable Player AL 5th 125.0 392 0
1982 Most Valuable Player AL 12th 29.0 392 0
1979 Most Valuable Player AL 20th 8.0 392 0
1978 Rookie of the Year AL 2nd 3.0 28 3