Paul Molitor
Designated Hitter · Career Stats, Hall of Fame Bio & Records (1978-1998)
Paul Molitor was a designated hitter who played in Major League Baseball from 1978 to 1998 for the Milwaukee Brewers, the Toronto Blue Jays, and the Minnesota Twins, a span of 21 seasons. In 2,683 career games, he hit .306 with 3,319 hits, 234 home runs, and 1,307 RBI. Paul Molitor was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004 and was a 7-time All-Star, a World Series MVP, a 4-time Silver Slugger, and a Babe Ruth Award. His career PIV — Baseball Data Hub's era-adjusted measure of offensive impact — is 29,073.
- AVG (Batting Average):
- Hits divided by at bats. .300 is the traditional mark of an excellent hitter.
- HR (Home Runs):
- Hits on which the batter circled the bases and scored, almost always by clearing the outfield fence.
- RBI (Runs Batted In):
- Runs that scored as a direct result of a batter's plate appearance.
- OPS (On-Base Plus Slugging):
- On-base percentage plus slugging percentage, the quickest single summary of offensive value. .900 or better is star-level.
Data updated
- Position
- Designated Hitter
- Bats / Throws
- R / R
- Height / Weight
- 6'0" / 185 lb
- MLB Debut
- 1978-04-07
- Last Game
- 1998-09-27
- Hall of Fame
- Inducted 2004 (BBWAA)
- Awards
- 7× All-Star · World Series MVP · 4× Silver Slugger · Babe Ruth Award
Full name: Paul Leo Molitor
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,683 | 10,835 | 1,782 | 3,319 | 605 | 114 | 234 | 1,307 | 504 | 1,094 | 1,244 | .306 | .369 | .448 | .817 | 29,073 |
Career AVG .306 vs. league average .261 across their career seasons — +17.2% above league average.
Career OBP .369 vs. league average .328 across their career seasons — +12.6% above league average.
Career SLG .448 vs. league average .396 across their career seasons — +13.1% above league average.
Career OPS .817 vs. league average .724 across their career seasons — +12.8% above league average.
Season-by-Season Batting
Click a stat to plot it across every season.
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | Lg AVG | Lg OBP | Lg SLG | Lg OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | ML4 | AL | 125 | 521 | 73 | 142 | 26 | 4 | 6 | 45 | 30 | 19 | 54 | .273 | .257 (+6%) | .323 (-7%) | .378 (-2%) | .702 (-4%) | -460.6 |
| 1979 | ML4 | AL | 140 | 584 | 88 | 188 | 27 | 16 | 9 | 62 | 33 | 48 | 48 | .322 | .265 (+21%) | .329 (+13%) | .397 (+18%) | .727 (+16%) | 1762.1 |
| 1980 | ML4 | AL | 111 | 450 | 81 | 137 | 29 | 2 | 9 | 37 | 34 | 48 | 48 | .304 | .264 (+15%) | .326 (+14%) | .387 (+13%) | .714 (+13%) | 1209.4 |
| 1981 | ML4 | AL | 64 | 251 | 45 | 67 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 19 | 10 | 25 | 29 | .267 | .255 (+4%) | .320 (+6%) | .368 (-9%) | .688 (-2%) | 5.7 |
| 1982 | ML4 | AL | 160 | 666 | 136 | 201 | 26 | 8 | 19 | 71 | 41 | 69 | 93 | .302 | .261 (+16%) | .324 (+13%) | .388 (+16%) | .712 (+15%) | 2029.5 |
| 1983 | ML4 | AL | 152 | 608 | 95 | 164 | 28 | 6 | 15 | 47 | 41 | 59 | 74 | .270 | .260 (+3%) | .324 (+3%) | .389 (+5%) | .714 (+4%) | 469.2 |
| 1984 | ML4 | AL | 13 | 46 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 8 | .217 | — | — | — | — | 0.0 |
| 1985 | ML4 | AL | 140 | 576 | 93 | 171 | 28 | 3 | 10 | 48 | 21 | 54 | 80 | .297 | .257 (+15%) | .323 (+10%) | .390 (+4%) | .714 (+7%) | 866.3 |
| 1986 | ML4 | AL | 105 | 437 | 62 | 123 | 24 | 6 | 9 | 55 | 20 | 40 | 81 | .281 | .257 (+9%) | .325 (+4%) | .395 (+8%) | .720 (+6%) | 456.6 |
| 1987 | ML4 | AL | 118 | 465 | 114 | 164 | 41 | 5 | 16 | 75 | 45 | 69 | 67 | .353 | .262 (+34%) | .331 (+32%) | .415 (+36%) | .746 (+34%) | 3394.8 |
| 1988 | ML4 | AL | 154 | 609 | 115 | 190 | 34 | 6 | 13 | 60 | 41 | 71 | 54 | .312 | .254 (+23%) | .317 (+21%) | .377 (+20%) | .695 (+20%) | 2585.0 |
| 1989 | ML4 | AL | 155 | 615 | 84 | 194 | 35 | 4 | 11 | 56 | 27 | 64 | 67 | .315 | .254 (+24%) | .319 (+18%) | .375 (+17%) | .694 (+18%) | 2238.3 |
| 1990 | ML4 | AL | 103 | 418 | 64 | 119 | 27 | 6 | 12 | 45 | 18 | 37 | 51 | .285 | .257 (+10%) | .324 (+6%) | .385 (+20%) | .710 (+14%) | 974.5 |
| 1991 | ML4 | AL | 158 | 665 | 133 | 216 | 32 | 13 | 17 | 75 | 19 | 77 | 62 | .325 | .255 (+27%) | .323 (+23%) | .384 (+27%) | .708 (+25%) | 3578.3 |
| 1992 | ML4 | AL | 158 | 609 | 89 | 195 | 36 | 7 | 12 | 89 | 31 | 73 | 66 | .320 | .255 (+25%) | .322 (+21%) | .377 (+22%) | .699 (+22%) | 2717.7 |
| 1993 | TOR | AL | 160 | 636 | 121 | 211 | 37 | 5 | 22 | 111 | 22 | 77 | 71 | .332 | .265 (+25%) | .332 (+21%) | .403 (+26%) | .735 (+24%) | 3307.6 |
| 1994 | TOR | AL | 115 | 454 | 86 | 155 | 30 | 4 | 14 | 75 | 20 | 55 | 48 | .341 | .269 (+27%) | .338 (+21%) | .424 (+22%) | .763 (+22%) | 2070.2 |
| 1995 | TOR | AL | 130 | 525 | 63 | 142 | 31 | 2 | 15 | 60 | 12 | 61 | 57 | .270 | .266 (+1%) | .337 (+3%) | .417 (+1%) | .755 (+2%) | 302.2 |
| 1996 | MIN | AL | 161 | 660 | 99 | 225 | 41 | 8 | 9 | 113 | 18 | 56 | 72 | .341 | .269 (+26%) | .340 (+15%) | .426 (+10%) | .767 (+12%) | 1706.9 |
| 1997 | MIN | AL | 135 | 538 | 63 | 164 | 32 | 4 | 10 | 89 | 11 | 45 | 73 | .305 | .266 (+14%) | .336 (+4%) | .419 (+4%) | .756 (+4%) | 329.1 |
| 1998 | MIN | AL | 126 | 502 | 75 | 141 | 29 | 5 | 4 | 69 | 9 | 45 | 41 | .281 | .266 (+6%) | .335 (avg) | .420 (-9%) | .755 (-5%) | -469.6 |
| Career · 21 seasons | 2,683 | 10,835 | 1,782 | 3,319 | 605 | 114 | 234 | 1,307 | 504 | 1,094 | 1,244 | .306 | — | — | — | — | 29,073 | ||
Lg columns show the league average for that season, with the player's figure as a percentage above or below it. Career totals the seasons listed above.
Game Log & Splits
View full game log (2683 games) →Per-game data from Retrosheet (regular season, through 2025).
Batting — Home / Away
| Split | G | AB | R | H | HR | RBI | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Home | 1340 | 5292 | 903 | 1676 | 116 | 672 | .317 |
| Away | 1343 | 5543 | 879 | 1643 | 118 | 635 | .296 |
Last 10 Games — Batting
| Date | Tm | Opp | Res | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998-09-27 | MIN | CLE | W | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998-09-26 | MIN | CLE | L | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998-09-25 | MIN | CLE | W | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 1998-09-23 | MIN | CHW | W | 6 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998-09-21 | MIN | CHW | L | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998-09-20 | MIN | DET | W | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| 1998-09-19 | MIN | DET | L | 5 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 1998-09-18 | MIN | DET | L | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998-09-16 | MIN | CLE | L | 5 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1998-09-14 | MIN | SEA | L | 4 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
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
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | ML4 | 2B | 91 | 87 | 197 | 283 | 12 | 57 |
| 1978 | ML4 | 3B | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1978 | ML4 | SS | 31 | 31 | 54 | 118 | 10 | 17 |
| 1979 | ML4 | 2B | 122 | 121 | 289 | 413 | 15 | 81 |
| 1979 | ML4 | SS | 10 | 9 | 20 | 27 | 1 | 3 |
| 1980 | ML4 | 2B | 91 | 90 | 240 | 294 | 16 | 80 |
| 1980 | ML4 | 3B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980 | ML4 | SS | 12 | 11 | 19 | 41 | 4 | 10 |
| 1981 | ML4 | OF | 46 | 47 | 119 | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 1982 | ML4 | 3B | 150 | 150 | 128 | 340 | 29 | 48 |
| 1982 | ML4 | SS | 4 | 3 | 6 | 10 | 3 | 0 |
| 1983 | ML4 | 3B | 146 | 147 | 105 | 343 | 16 | 37 |
| 1984 | ML4 | 3B | 7 | 7 | 7 | 21 | 2 | 3 |
| 1985 | ML4 | 3B | 135 | 133 | 126 | 263 | 19 | 30 |
| 1986 | ML4 | 3B | 91 | 91 | 82 | 170 | 15 | 25 |
| 1986 | ML4 | OF | 4 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | ML4 | 2B | 19 | 18 | 35 | 49 | 0 | 16 |
| 1987 | ML4 | 3B | 41 | 40 | 25 | 64 | 5 | 8 |
| 1988 | ML4 | 2B | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | ML4 | 3B | 105 | 104 | 86 | 187 | 17 | 15 |
| 1989 | ML4 | 2B | 16 | 15 | 28 | 44 | 1 | 9 |
| 1989 | ML4 | 3B | 112 | 112 | 78 | 243 | 17 | 18 |
| 1990 | ML4 | 1B | 37 | 36 | 325 | 25 | 5 | 28 |
| 1990 | ML4 | 2B | 60 | 60 | 136 | 190 | 4 | 36 |
| 1990 | ML4 | 3B | 2 | 2 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| 1991 | ML4 | 1B | 46 | 46 | 389 | 32 | 6 | 52 |
| 1992 | ML4 | 1B | 48 | 48 | 461 | 26 | 2 | 44 |
| 1993 | TOR | 1B | 23 | 23 | 178 | 14 | 3 | 16 |
| 1994 | TOR | 1B | 5 | 5 | 47 | 3 | 0 | 6 |
| 1996 | MIN | 1B | 17 | 17 | 138 | 13 | 1 | 13 |
| 1997 | MIN | 1B | 12 | 12 | 99 | 7 | 1 | 6 |
| 1998 | MIN | 1B | 9 | 9 | 79 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
Career Games by Position
Circle size = games played at each 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 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Branch Rickey Award | |
| 1998 | MLB Players Choice Man of the Year | |
| 1997 | Lou Gehrig Memorial Award | |
| 1996 | Outstanding DH Award | |
| 1996 | Silver Slugger | DH |
| 1996 | TSN All-Star | DH |
| 1994 | Player of the Week | Week of 1994-07-23 |
| 1994 | TSN All-Star | DH |
| 1993 | Babe Ruth Award | DH |
| 1993 | Outstanding DH Award | |
| 1993 | Player of the Month | May |
| 1993 | Silver Slugger | DH |
| 1993 | TSN All-Star | DH |
| 1993 | World Series MVP | |
| 1992 | Player of the Week | Week of 1992-08-29 |
| 1989 | Player of the Month | September |
| 1988 | Silver Slugger | DH |
| 1987 | Hutch Award | |
| 1987 | Player of the Week | Week of 1987-08-15 |
| 1987 | Player of the Week | Week of 1987-08-22 |
| 1987 | Silver Slugger | DH |
| 1987 | TSN All-Star | DH |
| 1982 | Player of the Week | Week of 1982-09-17 |
| 1978 | TSN Rookie Player of the Year |
Salary History
Paul Molitor's recorded salaries total $38,116,666 over 14 seasons, 1985 to 1998. This total is partial: the salary data covers 1985 to 2016, and Molitor's career ran from 1978 to 1998. His seasons before 1985 are not included.
| 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 recorded salary (partial) | $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 |
Most Similar Players
Career comps based on counting + rate stats and primary position. Score is relative — closest peer anchors at ~98%.
Paul Molitor (highlighted) compared to peers across the same era.
Compare Paul Molitor
Paul Molitor: the record in brief
April 7, 1978 and September 27, 1998 bracket Paul Molitor's time in the majors: the debut and the last game on record. The team column moves through the Milwaukee Brewers (1978 through 1992), the Toronto Blue Jays (1993 through 1995), and the Minnesota Twins (1996 through 1998). Molitor is listed as a designated hitter at 6 feet, 0 inches and 185 pounds. Molitor threw and hit right-handed, per the bio block. Molitor was born on August 22, 1956, in St. Paul, MN, USA. Molitor's full given name, per the bio, is Paul Leo Molitor.
Molitor's career batting table shows 2,683 games, 10,835 at bats and 3,319 hits, a .306 average, adding 234 homers, 1,307 runs batted in, and 504 stolen bases. Reaching base at a .369 clip and slugging .448, Molitor finished with a .817 OPS. Over the seasons Molitor played, league hitters batted .261; the .306 career figure is 17.2% above that. The single-season home run high is 22, set in 1993.
Frequently Asked Questions about Paul Molitor
- What years did Paul Molitor play?
- Paul Molitor played in Major League Baseball from 1978 to 1998.
- Was Paul Molitor a pitcher?
- No. Paul Molitor was a position player (Designated Hitter).
- How many home runs did Paul Molitor hit?
- Paul Molitor hit 234 career home runs with 3,319 hits.
- Is Paul Molitor in the Hall of Fame?
- Yes. Paul Molitor was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2004.
- What teams did Paul Molitor play for?
- Paul Molitor played for 3 teams: the Milwaukee Brewers (1978–1992), the Toronto Blue Jays (1993–1995), and the Minnesota Twins (1996–1998).
- Did Paul Molitor win an MVP award?
- No. Paul Molitor did not win the MVP award.
- What awards did Paul Molitor win?
- Paul Molitor won the World Series MVP award (1993) and 4 Silver Slugger awards (1987, 1988, 1993, and 1996). He was selected to 7 All-Star Games.
- What were Paul Molitor's career stats?
- In 2,683 games, Paul Molitor had 3,319 hits, 234 home runs, 1,307 RBI, 1,782 runs, and 504 stolen bases, with a .306 batting average.
- How much did Paul Molitor earn in his career?
- Paul Molitor's recorded salaries total $38,116,666 over 14 seasons, 1985 to 1998. This total is partial: the salary data covers 1985 to 2016, and Molitor's career ran from 1978 to 1998. His seasons before 1985 are not included.
- What was Paul Molitor's salary?
- Paul Molitor's last recorded salary was $4,250,000, in 1998. His highest recorded salary was $4,500,000, in 1995, and his lowest was $950,000, in 1985. The Salary History table lists each season from 1985 to 1998.
- What position did Paul Molitor play?
- Paul Molitor played primarily as a designated hitter, the position where he appeared in the most games.
- How tall was Paul Molitor and how much did he weigh?
- Paul Molitor was listed at 6 feet and 185 pounds.
- How many home runs did Paul Molitor hit each season?
- Paul Molitor's home runs by season: 6 in 1978, 9 in 1979, 9 in 1980, 2 in 1981, 19 in 1982, 15 in 1983, 0 in 1984, 10 in 1985, 9 in 1986, 16 in 1987, 13 in 1988, 11 in 1989, 12 in 1990, 17 in 1991, 12 in 1992, 22 in 1993, 14 in 1994, 15 in 1995, 9 in 1996, 10 in 1997, and 4 in 1998. His most in one season was 22, in 1993.
- What was Paul Molitor's career batting average?
- Paul Molitor batted .306 over his career, with 3,319 hits in 10,835 at bats.