Karl Olson
Born: 7/6/1930 in Ross, CA, USA
Died: 12/25/2010 in Reno, NV, USA
MLB Debut: 1951-06-30 | Final Game: 1957-06-10
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 205 lbs
Full name: Karl Arthur Olson
Biography
Karl Olson was a professional baseball player who played as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1951 until 1957. Born in 1930, Olson made his debut during a transformative period in baseball history marked by the gradual integration of the sport and the emergence of new playing styles. Over the course of his career, he participated in 279 games, recording 160 hits and achieving a batting average of .235. His contributions to his teams included 6 home runs and 50 runs batted in, showcasing his ability to drive in runs during critical moments.
Despite not being a superstar, Olson's presence on the field was marked by his versatility and determination. He also demonstrated speed on the basepaths with 3 stolen bases, reflecting a playing style that valued agility and tactical awareness. Olson's career, which concluded on June 10, 1957, encapsulated the challenges and opportunities faced by players during a competitive era in baseball, navigating a landscape that was rapidly evolving both on and off the field. His legacy, while perhaps less celebrated than some of his contemporaries, contributed to the rich tapestry of baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 279 | 681 | 74 | 160 | 25 | 6 | 6 | 50 | 3 | 43 | 94 | 0.235 | 0.278 | 0.316 | 0.594 | -1918.7 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | BOS | AL | 5 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.100 | 0.0 |
| 1953 | BOS | AL | 25 | 57 | 5 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0.123 | -521.8 |
| 1954 | BOS | AL | 101 | 227 | 25 | 59 | 12 | 2 | 1 | 20 | 2 | 12 | 23 | 0.260 | -587.3 |
| 1955 | BOS | AL | 26 | 48 | 7 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1956 | WSN | AL | 106 | 313 | 34 | 77 | 10 | 2 | 4 | 22 | 1 | 28 | 41 | 0.246 | -809.6 |
| 1957 | DET | AL | 8 | 14 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 0.143 | 0.0 |
| 1957 | WSN | AL | 8 | 12 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 0.167 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 240 | 138 | 396 | 16 | 9 | 1 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1951 | BOS | OF | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1953 | BOS | OF | 24 | 0 | 31 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
| 1954 | BOS | OF | 78 | 44 | 122 | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| 1955 | BOS | OF | 21 | 10 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1956 | WS1 | OF | 101 | 80 | 192 | 4 | 2 | 0 |
| 1957 | DET | OF | 5 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1957 | WS1 | OF | 6 | 3 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 83 |
| Center Field | 140 |
| Right Field | 29 |