Joe Orsulak
Born: 5/31/1962 in Glen Ridge, NJ, USA
MLB Debut: 1983-09-01 | Final Game: 1997-09-25
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 185 lbs
Full name: Joseph Michael Orsulak
Biography
Joe Orsulak, born in 1962, was a professional baseball player who had a career that spanned from 1983 to 1997. Orsulak was primarily known for his versatility as a position player, contributing significantly to the teams he played for over his 1,494 games in Major League Baseball. He finished his career with a respectable batting average of .273, accumulating 1,173 hits and 405 RBIs, while also showcasing his speed on the bases with 93 stolen bases. His power at the plate was evident as well, hitting 57 home runs throughout his tenure in the league.
Playing during an era characterized by offensive explosions and the increasing emphasis on power hitting, Orsulak's all-around skills allowed him to carve out a notable place in the game. He was known for his ability to get on base and contribute in multiple facets of the game, making him a valuable asset to his teams. His professional journey included stints with several clubs, where he left a lasting impact on the field and the fans who watched him play. Orsulak's contributions to baseball during the late 20th century reflect the evolution of the game during a time of transition, blending traditional skills with the emerging power dynamics of the era.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1494 | 4293 | 559 | 1173 | 186 | 37 | 57 | 405 | 93 | 318 | 402 | 0.273 | 0.324 | 0.374 | 0.698 | -2726.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | PIT | NL | 7 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.182 | 0.0 |
| 1984 | PIT | NL | 32 | 67 | 12 | 17 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 7 | 0.254 | -192.6 |
| 1985 | PIT | NL | 121 | 397 | 54 | 119 | 14 | 6 | 0 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 27 | 0.300 | -73.1 |
| 1986 | PIT | NL | 138 | 401 | 60 | 100 | 19 | 6 | 2 | 19 | 24 | 28 | 38 | 0.249 | -933.3 |
| 1988 | BAL | AL | 125 | 379 | 48 | 109 | 21 | 3 | 8 | 27 | 9 | 23 | 30 | 0.288 | 521.7 |
| 1989 | BAL | AL | 123 | 390 | 59 | 111 | 22 | 5 | 7 | 55 | 5 | 41 | 35 | 0.285 | 795.4 |
| 1990 | BAL | AL | 124 | 413 | 49 | 111 | 14 | 3 | 11 | 57 | 6 | 46 | 48 | 0.269 | 410.9 |
| 1991 | BAL | AL | 143 | 486 | 57 | 135 | 22 | 1 | 5 | 43 | 6 | 28 | 45 | 0.278 | -406.0 |
| 1992 | BAL | AL | 117 | 391 | 45 | 113 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 39 | 5 | 28 | 34 | 0.289 | 271.9 |
| 1993 | NYN | NL | 134 | 409 | 59 | 116 | 15 | 4 | 8 | 35 | 5 | 28 | 25 | 0.284 | -87.4 |
| 1994 | NYN | NL | 96 | 292 | 39 | 76 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 42 | 4 | 16 | 21 | 0.260 | -882.5 |
| 1995 | NYN | NL | 108 | 290 | 41 | 82 | 19 | 2 | 1 | 37 | 1 | 19 | 35 | 0.283 | -531.8 |
| 1996 | MIA | NL | 120 | 217 | 23 | 48 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 19 | 1 | 16 | 38 | 0.221 | -1206.9 |
| 1997 | WSN | NL | 106 | 150 | 13 | 34 | 12 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 18 | 17 | 0.227 | -412.6 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 28 | 13 | 154 | 13 | 1 | 6 |
| OF | 1253 | 975 | 2284 | 105 | 43 | 17 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | PIT | OF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | PIT | OF | 25 | 11 | 41 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | PIT | OF | 115 | 93 | 229 | 10 | 6 | 1 |
| 1986 | PIT | OF | 120 | 91 | 193 | 11 | 4 | 2 |
| 1988 | BAL | OF | 117 | 87 | 228 | 6 | 5 | 2 |
| 1989 | BAL | OF | 109 | 99 | 250 | 10 | 4 | 2 |
| 1990 | BAL | OF | 109 | 100 | 267 | 5 | 3 | 2 |
| 1991 | BAL | OF | 132 | 118 | 273 | 22 | 1 | 4 |
| 1992 | BAL | OF | 110 | 98 | 228 | 9 | 4 | 1 |
| 1993 | NYN | 1B | 4 | 1 | 16 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1993 | NYN | OF | 114 | 94 | 215 | 9 | 5 | 1 |
| 1994 | NYN | 1B | 6 | 1 | 19 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 1994 | NYN | OF | 90 | 67 | 129 | 8 | 3 | 2 |
| 1995 | NYN | 1B | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | NYN | OF | 86 | 60 | 108 | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| 1996 | FLO | 1B | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1996 | FLO | OF | 59 | 37 | 80 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| 1997 | MON | 1B | 15 | 11 | 112 | 10 | 1 | 4 |
| 1997 | MON | OF | 63 | 19 | 41 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 28 |
| Left Field | 451 |
| Center Field | 215 |
| Right Field | 669 |
| Designated Hitter | 14 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | MON | NL | $650,000 |
| 1996 | FLO | NL | $625,000 |
| 1995 | NYN | NL | $894,445 |
| 1994 | NYN | NL | $850,000 |
| 1993 | NYN | NL | $660,000 |
| 1992 | BAL | AL | $1,300,000 |
| 1991 | BAL | AL | $1,100,000 |
| 1990 | BAL | AL | $610,000 |
| 1989 | BAL | AL | $300,000 |
| 1988 | BAL | AL | $120,000 |
| 1986 | PIT | NL | $135,000 |
| 1985 | PIT | NL | $60,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $7,304,445 | ||
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Rookie of the Year | NL | 6th | 2.0 | 120 | 0 |