Ken Phelps
Born: 8/6/1954 in Seattle, WA, USA
MLB Debut: 1980-09-20 | Final Game: 1990-09-08
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'1" | Weight: 209 lbs
Full name: Kenneth Allen Phelps
Biography
Ken Phelps was a professional baseball player born in 1954, who had a career spanning from 1980 to 1990. Primarily known for his role as a position player, Phelps made a significant impact in Major League Baseball during the 1980s, a decade characterized by a shift towards more power-oriented offensive play. He appeared in 761 games, where he demonstrated his power-hitting abilities, amassing 123 home runs and driving in 313 runs over his career. Phelps finished with a batting average of .239, a figure reflective of the era's emphasis on slugging and run production.
Throughout his career, Phelps was recognized for his left-handed power and was often utilized as a designated hitter or corner outfielder. He also displayed speed on the bases, recording 10 stolen bases, which complemented his offensive prowess. Although not a household name, Phelps's contributions were particularly appreciated in the teams he played for, as he carved out a niche as a reliable power hitter during a time when the game was evolving with an increasing focus on home run production. His legacy is marked by his ability to deliver clutch performances and his role in the changing landscape of baseball during the late 20th century.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 761 | 1854 | 308 | 443 | 64 | 7 | 123 | 313 | 10 | 390 | 449 | 0.239 | 0.374 | 0.480 | 0.854 | 8228.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | KCR | AL | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
| 1981 | KCR | AL | 21 | 22 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 13 | 0.136 | 0.0 |
| 1982 | WSN | NL | 10 | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.250 | 0.0 |
| 1983 | SEA | AL | 50 | 127 | 10 | 30 | 4 | 1 | 7 | 16 | 0 | 13 | 25 | 0.236 | 61.4 |
| 1984 | SEA | AL | 101 | 290 | 52 | 70 | 9 | 0 | 24 | 51 | 3 | 61 | 73 | 0.241 | 1637.6 |
| 1985 | SEA | AL | 61 | 116 | 18 | 24 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 24 | 2 | 24 | 33 | 0.207 | 318.6 |
| 1986 | SEA | AL | 125 | 344 | 69 | 85 | 16 | 4 | 24 | 64 | 2 | 88 | 96 | 0.247 | 2323.3 |
| 1987 | SEA | AL | 120 | 332 | 68 | 86 | 13 | 1 | 27 | 68 | 1 | 80 | 75 | 0.259 | 2213.3 |
| 1988 | NYY | AL | 45 | 107 | 17 | 24 | 5 | 0 | 10 | 22 | 0 | 19 | 26 | 0.224 | 499.5 |
| 1988 | SEA | AL | 72 | 190 | 37 | 54 | 8 | 0 | 14 | 32 | 1 | 51 | 35 | 0.284 | 499.5 |
| 1989 | NYY | AL | 86 | 185 | 26 | 46 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 29 | 0 | 27 | 47 | 0.249 | 166.9 |
| 1989 | OAK | AL | 11 | 9 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0.111 | 166.9 |
| 1990 | CLE | AL | 24 | 61 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 10 | 11 | 0.115 | -474.0 |
| 1990 | OAK | AL | 32 | 59 | 6 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0 | 12 | 10 | 0.186 | -474.0 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.500 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1989 | ALCS | OAK | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1.000 |
| 1989 | WS | OAK | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 131 | 110 | 956 | 70 | 13 | 96 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | KCA | 1B | 2 | 1 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 1981 | KCA | 1B | 2 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1983 | SEA | 1B | 22 | 20 | 164 | 16 | 0 | 11 |
| 1984 | SEA | 1B | 9 | 9 | 72 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
| 1985 | SEA | 1B | 8 | 4 | 31 | 2 | 0 | 5 |
| 1986 | SEA | 1B | 55 | 53 | 487 | 34 | 9 | 58 |
| 1987 | SEA | 1B | 1 | 1 | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | NYA | 1B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | SEA | 1B | 3 | 3 | 18 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| 1989 | NYA | 1B | 8 | 4 | 47 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| 1989 | OAK | 1B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | CLE | 1B | 14 | 11 | 87 | 7 | 0 | 4 |
| 1990 | OAK | 1B | 5 | 3 | 24 | 3 | 1 | 3 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 130 |
| Right Field | 1 |
| Designated Hitter | 466 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | OAK | AL | $825,000 |
| 1989 | NYA | AL | $655,000 |
| 1988 | SEA | AL | $670,000 |
| 1987 | SEA | AL | $300,000 |
| 1986 | SEA | AL | $235,000 |
| 1985 | SEA | AL | $180,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $2,865,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Tempe | AZ | 1975, 1976 |
| Mesa Community College | Mesa | AZ | 1974 |