Ken Reitz
Born: 6/24/1951 in San Francisco, CA, USA
Died: 3/31/2021 in St. Charles, MO, USA
MLB Debut: 1972-09-05 | Final Game: 1982-06-03
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Kenneth John Reitz
Biography
Ken Reitz, born in 1951, was a professional baseball player who made a significant impact on the game during his career from 1972 to 1982. Primarily known for his defensive prowess at third base, Reitz played in 1,344 games and recorded 1,243 hits, 68 home runs, and 548 RBIs, finishing his career with a batting average of .260. His reliable glove and strong arm made him a valuable asset to the teams he played for, and he was recognized for his skills with one All-Star selection during his tenure.
Reitz played in an era that bridged the late stages of the post-expansion era into the early days of the free agency era, a time when teams were beginning to prioritize both offensive and defensive capabilities. His contributions extended beyond statistics, as he was known for his work ethic and dedication to the game, often serving as a mentor to younger players. His career achievements and consistent performance solidified his legacy as a respected figure in Major League Baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1344 | 4777 | 366 | 1243 | 243 | 12 | 68 | 548 | 10 | 184 | 518 | 0.260 | 0.290 | 0.359 | 0.649 | -8814.2 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | STL | NL | 21 | 78 | 5 | 28 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.359 | 189.1 |
| 1973 | STL | NL | 147 | 426 | 40 | 100 | 20 | 2 | 6 | 42 | 0 | 9 | 25 | 0.235 | -1539.6 |
| 1974 | STL | NL | 154 | 579 | 48 | 157 | 28 | 2 | 7 | 54 | 0 | 23 | 63 | 0.271 | -712.8 |
| 1975 | STL | NL | 161 | 592 | 43 | 159 | 25 | 1 | 5 | 63 | 1 | 22 | 54 | 0.269 | -1232.6 |
| 1976 | SFG | NL | 155 | 577 | 40 | 154 | 21 | 1 | 5 | 66 | 5 | 24 | 48 | 0.267 | -1073.0 |
| 1977 | STL | NL | 157 | 587 | 58 | 153 | 36 | 1 | 17 | 79 | 2 | 19 | 74 | 0.261 | -618.7 |
| 1978 | STL | NL | 150 | 540 | 41 | 133 | 26 | 2 | 10 | 75 | 1 | 23 | 61 | 0.246 | -1165.1 |
| 1979 | STL | NL | 159 | 605 | 42 | 162 | 41 | 2 | 8 | 73 | 1 | 25 | 85 | 0.268 | -971.1 |
| 1980 | STL | NL | 151 | 523 | 39 | 141 | 33 | 0 | 8 | 58 | 0 | 22 | 44 | 0.270 | -651.8 |
| 1981 | CHC | NL | 82 | 260 | 10 | 56 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 28 | 0 | 15 | 56 | 0.215 | -1038.7 |
| 1982 | PIT | NL | 7 | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0.000 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 3B | 1321 | 1259 | 996 | 2477 | 109 | 219 |
| SS | 4 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1972 | SLN | 3B | 20 | 20 | 17 | 26 | 2 | 3 |
| 1973 | SLN | 3B | 135 | 107 | 85 | 211 | 8 | 19 |
| 1973 | SLN | SS | 1 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1974 | SLN | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1974 | SLN | 3B | 151 | 148 | 131 | 278 | 11 | 29 |
| 1974 | SLN | SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1975 | SLN | 3B | 160 | 157 | 124 | 279 | 23 | 21 |
| 1976 | SFN | 3B | 155 | 151 | 140 | 303 | 19 | 32 |
| 1976 | SFN | SS | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| 1977 | SLN | 3B | 157 | 156 | 121 | 320 | 9 | 35 |
| 1978 | SLN | 3B | 150 | 144 | 111 | 314 | 12 | 18 |
| 1979 | SLN | 3B | 158 | 156 | 124 | 290 | 12 | 26 |
| 1980 | SLN | 3B | 150 | 143 | 86 | 293 | 8 | 25 |
| 1981 | CHN | 3B | 81 | 75 | 57 | 157 | 5 | 11 |
| 1982 | PIT | 3B | 4 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 1 |
| Third Base | 1321 |
| Shortstop | 5 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Player of the Month | May |
| 1975 | Gold Glove | 3B |
| 1975 | Player of the Week | Week of 1975-04-18 |
| 1974 | Player of the Week | Week of 1974-04-26 |