Gene Richards
Born: 9/29/1953 in Monticello, SC, USA
MLB Debut: 1977-04-06 | Final Game: 1984-09-30
Bats: L | Throws: L | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Eugene Richards
Biography
Gene Richards was a dynamic position player who enjoyed a solid career in Major League Baseball from 1977 to 1984. Born in 1953, Richards made his mark during an era characterized by a transition toward more aggressive offensive strategies. Over the course of 1,026 games, he amassed 1,028 hits, contributing to a commendable career batting average of .290. His impactful presence at the plate was complemented by his speed on the bases, where he successfully stole 247 bases, showcasing his ability to disrupt opposing defenses and change the dynamics of the game.
Richards' career was highlighted by his versatility and consistency as a hitter, as evidenced by his 26 home runs and 255 RBIs. His ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities made him a valuable asset to the teams he played for, including the San Diego Padres and the New York Yankees. Gene Richards' contributions to the game during a time of evolving baseball strategies solidified his legacy as an influential player who exemplified the blend of speed and skill that defined a generation of baseball talent.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1026 | 3549 | 502 | 1028 | 127 | 63 | 26 | 255 | 247 | 356 | 436 | 0.290 | 0.357 | 0.383 | 0.739 | 3336.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | SDP | NL | 146 | 525 | 79 | 152 | 16 | 11 | 5 | 32 | 56 | 60 | 80 | 0.290 | 490.9 |
| 1978 | SDP | NL | 154 | 555 | 90 | 171 | 26 | 12 | 4 | 45 | 37 | 64 | 80 | 0.308 | 1691.6 |
| 1979 | SDP | NL | 150 | 545 | 77 | 152 | 17 | 9 | 4 | 41 | 24 | 47 | 62 | 0.279 | -189.4 |
| 1980 | SDP | NL | 158 | 642 | 91 | 193 | 26 | 8 | 4 | 41 | 61 | 61 | 73 | 0.301 | 795.5 |
| 1981 | SDP | NL | 104 | 393 | 47 | 113 | 14 | 12 | 3 | 42 | 20 | 53 | 44 | 0.288 | 1051.8 |
| 1982 | SDP | NL | 132 | 521 | 63 | 149 | 13 | 8 | 3 | 28 | 30 | 36 | 52 | 0.286 | -257.9 |
| 1983 | SDP | NL | 95 | 233 | 37 | 64 | 11 | 3 | 3 | 22 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 0.275 | -30.5 |
| 1984 | SFG | NL | 87 | 135 | 18 | 34 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 18 | 28 | 0.252 | -215.3 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 83 | 75 | 657 | 46 | 20 | 63 |
| OF | 806 | 763 | 1550 | 74 | 47 | 8 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | SDN | 1B | 32 | 29 | 223 | 22 | 5 | 23 |
| 1977 | SDN | OF | 109 | 92 | 193 | 13 | 8 | 0 |
| 1978 | SDN | 1B | 26 | 22 | 211 | 12 | 9 | 23 |
| 1978 | SDN | OF | 124 | 114 | 210 | 8 | 8 | 0 |
| 1979 | SDN | OF | 132 | 129 | 320 | 7 | 9 | 2 |
| 1980 | SDN | OF | 156 | 155 | 307 | 21 | 7 | 4 |
| 1981 | SDN | OF | 102 | 101 | 178 | 14 | 5 | 1 |
| 1982 | SDN | 1B | 25 | 24 | 223 | 12 | 6 | 17 |
| 1982 | SDN | OF | 103 | 102 | 200 | 8 | 5 | 1 |
| 1983 | SDN | OF | 54 | 51 | 96 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1984 | SFN | OF | 26 | 19 | 46 | 1 | 3 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 83 |
| Left Field | 628 |
| Center Field | 186 |
| Right Field | 14 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Player of the Week | Week of 1977-09-16 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Carolina State University | Orangeburg | SC | 1972, 1973, 1974 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 22th | 1.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1977 | Rookie of the Year | NL | 3rd | 4.0 | 24 | 4 |