Mike Roarke
Born: 11/8/1930 in West Warwick, RI, USA
Died: 7/27/2019 in Cranston, RI, USA
MLB Debut: 1961-04-19 | Final Game: 1964-10-03
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 195 lbs
Full name: Michael Thomas Roarke
Biography
Mike Roarke was a professional baseball player born in 1930 who played primarily as a position player during his brief Major League Baseball career from 1961 to 1964. Over the course of 194 games, Roarke recorded 113 hits, six home runs, and 44 RBIs, finishing his career with a batting average of .23. Known for his versatility on the field, Roarke contributed to his teams not only with his bat but also through his defensive skills, though he did not steal any bases throughout his career.
Roarke's playing career unfolded during a transitional period in baseball, as the sport was beginning to experience changes in player dynamics and fan engagement. Although his statistics might not reflect the prowess of some contemporaries, Roarke's presence in the dugout and on the field added depth to the teams he played for and contributed to the fabric of the game during the early 1960s. After retiring from professional play, his contributions to the sport remained as part of the rich history of baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 194 | 491 | 41 | 113 | 11 | 2 | 6 | 44 | 0 | 45 | 61 | 0.230 | 0.296 | 0.297 | 0.594 | -1428.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | DET | AL | 86 | 229 | 21 | 51 | 6 | 1 | 2 | 22 | 0 | 20 | 31 | 0.223 | -933.8 |
| 1962 | DET | AL | 56 | 136 | 11 | 29 | 4 | 1 | 4 | 14 | 0 | 13 | 17 | 0.213 | -288.4 |
| 1963 | DET | AL | 23 | 44 | 5 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0.318 | 0.0 |
| 1964 | DET | AL | 29 | 82 | 4 | 19 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 10 | 10 | 0.232 | -206.7 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 181 | 140 | 863 | 62 | 12 | 7 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | DET | C | 85 | 67 | 383 | 22 | 5 | 5 |
| 1962 | DET | C | 53 | 39 | 247 | 24 | 5 | 1 |
| 1963 | DET | C | 16 | 9 | 68 | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| 1964 | DET | C | 27 | 25 | 165 | 11 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 181 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boston College | Chestnut Hill | MA | 1950, 1951, 1952 |