Buck Rodgers
Born: 8/16/1938 in Delaware, OH, USA
MLB Debut: 1961-09-08 | Final Game: 1969-10-01
Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 6'2" | Weight: 190 lbs
Full name: Robert Leroy Rodgers
Biography
Buck Rodgers was a professional baseball player born in 1938, whose career spanned from 1961 to 1969. He played primarily as a position player and became known for his tenacity on the field during a transformative period in Major League Baseball. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 932 games, amassing 704 hits and contributing significantly to his teams with 31 home runs and 288 RBIs. His batting average stood at .232, and he demonstrated speed on the basepaths with a total of 17 stolen bases.
Rodgers played during an era characterized by significant shifts in the game, including the integration of players from diverse backgrounds and the evolving strategies of offensive play. While not a marquee player, his consistent presence in the lineup and ability to contribute in various ways made him a valuable asset to his teams. After his retirement in 1969, Buck Rodgers left an indelible mark as a reliable performer during a pivotal time in baseball history, showcasing the grit and determination that defined many players of his generation.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 932 | 3033 | 259 | 704 | 114 | 18 | 31 | 288 | 17 | 234 | 409 | 0.232 | 0.288 | 0.312 | 0.600 | -7284.1 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | LAA | AL | 16 | 56 | 8 | 18 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 0.321 | 76.0 |
| 1962 | LAA | AL | 155 | 565 | 65 | 146 | 34 | 6 | 6 | 61 | 1 | 45 | 68 | 0.258 | -776.0 |
| 1963 | LAA | AL | 100 | 300 | 24 | 70 | 6 | 0 | 4 | 23 | 2 | 29 | 35 | 0.233 | -573.2 |
| 1964 | LAA | AL | 148 | 514 | 38 | 125 | 18 | 3 | 4 | 54 | 4 | 40 | 71 | 0.243 | -1118.6 |
| 1965 | LAA | AL | 132 | 411 | 33 | 86 | 14 | 3 | 1 | 32 | 4 | 35 | 61 | 0.209 | -1682.3 |
| 1966 | LAA | AL | 133 | 454 | 45 | 107 | 20 | 3 | 7 | 48 | 3 | 29 | 57 | 0.236 | -910.5 |
| 1967 | LAA | AL | 139 | 429 | 29 | 94 | 13 | 3 | 6 | 41 | 1 | 34 | 55 | 0.219 | -998.1 |
| 1968 | LAA | AL | 91 | 258 | 13 | 49 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 14 | 2 | 16 | 48 | 0.190 | -1126.1 |
| 1969 | LAA | AL | 18 | 46 | 4 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 0.196 | -175.2 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 895 | 815 | 4750 | 472 | 63 | 74 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1961 | LAA | C | 14 | 13 | 71 | 11 | 3 | 2 |
| 1962 | LAA | C | 150 | 144 | 826 | 73 | 10 | 14 |
| 1963 | LAA | C | 85 | 77 | 416 | 48 | 10 | 5 |
| 1964 | LAA | C | 146 | 139 | 884 | 87 | 13 | 14 |
| 1965 | CAL | C | 128 | 112 | 682 | 52 | 7 | 7 |
| 1966 | CAL | C | 133 | 121 | 662 | 69 | 6 | 7 |
| 1967 | CAL | C | 134 | 121 | 728 | 73 | 7 | 11 |
| 1967 | CAL | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1968 | CAL | C | 87 | 74 | 407 | 50 | 7 | 11 |
| 1969 | CAL | C | 18 | 14 | 74 | 9 | 0 | 3 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 894 |
| Left Field | 1 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1962 | Most Valuable Player | AL | 26th | 6.0 | 280 | 0 |
| 1962 | Rookie of the Year | AL | 2nd | 4.0 | 20 | 4 |