Chris Sabo
Born: 1/19/1962 in Detroit, MI, USA
MLB Debut: 1988-04-04 | Final Game: 1996-09-02
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 185 lbs
Full name: Christopher Andrew Sabo
Biography
Chris Sabo was a prominent third baseman in Major League Baseball, whose career spanned from 1988 to 1996. Born in 1962, Sabo made his debut with the Cincinnati Reds, where he quickly established himself as a key player. Over the course of 911 games, he recorded 898 hits and hit 116 home runs, contributing significantly to his team's offensive efforts. With a batting average of .268 and 426 RBIs, Sabo demonstrated a solid combination of power and contact hitting, while also showcasing his speed on the basepaths with 120 stolen bases. His dynamic playing style and versatility on the field earned him three All-Star selections and the prestigious Rookie of the Year award.
Sabo played during a transformative era in baseball, marked by increased offensive production and the rise of power hitters. His ability to adapt to the changing game while maintaining a competitive edge made him a standout player of his time. Known for his distinctive goggles, Sabo became a fan favorite and a symbol of the 1990s Reds. His contributions were integral to the team's success during his tenure, as he helped the franchise remain competitive in a rapidly evolving sport. After his retirement on September 2, 1996, Sabo left behind a legacy characterized by resilience and determination, ensuring his place in the annals of baseball history.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 911 | 3354 | 494 | 898 | 214 | 17 | 116 | 426 | 120 | 274 | 460 | 0.268 | 0.326 | 0.445 | 0.772 | 4639.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | CIN | NL | 137 | 538 | 74 | 146 | 40 | 2 | 11 | 44 | 46 | 29 | 52 | 0.271 | 341.6 |
| 1989 | CIN | NL | 82 | 304 | 40 | 79 | 21 | 1 | 6 | 29 | 14 | 25 | 33 | 0.260 | 84.1 |
| 1990 | CIN | NL | 148 | 567 | 95 | 153 | 38 | 2 | 25 | 71 | 25 | 61 | 58 | 0.270 | 1698.4 |
| 1991 | CIN | NL | 153 | 582 | 91 | 175 | 35 | 3 | 26 | 88 | 19 | 44 | 79 | 0.301 | 2377.2 |
| 1992 | CIN | NL | 96 | 344 | 42 | 84 | 19 | 3 | 12 | 43 | 4 | 30 | 54 | 0.244 | 80.3 |
| 1993 | CIN | NL | 148 | 552 | 86 | 143 | 33 | 2 | 21 | 82 | 6 | 43 | 105 | 0.259 | 142.1 |
| 1994 | BAL | AL | 68 | 258 | 41 | 66 | 15 | 3 | 11 | 42 | 1 | 20 | 38 | 0.256 | 94.6 |
| 1995 | CHW | AL | 20 | 71 | 10 | 18 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 12 | 0.254 | -175.4 |
| 1995 | STL | NL | 5 | 13 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.154 | -175.4 |
| 1996 | CIN | NL | 54 | 125 | 15 | 32 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 16 | 2 | 18 | 27 | 0.256 | -3.6 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 38 | 3 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 3 | 6 | 0.368 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | NLCS | CIN | 6 | 22 | 1 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0.227 |
| 1990 | WS | CIN | 4 | 16 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0.562 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 3 | 3 | 21 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
| 3B | 831 | 815 | 453 | 1514 | 76 | 123 |
| OF | 22 | 22 | 32 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | CIN | 3B | 135 | 131 | 75 | 318 | 14 | 31 |
| 1988 | CIN | SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | CIN | 3B | 76 | 76 | 36 | 145 | 11 | 12 |
| 1990 | CIN | 3B | 146 | 144 | 70 | 273 | 12 | 17 |
| 1991 | CIN | 3B | 151 | 149 | 86 | 255 | 12 | 24 |
| 1992 | CIN | 3B | 93 | 94 | 60 | 159 | 9 | 13 |
| 1993 | CIN | 3B | 148 | 148 | 79 | 242 | 11 | 16 |
| 1994 | BAL | 3B | 37 | 34 | 20 | 48 | 3 | 4 |
| 1994 | BAL | OF | 22 | 22 | 32 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | CHA | 1B | 1 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | CHA | 3B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1995 | SLN | 1B | 2 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 1 | 1 |
| 1995 | SLN | 3B | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1996 | CIN | 3B | 43 | 37 | 27 | 72 | 4 | 6 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 3 |
| Third Base | 831 |
| Shortstop | 2 |
| Left Field | 9 |
| Right Field | 13 |
| Designated Hitter | 25 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | Player of the Week | Week of 1989-05-27 |
| 1988 | Player of the Week | Week of 1988-06-17 |
| 1988 | Rookie of the Year |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | CIN | NL | $200,000 |
| 1995 | CHA | AL | $550,000 |
| 1995 | SLN | NL | $109,000 |
| 1994 | BAL | AL | $2,000,000 |
| 1993 | CIN | NL | $3,100,000 |
| 1992 | CIN | NL | $2,750,000 |
| 1991 | CIN | NL | $1,250,500 |
| 1990 | CIN | NL | $200,000 |
| 1989 | CIN | NL | $155,000 |
| 1988 | CIN | NL | $62,500 |
| Total Career Earnings | $10,377,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Michigan | Ann Arbor | MI | 1981, 1982, 1983 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 20th | 1.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1990 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 13th | 11.0 | 336 | 0 |
| 1988 | Rookie of the Year | NL | 1st | 79.0 | 120 | 11 |