Mark Salas
Born: 3/8/1961 in Montebello, CA, USA
MLB Debut: 1984-06-19 | Final Game: 1991-10-05
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Mark Bruce Salas
Biography
Mark Salas, born in 1961, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1984 to 1991. Primarily known as a position player, Salas played in 509 games throughout his career, where he recorded 319 hits and 38 home runs. His offensive contributions included 143 RBIs and a batting average of .247, showcasing his ability to drive in runs while providing steady power at the plate. Although he was not a prolific base stealer, he managed to swipe 3 bases during his time in the league.
Salas's career unfolded during a transitional period in baseball, marked by an evolving offensive landscape and shifting player dynamics. He played for several teams during his tenure, each contributing to the development of his skills and understanding of the game. While he may not be remembered among the most famous players of his era, Salas's resilience and dedication to the sport exemplified the spirit of competition that defined baseball in the late 20th century. His contributions to the teams he played for remain a testament to the diverse talents that enriched the game during that time.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 509 | 1292 | 142 | 319 | 49 | 10 | 38 | 143 | 3 | 89 | 163 | 0.247 | 0.300 | 0.389 | 0.688 | -761.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | STL | NL | 14 | 20 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0.100 | 0.0 |
| 1985 | MIN | AL | 120 | 360 | 51 | 108 | 20 | 5 | 9 | 41 | 0 | 18 | 37 | 0.300 | 609.6 |
| 1986 | MIN | AL | 91 | 258 | 28 | 60 | 7 | 4 | 8 | 33 | 3 | 18 | 32 | 0.233 | -451.1 |
| 1987 | MIN | AL | 22 | 45 | 8 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 6 | 0.378 | 317.9 |
| 1987 | NYY | AL | 50 | 115 | 13 | 23 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 12 | 0 | 10 | 17 | 0.200 | 317.9 |
| 1988 | CHW | AL | 75 | 196 | 17 | 49 | 7 | 0 | 3 | 9 | 0 | 12 | 17 | 0.250 | -273.2 |
| 1989 | CLE | AL | 30 | 77 | 4 | 17 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 13 | 0.221 | -90.7 |
| 1990 | DET | AL | 74 | 164 | 18 | 38 | 3 | 0 | 9 | 24 | 0 | 21 | 28 | 0.232 | 144.2 |
| 1991 | DET | AL | 33 | 57 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 0.088 | -597.3 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 385 | 295 | 1659 | 148 | 23 | 23 |
| OF | 4 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | SLN | C | 4 | 2 | 11 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | SLN | OF | 3 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | MIN | C | 115 | 95 | 529 | 39 | 5 | 10 |
| 1986 | MIN | C | 69 | 56 | 358 | 32 | 8 | 5 |
| 1987 | MIN | C | 14 | 10 | 86 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
| 1987 | NYA | C | 41 | 30 | 172 | 13 | 0 | 0 |
| 1987 | NYA | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1988 | CHA | C | 69 | 56 | 251 | 35 | 6 | 5 |
| 1989 | CLE | C | 5 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | DET | C | 57 | 44 | 227 | 22 | 3 | 3 |
| 1990 | DET | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | DET | C | 11 | 2 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1991 | DET | 1B | 5 | 0 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 385 |
| First Base | 5 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 3 |
| Right Field | 1 |
| Designated Hitter | 45 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1991 | DET | AL | $450,000 |
| 1988 | CHA | AL | $185,000 |
| 1987 | NYA | AL | $137,000 |
| 1986 | MIN | AL | $115,000 |
| 1985 | MIN | AL | $60,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $947,000 | ||
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Rookie of the Year | AL | 8th | 2.0 | 140 | 0 |