Steve Sax, baseball player, 1981-1994

Steve Sax

Born: 1/29/1960 in Sacramento, CA, USA

MLB Debut: 1981-08-18 | Final Game: 1994-05-08

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'11" | Weight: 185 lbs

Full name: Stephen Louis Sax

Biography

Steve Sax, born in 1960, was a prominent American baseball player who made significant contributions to Major League Baseball from 1981 until his retirement in 1994. Known for his exceptional speed and versatility on the field, Sax played primarily as a second baseman and was a key figure in the game during the 1980s and early 1990s. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 1,769 games, amassing 1,949 hits and compiling a batting average of .281. His offensive prowess was highlighted by 54 home runs and 550 RBIs, but it was his base-running skills that truly set him apart, finishing his career with 444 stolen bases. Sax's career was marked by notable achievements, including being named the Rookie of the Year and earning five All-Star selections. He played a crucial role on several successful teams, contributing to the excitement of the era as baseball experienced a surge in popularity. His ability to blend both speed and skill made him a valuable asset, and he was celebrated for his tenacity and competitive spirit on the diamond. Steve Sax remains a significant figure in baseball history, remembered for his contributions during a transformative period for the sport.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
1769 6940 913 1949 278 47 54 550 444 556 584 0.281 0.335 0.358 0.692 -2661.6

Season-by-Season Batting

Postseason Statistics

Playoff Career Batting

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
26 87 11 24 3 0 0 4 6 9 0.276

Playoff Batting by Year

Year Round Team G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG
1988 NLCS LAN 7 30 7 8 0 0 0 3 3 3 0.267
1988 WS LAN 5 20 3 6 0 0 0 0 1 1 0.300
1985 NLCS LAN 6 20 1 6 3 0 0 1 1 5 0.300
1983 NLCS LAN 4 16 0 4 0 0 0 0 1 0 0.250
1981 NLCS LAN 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
1981 NWDIV LAN 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 .000
1981 WS LAN 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0.000

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
2B 1679 1664 3574 4805 187 998
3B 7 5 3 12 3 0
OF 33 26 40 0 0 0

Season-by-Season Fielding

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Second Base 1679
Third Base 7
Left Field 27
Right Field 6
Designated Hitter 26

Awards & Honors

Salary History

Year Team League Salary
1995 CHA AL $3,475,000
1994 CHA AL $3,475,000
1994 OAK AL $109,000
1993 CHA AL $1,975,000
1992 CHA AL $3,575,000
1991 NYA AL $1,650,001
1990 NYA AL $950,000
1989 NYA AL $1,150,000
1988 LAN NL $838,182
1986 LAN NL $584,624
1985 LAN NL $465,000
Total Career Earnings $18,246,807

Award Voting History

Year Award League Finish Points Won Points Max Votes First
1989 Most Valuable Player AL 21th 3.0 392 0
1988 Most Valuable Player NL 18th 1.0 336 0
1986 Most Valuable Player NL 13th 13.0 336 0
1982 Rookie of the Year NL 1st 63.0 120 9