Joe Strain
Born: 4/30/1954 in Denver, CO, USA
MLB Debut: 1979-06-28 | Final Game: 1981-06-02
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 169 lbs
Full name: Joseph Allan Strain
Biography
Joe Strain, born in 1954, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball from 1979 to 1981. During his three-season career, he played primarily as a position player, appearing in 169 games. Strain showcased his abilities at the plate, finishing his career with 130 hits and a batting average of .25. He contributed to his teams with 29 RBIs and demonstrated speed on the bases with 9 stolen bases, highlighting his versatility as a player.
Strain’s lone home run stands as a testament to his ability to contribute in pivotal moments, albeit he was not primarily known for his power. His career unfolded during a transitional period in baseball, as the game was evolving from the power-heavy styles of the 1970s into a more balanced approach in the early 1980s. While not a superstar, Strain's contributions to his teams reflected the heart and hustle characteristic of many players of his era, making him a notable figure 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 169 | 520 | 60 | 130 | 15 | 1 | 1 | 29 | 9 | 28 | 38 | 0.250 | 0.292 | 0.288 | 0.581 | -1674.5 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | SFG | NL | 67 | 257 | 27 | 62 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 12 | 8 | 13 | 21 | 0.241 | -942.7 |
| 1980 | SFG | NL | 77 | 189 | 26 | 54 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 1 | 10 | 10 | 0.286 | -343.9 |
| 1981 | CHC | NL | 25 | 74 | 7 | 14 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 0.189 | -388.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 129 | 117 | 270 | 371 | 11 | 57 |
| 3B | 7 | 5 | 3 | 12 | 2 | 1 |
| SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | SFN | 2B | 67 | 65 | 147 | 188 | 6 | 32 |
| 1979 | SFN | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1980 | SFN | 2B | 42 | 33 | 85 | 102 | 2 | 15 |
| 1980 | SFN | 3B | 6 | 5 | 3 | 11 | 2 | 1 |
| 1980 | SFN | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1981 | CHN | 2B | 20 | 19 | 38 | 81 | 3 | 10 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 129 |
| Third Base | 7 |
| Shortstop | 1 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Northern Colorado | Greeley | CO | 1973, 1974, 1975, 1976 |