Ken Suarez
Born: 4/12/1943 in Tampa, FL, USA
Died: 7/28/2023 in Fort Worth, TX, USA
MLB Debut: 1966-04-14 | Final Game: 1973-09-22
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 175 lbs
Full name: Kenneth Raymond Suarez
Biography
Ken Suarez was born in 1943 and enjoyed a professional baseball career that spanned from 1966 to 1973. Primarily a position player, Suarez played in a total of 295 games during his time in Major League Baseball. He demonstrated versatility on the field, contributing to his teams as a reliable backup catcher and infielder. His offensive contributions included 150 hits, 5 home runs, and 60 RBIs, culminating in a batting average of .227. Despite the challenges of competing in an era marked by the rise of power hitting, Suarez managed to make his mark with a solid work ethic and a keen understanding of the game.
Throughout his career, Suarez was known for his ability to handle pitchers and contribute defensively, as evidenced by his presence in various positions. His tenure in the league coincided with a transformative period in baseball, as teams began to embrace a more strategic approach to the game. Suarez's contributions, though modest in terms of statistics, exemplified the grit and determination often required of players who play supporting roles on competitive teams. After retiring on September 22, 1973, he left behind a legacy as a player who embraced the spirit of teamwork and resilience in the face of the changing dynamics of the sport.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 295 | 661 | 57 | 150 | 29 | 1 | 5 | 60 | 5 | 99 | 97 | 0.227 | 0.330 | 0.297 | 0.626 | -395.0 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | KC1 | AL | 35 | 69 | 5 | 10 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 15 | 26 | 0.145 | -291.0 |
| 1967 | KC1 | AL | 39 | 63 | 7 | 15 | 5 | 0 | 2 | 9 | 1 | 16 | 21 | 0.238 | 268.1 |
| 1968 | CLE | AL | 17 | 10 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0.100 | 0.0 |
| 1969 | CLE | AL | 36 | 85 | 7 | 25 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 1 | 15 | 12 | 0.294 | 260.5 |
| 1971 | CLE | AL | 50 | 123 | 10 | 25 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 0 | 18 | 15 | 0.203 | -223.8 |
| 1972 | TEX | AL | 25 | 33 | 2 | 5 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 0.152 | 0.0 |
| 1973 | TEX | AL | 93 | 278 | 25 | 69 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 27 | 1 | 33 | 16 | 0.248 | -408.8 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| C | 273 | 211 | 1350 | 121 | 24 | 19 |
| OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | KC1 | C | 34 | 26 | 145 | 20 | 8 | 7 |
| 1967 | KC1 | C | 36 | 22 | 170 | 20 | 4 | 2 |
| 1968 | CLE | C | 12 | 1 | 22 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1968 | CLE | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 1968 | CLE | 3B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1968 | CLE | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1969 | CLE | C | 36 | 29 | 191 | 20 | 2 | 3 |
| 1971 | CLE | C | 48 | 39 | 268 | 14 | 2 | 3 |
| 1972 | TEX | C | 17 | 6 | 53 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1973 | TEX | C | 90 | 88 | 501 | 44 | 6 | 4 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Catcher | 271 |
| Second Base | 1 |
| Third Base | 1 |
| Left Field | 1 |
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida State University | Tallahassee | FL | 1963 |