Wayne Tolleson
Born: 11/22/1955 in Spartanburg, SC, USA
MLB Debut: 1981-09-01 | Final Game: 1990-09-30
Bats: B | Throws: R | Height: 5'9" | Weight: 160 lbs
Full name: Jimmy Wayne Tolleson
Biography
Wayne Tolleson was a professional baseball player who enjoyed a decade-long career in Major League Baseball from 1981 to 1990. Born in 1955, Tolleson carved out a niche as a versatile position player, primarily known for his defensive skills and speed on the bases. Over the course of his career, he played in 863 games, accumulating 559 hits and a batting average of .241. Though he hit only 9 home runs, his contributions were often felt in other aspects of the game, as he recorded 133 RBIs and stole 108 bases, showcasing his ability to create scoring opportunities.
Tolleson's career unfolded during a dynamic period in baseball history that saw the rise of both power hitters and increasingly specialized roles within teams. His agility and base-running prowess provided teams with an important strategic asset, particularly in late-game situations. While not a household name, Tolleson's reliability and work ethic earned him respect among teammates and fans alike, and he remains a notable figure for those who appreciate the nuanced contributions of role players in the grand tapestry of baseball history. After retiring on September 30, 1990, Tolleson's legacy continues to resonate among baseball historians and enthusiasts who recognize the value of players who excel in supporting roles.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 863 | 2322 | 301 | 559 | 60 | 17 | 9 | 133 | 108 | 219 | 384 | 0.241 | 0.307 | 0.293 | 0.600 | -6440.6 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | TEX | AL | 14 | 24 | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 0.167 | 0.0 |
| 1982 | TEX | AL | 38 | 70 | 6 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | 14 | 0.114 | -673.3 |
| 1983 | TEX | AL | 134 | 470 | 64 | 122 | 13 | 2 | 3 | 20 | 33 | 40 | 68 | 0.260 | -927.8 |
| 1984 | TEX | AL | 118 | 338 | 35 | 72 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 9 | 22 | 27 | 47 | 0.213 | -1570.8 |
| 1985 | TEX | AL | 123 | 323 | 45 | 101 | 9 | 5 | 1 | 18 | 21 | 21 | 46 | 0.313 | 176.6 |
| 1986 | CHW | AL | 81 | 260 | 39 | 65 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 29 | 13 | 38 | 43 | 0.250 | -204.6 |
| 1986 | NYY | AL | 60 | 215 | 22 | 61 | 9 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 4 | 14 | 33 | 0.284 | -204.6 |
| 1987 | NYY | AL | 121 | 349 | 48 | 77 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 22 | 5 | 43 | 72 | 0.221 | -1694.4 |
| 1988 | NYY | AL | 21 | 59 | 8 | 15 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 1 | 8 | 12 | 0.254 | -69.6 |
| 1989 | NYY | AL | 80 | 140 | 16 | 23 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 16 | 23 | 0.164 | -667.3 |
| 1990 | NYY | AL | 73 | 74 | 12 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 1 | 6 | 21 | 0.149 | -590.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2B | 292 | 238 | 524 | 720 | 31 | 158 |
| 3B | 143 | 101 | 80 | 208 | 17 | 20 |
| OF | 3 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| SS | 409 | 308 | 497 | 964 | 39 | 204 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1981 | TEX | 3B | 6 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| 1981 | TEX | SS | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | TEX | 2B | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | TEX | 3B | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | TEX | SS | 26 | 23 | 47 | 68 | 5 | 20 |
| 1983 | TEX | 2B | 112 | 107 | 246 | 315 | 16 | 69 |
| 1983 | TEX | SS | 26 | 20 | 22 | 57 | 1 | 12 |
| 1984 | TEX | 2B | 109 | 94 | 191 | 276 | 10 | 61 |
| 1984 | TEX | 3B | 5 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1984 | TEX | SS | 7 | 2 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| 1984 | TEX | OF | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | TEX | 2B | 29 | 19 | 44 | 65 | 4 | 11 |
| 1985 | TEX | 3B | 12 | 3 | 9 | 8 | 2 | 0 |
| 1985 | TEX | SS | 81 | 67 | 96 | 182 | 8 | 37 |
| 1986 | CHA | 3B | 65 | 60 | 37 | 113 | 7 | 9 |
| 1986 | CHA | SS | 18 | 10 | 13 | 25 | 1 | 3 |
| 1986 | CHA | OF | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | NYA | 2B | 3 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| 1986 | NYA | 3B | 7 | 5 | 5 | 10 | 1 | 2 |
| 1986 | NYA | SS | 56 | 53 | 87 | 177 | 5 | 35 |
| 1987 | NYA | 3B | 3 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 2 |
| 1987 | NYA | SS | 119 | 108 | 162 | 321 | 15 | 64 |
| 1988 | NYA | 2B | 12 | 9 | 20 | 33 | 1 | 7 |
| 1988 | NYA | 3B | 10 | 8 | 8 | 21 | 2 | 2 |
| 1988 | NYA | SS | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | NYA | 2B | 13 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 0 | 5 |
| 1989 | NYA | 3B | 28 | 20 | 14 | 38 | 5 | 5 |
| 1989 | NYA | SS | 28 | 12 | 25 | 54 | 2 | 10 |
| 1990 | NYA | 2B | 13 | 6 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 4 |
| 1990 | NYA | 3B | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | NYA | SS | 45 | 13 | 43 | 72 | 2 | 22 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Second Base | 293 |
| Third Base | 141 |
| Shortstop | 410 |
| Left Field | 1 |
| Center Field | 2 |
| Designated Hitter | 27 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | NYA | AL | $425,000 |
| 1988 | NYA | AL | $410,000 |
| 1987 | NYA | AL | $385,000 |
| 1986 | DET | AL | $275,000 |
| 1985 | TEX | AL | $135,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $1,630,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| Western Carolina University | Cullowhee | NC | 1975, 1976, 1977, 1978 |