Ellis Valentine
Born: 7/30/1954 in Helena, AR, USA
MLB Debut: 1975-09-03 | Final Game: 1985-10-02
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'4" | Weight: 205 lbs
Full name: Ellis Clarence Valentine
Biography
Ellis Valentine was a skilled position player whose career spanned from 1975 to 1985, leaving a notable mark in Major League Baseball. Born in 1954, Valentine played a total of 894 games, amassing 881 hits and demonstrating his power with 123 home runs. He recorded 474 RBIs and maintained a solid batting average of .278, showcasing his ability to contribute both offensively and defensively. With 59 stolen bases, Valentine also displayed speed on the bases, adding another dimension to his game.
Valentine earned recognition during his career, highlighted by his selection as an All-Star. His tenure coincided with a transformative period in baseball, marked by the transition towards more power-hitting and an increased emphasis on speed. Known for his strong arm and athleticism, he played a critical role in the outfield for his teams, helping to elevate the level of play during an era that saw the game evolve in both strategy and player capabilities. His contributions to the sport remain appreciated by fans and historians alike.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 894 | 3166 | 380 | 881 | 169 | 15 | 123 | 474 | 59 | 180 | 462 | 0.278 | 0.315 | 0.458 | 0.773 | 4000.6 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | WSN | NL | 12 | 33 | 2 | 12 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0.364 | 0.0 |
| 1976 | WSN | NL | 94 | 305 | 36 | 85 | 15 | 2 | 7 | 39 | 14 | 30 | 51 | 0.279 | 512.5 |
| 1977 | WSN | NL | 127 | 508 | 63 | 149 | 28 | 2 | 25 | 76 | 13 | 30 | 58 | 0.293 | 1284.4 |
| 1978 | WSN | NL | 151 | 570 | 75 | 165 | 35 | 2 | 25 | 76 | 13 | 35 | 88 | 0.289 | 1654.8 |
| 1979 | WSN | NL | 146 | 548 | 73 | 151 | 29 | 3 | 21 | 82 | 11 | 22 | 74 | 0.276 | 237.4 |
| 1980 | WSN | NL | 86 | 311 | 40 | 98 | 22 | 2 | 13 | 67 | 5 | 25 | 44 | 0.315 | 1343.2 |
| 1981 | WSN | NL | 22 | 76 | 8 | 16 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 15 | 0 | 6 | 11 | 0.211 | -150.0 |
| 1981 | NYN | NL | 48 | 169 | 15 | 35 | 8 | 1 | 5 | 21 | 0 | 5 | 38 | 0.207 | -150.0 |
| 1982 | NYN | NL | 111 | 337 | 33 | 97 | 14 | 1 | 8 | 48 | 1 | 5 | 38 | 0.288 | -270.9 |
| 1983 | LAA | AL | 86 | 271 | 30 | 65 | 10 | 2 | 13 | 43 | 2 | 18 | 48 | 0.240 | -89.5 |
| 1985 | TEX | AL | 11 | 38 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0.211 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 856 | 804 | 1570 | 85 | 47 | 17 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1975 | MON | OF | 11 | 8 | 12 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 1976 | MON | OF | 88 | 80 | 162 | 12 | 5 | 4 |
| 1977 | MON | OF | 126 | 125 | 232 | 9 | 7 | 1 |
| 1978 | MON | OF | 146 | 147 | 296 | 24 | 10 | 3 |
| 1979 | MON | OF | 144 | 144 | 281 | 10 | 5 | 2 |
| 1980 | MON | OF | 83 | 83 | 154 | 6 | 5 | 1 |
| 1981 | MON | OF | 21 | 21 | 32 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1981 | NYN | OF | 47 | 43 | 83 | 6 | 4 | 0 |
| 1982 | NYN | OF | 98 | 79 | 159 | 10 | 3 | 4 |
| 1983 | CAL | OF | 85 | 69 | 152 | 5 | 6 | 1 |
| 1985 | TEX | OF | 7 | 5 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 27 |
| Center Field | 60 |
| Right Field | 777 |
| Designated Hitter | 4 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Gold Glove | OF |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1977 | Most Valuable Player | NL | 21th | 3.0 | 336 | 0 |