Max Venable
Born: 6/6/1957 in Phoenix, AZ, USA
MLB Debut: 1979-04-08 | Final Game: 1991-10-06
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 5'10" | Weight: 185 lbs
Full name: William McKinley Venable
Biography
Max Venable was a professional baseball player born in 1957, who made a significant impact in Major League Baseball from 1979 until his retirement on October 6, 1991. Primarily known for his versatility as a position player, Venable appeared in 727 games throughout his career. He showcased a blend of speed and power, finishing his career with 337 hits, 18 home runs, and 128 RBIs. His batting average stood at .241, while he also demonstrated his base-running ability by accumulating 64 stolen bases.
Venable played during a transformative era in baseball, navigating the game through the late 1970s and into the early 1990s, a time characterized by the increasing importance of specialized roles and the evolution of offensive strategies. Although he may not have achieved superstar status, Venable's contributions to his teams were notable, particularly his ability to make plays and contribute in key moments. His career left a lasting impression, particularly among fans of the teams he played for, as he served as a reliable presence on the field throughout his tenure in the league.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 727 | 1397 | 176 | 337 | 57 | 17 | 18 | 128 | 64 | 120 | 218 | 0.241 | 0.302 | 0.345 | 0.647 | -2261.3 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | SFG | NL | 55 | 85 | 12 | 14 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 3 | 10 | 18 | 0.165 | -527.8 |
| 1980 | SFG | NL | 64 | 138 | 13 | 37 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 10 | 8 | 15 | 22 | 0.268 | -230.3 |
| 1981 | SFG | NL | 18 | 32 | 2 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 0.188 | 0.0 |
| 1982 | SFG | NL | 71 | 125 | 17 | 28 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 7 | 16 | 0.224 | -518.7 |
| 1983 | SFG | NL | 94 | 228 | 28 | 50 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 27 | 15 | 22 | 34 | 0.219 | -336.6 |
| 1984 | WSN | NL | 38 | 71 | 7 | 17 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 7 | 0.239 | -145.5 |
| 1985 | CIN | NL | 77 | 135 | 21 | 39 | 12 | 3 | 0 | 10 | 11 | 6 | 17 | 0.289 | 2.6 |
| 1986 | CIN | NL | 108 | 147 | 17 | 31 | 7 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 7 | 17 | 24 | 0.211 | -471.5 |
| 1987 | CIN | NL | 7 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0.143 | 0.0 |
| 1989 | LAA | AL | 20 | 53 | 7 | 19 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 1 | 16 | 0.358 | 121.6 |
| 1990 | LAA | AL | 93 | 189 | 26 | 49 | 9 | 3 | 4 | 21 | 5 | 24 | 31 | 0.259 | 159.7 |
| 1991 | LAA | AL | 82 | 187 | 24 | 46 | 8 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 2 | 11 | 30 | 0.246 | -314.9 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 471 | 275 | 688 | 22 | 13 | 3 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | SFN | OF | 25 | 17 | 30 | 2 | 3 | 0 |
| 1980 | SFN | OF | 40 | 29 | 61 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1981 | SFN | OF | 5 | 5 | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1982 | SFN | OF | 53 | 22 | 66 | 6 | 1 | 2 |
| 1983 | SFN | OF | 66 | 50 | 141 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 1984 | MON | OF | 27 | 11 | 33 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1985 | CIN | OF | 39 | 26 | 60 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 1986 | CIN | OF | 57 | 19 | 63 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| 1987 | CIN | OF | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1989 | CAL | OF | 13 | 11 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 1990 | CAL | OF | 77 | 40 | 112 | 3 | 3 | 1 |
| 1991 | CAL | OF | 65 | 44 | 86 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 248 |
| Center Field | 141 |
| Right Field | 113 |
| Designated Hitter | 4 |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | SDN | NL | $412,800 |
| 1991 | CAL | AL | $425,000 |
| 1990 | CAL | AL | $200,000 |
| 1986 | CIN | NL | $225,000 |
| 1985 | CIN | NL | $155,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $1,417,800 | ||