Steve Whitaker
Born: 5/7/1943 in Tacoma, WA, USA
MLB Debut: 1966-08-23 | Final Game: 1970-05-09
Bats: L | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 180 lbs
Full name: Stephen Edward Whitaker
Biography
Steve Whitaker was an American professional baseball player born in 1943, who made his mark in Major League Baseball as a position player from 1966 until 1970. Whitaker played a total of 266 games during his career, primarily as an outfielder, showcasing his versatility on the field. Throughout his time in the league, he accumulated 174 hits, 24 home runs, and 85 runs batted in, finishing his career with a batting average of .23. In addition to his offensive contributions, Whitaker also demonstrated speed on the base paths, recording 4 stolen bases.
Whitaker made his debut in an era characterized by the transition from the deadball era to a time when power hitters began to reshape the game. Despite not achieving the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries, his contributions were significant during a pivotal time in baseball history. With his solid defensive skills and ability to contribute offensively, Whitaker left a lasting impression on the teams he played for, reflecting the evolving nature of player roles in professional baseball. His career, though relatively brief, remains a testament to the depth of talent that characterized the sport during the late 1960s.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 266 | 758 | 73 | 174 | 20 | 6 | 24 | 85 | 4 | 54 | 174 | 0.230 | 0.283 | 0.367 | 0.650 | -258.9 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | NYY | AL | 31 | 114 | 15 | 28 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 0 | 9 | 24 | 0.246 | 268.0 |
| 1967 | NYY | AL | 122 | 441 | 37 | 107 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 50 | 2 | 23 | 89 | 0.243 | -365.2 |
| 1968 | NYY | AL | 28 | 60 | 3 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 18 | 0.117 | -359.9 |
| 1969 | SE1 | AL | 69 | 116 | 15 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 6 | 13 | 2 | 12 | 29 | 0.250 | 198.2 |
| 1970 | SFG | NL | 16 | 27 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 14 | 0.111 | 0.0 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| OF | 207 | 183 | 334 | 22 | 12 | 6 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1966 | NYA | OF | 31 | 30 | 61 | 3 | 3 | 0 |
| 1967 | NYA | OF | 114 | 108 | 202 | 12 | 4 | 6 |
| 1968 | NYA | OF | 14 | 14 | 20 | 2 | 2 | 0 |
| 1969 | SE1 | OF | 39 | 27 | 45 | 5 | 2 | 0 |
| 1970 | SFN | OF | 9 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| Left Field | 68 |
| Center Field | 39 |
| Right Field | 108 |