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104. John Olerud

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104. John Olerud
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: August 5, 1968 in Seattle, WA USA
  • Weight: 205 lbs.
  • Height: 6'5"
  • Bats: L
  • Throws: L
  • Debut: September 03, 1989
  • Final Game: October 02, 2005
  • Hutch Award - 1993
  • Gold Glove - 2000
  • Gold Glove - 2002
  • Gold Glove - 2003
  • MVP - 1993
  • MVP - 1998
  • Rookie of the Year - 1990
 
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There are many people who think of John Olerud only as the guy who wore a batting helmet in the field, which he did so to protect his skull as (he had a brain aneurysm as a teenager.  He was undoubtedly a lot more than that!

Olerud came up through the Blue Jays system and would become their starting First Baseman in 1992, after platooning for three years.  Having never played a game in the minors, Olerud would help Toronto win the World Series in back-to-back seasons (1992 & 1993), with 1993 being incredibly impressive.  In that season, he would win the Batting Title (.363), and would also lead the American League in On Base Percentage (.473), OPS (1.072), and Doubles (54). 

Olerud would not have a year like that again, but there was a lot left for him to offer.  He had three more .300 Seasons (one with the New York Mets and two with Seattle), was an All-Star for a second time in 2001, and overall had five 20 Home Run Seasons, with 255.  

 

Defensively speaking, Olerud was on one of the best at his position.  He would win the Gold Glove three times and would finish either first or second in Total Zone Runs for First Basemen seven times.

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.
  • Eligible In: Saturday, 01 January 2011
  • Position: First Base
  • Played For: Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, New York Yankees, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Rings (2) (Toronto Blue Jays, 1992 & 1993) 
    All-Star (2) (1993 & 2001)
    Gold Glove (3) (AL) (2000, 2002 & 2003)
    Hutch Award (1) (1993)
    Highest Batting Average (1) (AL) (1993)
    Highest On Base Percentage (1) (AL) (1993)
    Highest OPS (1) (AL) (1993)
    Highest OPS+ (1) (AL) (1993) 
    Most Sacrifice Flies (2) (AL) (1991 & 2002)
    Most Intentional Walks (1) (AL) (1993)
    Most Assists by a First Baseman (3) (AL) (2000, 2001 & 2003)
    Most Double Plays Turned by a First Baseman (1) (AL) (2002)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a First Baseman (3) (AL) (1994 & 2000) (NL) (1998)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a First Baseman (2) (AL) (2000 & 2004) 

  • Other Points of Note:

    Top Ten MVP Finishes: 
    (AL: 1993, 3rd
    3 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Offensive bWAR)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (On Base Percentage)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Slugging Percentage)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (OPS) 
    1 Top Ten Finish (Runs Scored)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Hits)
    1 Top Ten Finish (Total Bases)
    2 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
    5 Top Ten Finishes (Triples)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
    4 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
    10 Top Ten Finishes (Walks) 
    1 Top Ten Finish (Singles)
    3 Top Ten Finishes (Win Probability Added)
    6 Top Ten Finishes (Championship Win Probability Added)

  • Notable All Time Rankings:

    5.    Total Zone Runs by a First Baseman: 95
    13.  Assists by a First Baseman: 1,418 
    16.  Double Plays Turned by a First Baseman: 1,581
    22.  Fielding Percentage by a First Baseman: .995
    34.  Putouts: 16,165
    34.  Putouts by a First Baseman: 16,165
    45.  Sacrifice Flies: 96
    45.  Intentional Walks: 157
    51.  Walks: 1,275
    63.  Doubles: 500
    71.  On Base Percentage: .398

  • Vote Percentage Received for the Hall of Fame:

    2011: 0.7%

  • Should be Inducted As A: Toronto Blue Jay

Should John Olerud be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 92.9%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 7.1%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 0%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 0%

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