gold star for USAHOF

37. Joe Rudi

37. Joe Rudi
  1. General
  2. Awards
  3. Career Stats
  • Born: September 7, 1946 in Modesto, CA USA
  • Weight: 200 lbs.
  • Height: 6'2"
  • Bats: R
  • Throws: R
  • Debut: April 11, 1967
  • Final Game: October 03, 1982
  • TSN All-Star - 1972
  • Gold Glove - 1974
  • TSN All-Star - 1974
  • Gold Glove - 1975
  • Gold Glove - 1976
  • TSN All-Star - 1976
  • MVP - 1972
  • MVP - 1974
  • MVP - 1975
  • MVP - 1976
 
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An honored member of the three straight World Series Championships in the first half of the 1970s, Joe Rudi, was not just there, as the prime of his career occurred during this Oakland dynasty.

Rudi debuted for 19 Games in the organization’s final season in Kansas City, and he would infrequently play in the first two seasons in Oakland, as he was unable to get his Batting Average over .200.  This changed in 1970 when the now powerful Oakland A's would see Rudi's numbers rise as the permanent Leftfielder, and he would bat .309.

Oakland began their run of post-season championships in 1972, where Rudi was the AL's leader in Hits (181) and Triples (9), and this combined with his 19 Home Runs and .305 Batting Average would see him go to his first All-Star Game, and he was second to Dick Allen in MVP voting.  His production slipped in '73 during Oakland's second title, but in 1974, he was the American League Leader in Doubles (39), with a career-high 22 Home Runs, and was again the runner-up for the MVP, this time losing to Texas' Jeff Burroughs.  This year, Rudi would also win his first of three straight Gold Gloves.

He would have 21 Home Runs in 1975 and was sold to Boston for pennies during the 1976 season as part of Oakland owner, Charlie Finlay's fire sale.  The deal was voided, and Rudi returned to Oakland but left as a Free Agent at season's end to the California Angels.

He would come back in 1982 for one final season.  Rudi would contribute 1,468 Hits with 179 Home Runs for the Athletics.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Outfield
  • Acquired: Signed as an Amateur Free Agent 6/13/64.
  • Departed:

    Selected off Waivers from the Cleveland Indians as a First Year Waiver Pick 5/3/65.

    Acquired (2): Traded from the Cleveland Indians with Phil Roof for Jim Landis and Jim Rittwage 12/1/65.

    Departed (2): Purchased by the Boston Red Sox 6/15/76.

    Acquired (3): Previous Purchase voided by MLB 6/18/76.

    Departed (3): Signed as a Free Agent by the California Angels 11/17/76.

    Acquired (4): Signed as a Free Agent 12/4/81.

    Departed (4): Released 10/28/83.
  • Games Played: 1107
  • Notable Statistics: 487 Runs Scored
    1,087 Hits
    216 Doubles
    32 Triples
    116 Home Runs
    540 Runs Batted In
    21 Stolen Bases
    .272/.319/.430 Slash Line
    21.4 bWAR

    38 Playoff Games
    8 Runs Scored
    36 Hits
    6 Doubles
    1 Triple
    3 Home Runs
    15 Runs Batted In
    0 Stolen Bases
    .257/.323/.379 Slash Line
  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    World Series Champion (1972, 1973 & 1974)
    All-Star (1972, 1974 & 1975)
    Gold Glove (1974, 1975 & 1976)
    Most Hits (1972)
    Most Total Bases (1974)
    Most Doubles (1974)
    Most Triples (1972)
    Most Extra Base Hits (1974)
    Most Total Zone Runs by a Leftfielder (1971 & 1973)
    Highest Fielding Percentage by a Leftfielder (1973 & 1976)
    Most Total Zone Runs by an Outfielder (1971)

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