John Olerud
From BR Bullpen
- Note: This page links to John Olerud, the major league first baseman. For his father, the minor league catcher, see John E. Olerud.
John Garrett Olerud
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 5", Weight 220 lb.
- School Washington State University
- Debut September 3, 1989
- Final Game October 7, 2005
- Born August 5, 1968 in Seattle, WA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
John Olerud had two spectacular seasons in a career that was otherwise above-average but not that noteworthy. In 1993, while with the Toronto Blue Jays, he hit .363 to lead the American League. He also had 114 walks to lead the league in on-base percentage, and led the league with 54 doubles. All three performances were far above what he had previously done. After that, he went back to being above-average but relatively ordinary until 1998, with the New York Mets, when he hit .354 with 96 walks. His batting average and on-base percentage were second in the league.
In general, he usually hit around .280 or .290 (his lifetime average was .295). He had very good ability at hitting doubles, with exactly 500 lifetime (45th all-time), and hit some homers also, with 255 lifetime. He drew a lot of walks, with his 1,275 lifetime walks placing him 40th on the all-time list. Defensively, he won three Gold Gloves.
The most similar players to Olerud, based on the similarity scores method, are Will Clark and Edgar Martinez.
He was a regular on the great 2001 Seattle Mariners team that won 116 games. He hit .302 with 21 home runs, each of which was fourth best on the team.
He used to play defense at first base while wearing a batting helmet, because, as a teenager he had a brain anuerysm. He retired following the 2005 season.
Olerud is the son of John E. Olerud, a minor league catcher for seven years, and a cousin of infielder Dale Sveum.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 2-time AL All-Star (1993 & 2001)
- 3-time AL Gold Glove Winner (2000, 2002 & 2003)
- AL Batting Average Leader (1993)
- AL On-Base Percentage Leader (1993)
- AL OPS Leader (1993)
- AL Doubles Leader (1993)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 5 (1993, 1997, 1998, 2001 & 2002)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 4 (1993, 1997, 2000 & 2002)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1993 & 1999)
- 200 Hits Seasons: 1 (1993)
- Won two World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays (1992 & 1993)
