Mike Ivie

From BR Bullpen

Michael Wilson Ivie

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 3", Weight 205 lb.

Debut September 4, 1971
Final Game May 7, 1983
Born August 8, 1952 in Atlanta, GA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

Mike Ivie was the first overall selection in the 1970 amateur draft, a draft which featured three catchers selected in the first four picks taken. He played eleven years in the majors, never having as many as 500 at-bats in any one seaason, not even in 1979 when he hit 27 home runs in 402 at-bats. Bill James once called him a potential MVP if given 550 at-bats to cut loose.

Ivie played mostly first base, but also appeared in 92 games at third, 46 in the outfield, nine at catcher, 79 at DH, and even one game at second base. He originally came up at age 19 as a catcher in 1971, the year after he had been drafted.