John Olerud

John Garrett Olerud (born August 5, 1968 in Seattle, Washington) is an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who, as of 2005, is playing for the Boston Red Sox. Previously, Olerud played with the Toronto Blue Jays (1989-96), New York Mets (1997-99), Seattle Mariners (2000-2004) and New York Yankees (2004).

Career

In a 17-season career through 2005, Olerud has posted a .295 batting average with 248 home runs and 1193 RBI in 2147 games.

Related Topics:
Batting average - Home run - RBI - Games

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With one of the smoothest swings in the game, Olerud is strictly a line drive hitter to all parts of the field. He is patient at the plate, usually drawing 90-100 walks a season. Despite being one of the slowest players in MLB, Olerud is a very intelligent base runner. A three-time Gold Glove winner, he is a solid first baseman with a good throwing arm and an average range.

Related Topics:
Walks - Gold Glove

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Well known for not having played a game in the minor leagues until his late thirties, Olerud jumped directly to the majors after a stellar career at Washington State University where he was a pitcher. He is known for wearing a batting helmet in the field as a precaution since he suffered a brain aneurysm while playing in college.

Related Topics:
Minor leagues - Washington State University - Pitcher - Batting helmet - Aneurysm

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Olerud broke into MLB with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1989. He was platooned by Jays' manager Cito Gaston for the first few years of his career, until his breakout season in 1993, when he led the American League in average (.363), times on base (321), on-base percentage (.473), OPS (1.072), and doubles (54, also a career high), while posting career highs in home runs (24), RBI (107), runs (109), and hits (200).

Related Topics:
1989 - Manager - Cito Gaston - 1993 - American League - Times on base - On-base percentage - OPS - Doubles - Runs - Hits

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A two-time All-Star, Olerud was a member of two World Series champion teams with the Blue Jays (1992-93). He could not duplicate his success in the next three years, and was traded to the New York Mets in December 1996.

Related Topics:
All-Star - World Series - 1992 - 93

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With the Mets, Olerud had three successful seasons. In 1997 he hit .294 with 22 home runs and a new career-high 128 RBI. He finished second in the batting race with .354 in 1998 (behind .363 of Larry Walker). And in 1999, he hit .298 with 96 RBI and 125 walks to help his team to the NL championship series before losing to Atlanta in six games.

Related Topics:
1997 - 1998 - Larry Walker - 1999 - NL championship series - Atlanta

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Following the 1999 season, Olerud decided to sign with the Seattle Mariners to be near his family. He was a big part of the Mariners' 116-46 2001 season, hitting .302 with 103 RBI and a .392 on-base percentage. In 2000 he amassed 103 RBI, hitting .302 with 21 home runs and 95 RBI. He recorded .300 batting average, 22 home runs, and 102 RBI in 2002.

Related Topics:
2001 - 2000 - 2002

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After being released by the Mariners in the middle of the 2004 season, Olerud was signed by the New York Yankees to fill a void left at first base left by the injured Jason Giambi. His final game with the Yankees was Game 3 of the AL championship series when he was forced to leave due to an injured foot.

Related Topics:
Jason Giambi - AL championship series

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Olerud was due to pinch hit in game seven of the AL championship series, but the last out was made while he was in the on deck circle.

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On May 1, 2005, the Boston Red Sox and Olerud agreed to terms on a minor league contract. He had been recovering from surgery in November 2004 to repair torn ligaments in his left foot. Initially, Olerud reported to the club's spring training complex in Fort Myers, Florida. He was added to Boston 25-man roster on May 27. He now platoons the first base job with Kevin Millar.

Related Topics:
2005 - Ligaments - Spring training - Fort Myers, Florida - Kevin Millar

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