John Olerud
Two-time All-Star and three-time Gold Glove first baseman who won two World Series with the Blue Jays and led the AL in batting in 1993.
John Garrett Olerud Jr. (born August 5, 1968) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from through , most prominently as a member of the Toronto Blue Jays team that won two consecutive World Series championships in and . He also played for the New York Mets, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox.
Quick Facts
- Role
- First Baseman
- Affiliation
- Seattle Mariners
- Toronto Blue Jays
- New York Mets
- Boston Red Sox
- Primary tenure
- 1989–2005
- Status
- Retired Legend
Lore & Background
A two-time All-Star, Olerud was a patient, productive hitter throughout his career, winning the American League batting title in 1993, and finishing as runner-up for the National League batting title in 1998. Olerud was also an excellent defensive first baseman, and won three Gold Glove Awards. In 1999, he appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated titled 'The Best Infield Ever?' along with Edgardo Alfonzo, Rey Ordóñez, and Robin Ventura, when he played for the Mets. Olerud was notable for wearing a helmet while on defense, due to his suffering from a brain aneurysm in college.
Reader's Guide
Olerud broke into MLB with the Toronto Blue Jays in , without ever playing in the minors. He was platooned by Jays' manager Cito Gaston for the first few years of his career, until , when he became the team's full-time first baseman. In , his breakout season, he led the American League in batting average (.363), intentional walks (33), 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), RBIs (107), runs (109), and hits (200). After the 1996 season, Olerud was traded to the New York Mets on December 20 for Robert Person. With the Mets, he set a team record in 1998 by reaching base at least twice in 12 straight starts. Following the 1999 season, Olerud agreed to a three-year, $20 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. He earned all three of his Gold Glove Awards while playing first base for Seattle in 2000, 2002, and 2003. In mid-July 2004, the Mariners designated Olerud for assignment; he was released. About a week later, he was signed by the New York Yankees to fill a void at first base.
Did You Know?
- Olerud is one of only 26 players to ever hit for the cycle multiple times in their careers.
- Olerud led the American League in batting average (.363) in 1993 and flirted with a .400 average as late as August 2.
- He set Mets single-season records for batting average (.354) and on-base percentage (.447) in 1998.
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