586B7776757D4B766D716A6D7C7077190 wrote: May 31:
Kenny Lofton (1967): 2003; CF; 339 AB; 9-26-.277
Joe Orsulak (1962): 1983-86; OF; 876 AB; 2-44-.272
I liked Orsulak when he was with the Pirates, but really became a fan of his in the 90s. He came up as a speed guy, but had some leg injuries that took away that part of his game. He spent 1987 in the minors or injured, then was traded to the Orioles and latched on to most of the right field job on the 1988 team that began the season with 21 straight losses. He didn't have the power you want for a corner outfielder, so an off year at the point would be a big threat to his career.
Joe responded to that challenge by not having an off year for eight straight years. A career .273 hitter, he batted .260 to .289 every year for eight years. He earned a little more playing time, then the Orioles got good and replaced him and he went to the awful Mets. They eventually cleaned house, and he moved on to the Marlins, where he finally cratered to .221. By then, though, he had enough credibility in the game that he wrangled One Last Season out of the Expos, and hit .227 to prove that he was done. From the time he came back with the Orioles he went to the plate 3,756 times in majors, and drew his last paycheck at 35.
Best player born on May 31: Kenny Lofton (1967)
Orsulak was very popular in Baltimore too. He led the Orioles BA in 1988, 1989, 1992.
Today's Birthdays - May
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