John Balaz, baseball player, 1974-1975

John Balaz

Born: 11/24/1950 in Toronto, ON, CAN

MLB Debut: 1974-09-10 | Final Game: 1975-09-28

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 180 lbs

Full name: John Lawrence Balaz

📊 Compare This Player 📈 View Career Timeline

Biography

John Balaz, born in 1950, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball during a brief career from 1974 to 1975. Primarily a position player, Balaz played a total of 59 games, during which he recorded 39 hits, including 2 home runs, and drove in 15 runs, finishing his career with a batting average of .241. His contributions on the field, while limited in duration, reflected the competitive spirit of the mid-1970s, a period characterized by a transition in the game as it moved away from the deadball era into a more offensively focused style of play. Balaz's career, though not lengthy, showcased his determination and adaptability as a player. He played during a time when the game was evolving, with players beginning to push the boundaries of hitting and pitching. Despite not being known for speed, as evidenced by his 0 stolen bases, his ability to contribute to the team's offensive efforts highlighted his role as a versatile player during his time in the league. Balaz's journey through Major League Baseball remains a testament to the perseverance of athletes striving for success in one of the most challenging sports environments.

Career Batting Statistics

G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG OBP SLG OPS PIV
59 162 14 39 8 1 2 15 0 7 35 0.241 0.275 0.340 0.614 -284.6

Career AVG .241 vs. league average .257 across their career seasons — 6.4% below league average.

Career OBP .275 vs. league average .326 across their career seasons — 15.6% below league average.

Career SLG .340 vs. league average .372 across their career seasons — 8.6% below league average.

Career OPS 0.614 vs. league average 0.697 across their career seasons — 11.9% below league average.

Season-by-Season Batting

Year Team Lg G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO AVG Lg AVG Lg OBP Lg SLG Lg OPS PIV
1974 LAA AL 14 42 4 10 0 0 1 5 0 2 10 0.238 — — — — 0.0
1975 LAA AL 45 120 10 29 8 1 1 10 0 5 25 0.242 .257 (-6%) .327 (-18%) .374 (-6%) .701 (-12%) -284.6

Fielding Statistics

Career Fielding Totals by Position

Position G GS PO A E DP
OF 39 34 57 3 0 1

Season-by-Season Fielding

Year Team Pos G GS PO A E DP
1974 CAL OF 12 12 17 0 0 0
1975 CAL OF 27 22 40 3 0 1

Career Games by Position

Position Games
Left Field 31
Right Field 8
Designated Hitter 12

College History

School Name City State Years Attended
San Diego City College San Diego CA 1970