Karl Olson

Born: 7/6/1930 in Ross, CA, USA

Died: 12/25/2010 in Reno, NV, USA

MLB Debut: 1951-06-30 | Final Game: 1957-06-10

Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'3" | Weight: 205 lbs

Full name: Karl Arthur Olson

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Biography

Karl Olson was a professional baseball player who played as a position player in Major League Baseball from 1951 until 1957. Born in 1930, Olson made his debut during a transformative period in baseball history marked by the gradual integration of the sport and the emergence of new playing styles. Over the course of his career, he participated in 279 games, recording 160 hits and achieving a batting average of .235. His contributions to his teams included 6 home runs and 50 runs batted in, showcasing his ability to drive in runs during critical moments. Despite not being a superstar, Olson's presence on the field was marked by his versatility and determination. He also demonstrated speed on the basepaths with 3 stolen bases, reflecting a playing style that valued agility and tactical awareness. Olson's career, which concluded on June 10, 1957, encapsulated the challenges and opportunities faced by players during a competitive era in baseball, navigating a landscape that was rapidly evolving both on and off the field. His legacy, while perhaps less celebrated than some of his contemporaries, contributed to the rich tapestry of baseball history.

Career Batting Statistics

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	AVG	OBP	SLG	OPS	PIV
279	681	74	160	25	6	6	50	3	43	94	0.235	0.278	0.316	0.594	-1918.7

Career AVG .235 vs. league average .260 across their career seasons — 9.7% below league average.

Career OBP .278 vs. league average .332 across their career seasons — 16.2% below league average.

Career SLG .316 vs. league average .393 across their career seasons — 19.6% below league average.

Career OPS 0.594 vs. league average 0.725 across their career seasons — 18.0% 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
1951	BOS	AL	5	10	0	1	0	0	0	0	0	0	3	0.100	—	—	—	—	0.0
1953	BOS	AL	25	57	5	7	2	0	1	6	0	1	9	0.123	.264 (-54%)	.335 (-59%)	.397 (-47%)	.733 (-52%)	-521.8
1954	BOS	AL	101	227	25	59	12	2	1	20	2	12	23	0.260	.261 (avg)	.333 (-12%)	.390 (-12%)	.723 (-12%)	-587.3
1955	BOS	AL	26	48	7	12	1	2	0	1	0	1	10	0.250	—	—	—	—	0.0
1956	WSN	AL	106	313	34	77	10	2	4	22	1	28	41	0.246	.258 (-5%)	.331 (-8%)	.397 (-17%)	.728 (-13%)	-809.6
1957	WSN	AL	8	12	2	2	0	0	0	0	0	1	2	0.167	—	—	—	—	0.0
1957	DET	AL	8	14	1	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	6	0.143	—	—	—	—	0.0