John Olerud

First baseman

Born: August 5, 1968 (age 48)
Seattle, Washington

Batted: Left

Threw: Left

MLB debut

September 3, 1989, for the Toronto Blue Jays

Last MLB appearance

October 2, 2005, for the Boston Red Sox

MLB statistics

.295

2,239

255

1,230

Teams

Career highlights and awards

John Garrett Olerud (/ˈoʊləruːd/; nicknamed Johnny O, and Big Rude; born August 5, 1968), is a left-handed American former Major League Baseball first baseman. Olerud played with the Toronto Blue Jays (1989–96), New York Mets (1997–99), Seattle Mariners (2000–2004), New York Yankees (2004) and Boston Red Sox (2005).

A patient, productive hitter throughout his career, Olerud won the American League batting title in 1993 and was runner-up for the National League batting title in 1998. Also a three-time Gold Glove winner, he was an excellent defensive first baseman and part of Sports Illustrated's "Greatest Infield Ever?" cover with Edgardo Alfonzo, Rey Ordóñez, and Robin Ventura, when he played for the Mets.

Olerud was born to Lynda and John E. Olerud, a physician, dermatologist and baseball player. The elder Olerud, as a catcher and captain of the Washington State Cougars, brought his team to the 1965 College World Series before being selected by the California Angels in the 1965 Major League Baseball draft and spending the next seven years both studying medicine and playing minor league baseball.