Mike Potter (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Michael Gary Potter is a former right-handed major league baseball outfielder who played from to for the St. Louis Cardinals
.
Originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers
in the 3rd round of the 1970 amateur draft
, Potter chose not to sign. However, when he was drafted by the Cardinals out of Mount San Antonio College in the sixth round of the secondary phase of the 1971 amateur draft
, he did sign.
Potter made his major league debut on September 6, 1976, at the age of 25. Facing pitcher Steve Dunning
, Potter went 0-3 with two strikeouts in his big league debut. In 16 at-bats in his first season, Potter did not collect a single hit. However, he did walk once.
He appeared in only five games in 1977, collecting no hits in seven at-bats. In total, Potter played in 14 big league games, collecting no hits in 23 at-bats. He is tied with Larry Littleton
for most career at-bats by a non-pitcher without a hit.
He played his final big league game on October 2, 1977.
Potter returned to the minors to bring his professional career to a close. In the 1978 minor league season, Potter hit 22 home runs and drove in 94 RBI. On October 27, 1978, he was sent by the Cardinals to the Seattle Mariners
to complete an earlier trade made on June 26, 1978. Originally, the Cardinals sent a player to be named later
to the Mariners for José Báez
. He hit only five home runs in 117 minor league games in 1979.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
.
Originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
in the 3rd round of the 1970 amateur draft
1970 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1970 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The regular and secondary phases of the January draft proved more fruitful to major league clubs than the June draft...
, Potter chose not to sign. However, when he was drafted by the Cardinals out of Mount San Antonio College in the sixth round of the secondary phase of the 1971 amateur draft
1971 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1971 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :The June 1971 draft was a productive one, even though none of its top ten choices yielded players who would have memorable major league careers...
, he did sign.
Potter made his major league debut on September 6, 1976, at the age of 25. Facing pitcher Steve Dunning
Steve Dunning
Steven John Dunning is a former professional baseball player who played seven seasons for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, California Angels, Montreal Expos, and Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball...
, Potter went 0-3 with two strikeouts in his big league debut. In 16 at-bats in his first season, Potter did not collect a single hit. However, he did walk once.
He appeared in only five games in 1977, collecting no hits in seven at-bats. In total, Potter played in 14 big league games, collecting no hits in 23 at-bats. He is tied with Larry Littleton
Larry Littleton
Larry Marvin Littleton was an American professional baseball outfielder who played for the Cleveland Indians during the 1981 baseball season. He shares with Mike Potter the Major League Baseball record for at-bats without a hit by a non-pitcher, with 23.-References:...
for most career at-bats by a non-pitcher without a hit.
He played his final big league game on October 2, 1977.
Potter returned to the minors to bring his professional career to a close. In the 1978 minor league season, Potter hit 22 home runs and drove in 94 RBI. On October 27, 1978, he was sent by the Cardinals to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
to complete an earlier trade made on June 26, 1978. Originally, the Cardinals sent a player to be named later
Player to be named later
The concept of the "player to be named later" is most often associated with Major League Baseball and Minor League Baseball trades.-Description:...
to the Mariners for José Báez
José Báez
José Antonio Mota Báez is a former Major League Baseball player.-Los Angeles Dodgers:Báez was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in as an amateur free agent.-Seattle Mariners:...
. He hit only five home runs in 117 minor league games in 1979.