Paul Runge (infielder)
Encyclopedia
Paul William Runge is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball
for the Atlanta Braves
from until . He currently serves as minor league field coordinator for the Houston Astros
.
Runge was drafted by the Braves in the first round of the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft
and spent his entire major league career with them, playing parts of eight seasons in the majors. Runge was a utility infielder
, splitting his time between third base
, shortstop
, and second base
. Throughout those seasons, he never played in more than 52 games, nor did he come to bat more than 110 times.
Since , Runge has been a manager at various levels of the Braves organization. He has managed the Idaho Falls Braves in 1993, the Danville Braves
in , the Eugene Emeralds
in , the Macon Braves in , the Durham Bulls
in , the Danville 97s
in , the Greenville Braves
from through , and then back to the Danville Braves
from through . In November 2010, it was announced that Runge would be managing the Rome Braves. However, he instead chose to leave the Braves organization to join the Astros.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
from until . He currently serves as minor league field coordinator for the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
.
Runge was drafted by the Braves in the first round of the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft
1979 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1979 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was held on June 5-7, 1979, via conference call.-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1979 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :...
and spent his entire major league career with them, playing parts of eight seasons in the majors. Runge was a utility infielder
Utility infielder
A utility infielder is a baseball player, usually one who does not have a regular starting role on the team and who is capable of playing more than one of the four defensive infield positions: second base, third base, shortstop, and less typically first base...
, splitting his time between third base
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, and second base
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
. Throughout those seasons, he never played in more than 52 games, nor did he come to bat more than 110 times.
Since , Runge has been a manager at various levels of the Braves organization. He has managed the Idaho Falls Braves in 1993, the Danville Braves
Danville Braves
The Danville Braves are a minor league baseball team in Danville, Virginia, USA. They are an Advanced Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Atlanta Braves since 1993. The Braves play home games at American Legion Post 325 Field...
in , the Eugene Emeralds
Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds is a minor league baseball team in Eugene, Oregon, United States. They are a short-season Class A team in the Northwest League, and have been a farm team of the San Diego Padres since 2001....
in , the Macon Braves in , the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
in , the Danville 97s
Danville 97s
The Danville 97s were a minor league baseball team based in Danville, Virginia for the 1998 season only. They were a baseball team that played in the Carolina League and were affiliated with the Atlanta Braves for their lone season. Prior to the 97s, the Durham Bulls were the Braves High-A...
in , the Greenville Braves
Greenville Braves
The Greenville Braves were an American minor league baseball franchise, based in Greenville, South Carolina, that served as the Class AA farm team of the Atlanta Braves between 1984 and 2004...
from through , and then back to the Danville Braves
Danville Braves
The Danville Braves are a minor league baseball team in Danville, Virginia, USA. They are an Advanced Rookie-level team in the Appalachian League and have been a farm team of the Atlanta Braves since 1993. The Braves play home games at American Legion Post 325 Field...
from through . In November 2010, it was announced that Runge would be managing the Rome Braves. However, he instead chose to leave the Braves organization to join the Astros.