Garth Iorg

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Garth Ray Iorg (born October 12, 1954 in Arcata, California) is a former Major League Baseball player who played his entire career (1978-1987) for the Toronto Blue Jays.

After attending Redwoods College, Iorg was selected by the Blue Jays from the New York Yankees organization in the 1976 expansion draft. He made his debut on April 9, 1978.[1]

Iorg was a solid utility player who spent most of his career as the righthanded half of a third-base platoon with Rance Mulliniks. During his major league career, he also appeared at 2B, 1B, SS, DH and OF. Although he was an emergency catcher, he never played this position at the major league level. After he retired, he played shortstop for the Bradenton Explorers in the Senior Professional Baseball Association.

Iorg was most recognizable for his strange batting stance, on the toes of his front foot and leaning back toward the catcher as the ball was being pitched. Usually a singles hitter, Iorg hit well enough to have the highest batting average (.313) on the Blue Jays in their division-winning 1985 season, along with a .469 slugging percentage.

In his final major league plate appearance, Iorg made Toronto's last out of the 1987 season when a hit would have tied the Blue Jays with Detroit Tigers for the American League East title. In fairness, the Jays collapsed during the last two weeks of the season, losing their last seven games. At the time of his retirement, Iorg was the Blue Jays's career leader in pinch hits.[2]

Garth is the brother of Dane Iorg, another former Major League Baseball player.

Garth is the father of three sons who either play professional baseball or have been drafted into profession baseball. He is also the founder of the Yard Baseball School in Knoxville, TN.

[edit] Sporting Biographical Data

  • Draft: 1973:8th Round (181st)
  • First Game: 04-09-1978
  • Last Game: 10-04-1987
  • Bats : Right
  • Throws : Right
  • Height : 5-11
  • Weight : 170

[edit] Career Batting Stats

Career G AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB IBB SO SH SF HBP GIDP AVG OBP SLG
9 yrs 931 2,450 251 633 125 16 20 238 114 9 298 21 19 11 55 .258 .292 .347
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