Juan Pierre Remembered for Blazing Speed, Lack of Power, and Class

Tis the season for former Dodgers to retire I guess. Just a couple of days after hearing the announcement of Mark Ellis’s retirement, we now get the word that veteran outfielder Juan Pierre has also retired. Pierre played just three seasons with the Dodgers, (2007-2009), but is best remembered for his speed on the base paths, and filling in for the suspended Manny Ramirez in 2009.

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Of course while the left handed hitting and throwing Pierre may not have had an ounce of power, or much of a throwing arm, he certainly made up for that with speed on the base paths. Pierre led his respective league in stolen bases three times, (2001 46 steals, 2003 65 steals, and 2010 68 steals) ending his MLB career with 614 stolen bases.

Pierre was a career .295 hitter playing for six teams during his fourteen year MLB career. Pierre had 2,217 hits, and finished with 200 or more hits twice (2004, 2006). Pierre also totaled 94 triples, and finished with 464 walks, and an OBP of .343.

Even with his noodle arm, Pierre still racked up 44 outfield assists. Pierre generally played well in the postseason too. In 26 playoff games, and 90 postseason plate appearances, Pierre batted .304 (24 for 79). He had ten hits during the 2003 NLCS when he was with the Marlins.

Pierre’s lack of power was a subject of much hilarity. Pierre hit just 18 big league home runs. His only home run as a Dodger came on September 15, 2008 against Pirate’s reliever Marino Salas. Just how punchless was Pierre? Well, Pierre registered the fourth lowest career home run rate in MLB history. Pierre hit a dinger once every 450 plate appearances. or roughly one per year. His last home run of his career came in 2013 while with the Marlins against Mat Latos. It was enough to make Latos giggle just a little bit.

Pierre did not play at all in 2014, and last played for the Marlins in 2013. Pierre batted .247 in 113 games and 330 plate appearances for the Fish in 2013. He hit one home run, and drove in just eight runs that year. However he still managed to steal 23 bases.