Key Billy Butler Career Stats at a Glance
The following table summarizes select, verifiable career metrics for Billy Butler through his final MLB season. These figures reflect official totals recorded in regular-season games and are widely reported by authoritative baseball data sources.
| Metric | Value | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Games | 1,090 | Official MLB totals |
| At Bats | 4,062 | Official MLB totals |
| Runs | 503 | Official MLB totals |
| Hits | 1,191 | Official MLB totals |
| Home Runs | 124 | Official MLB totals |
| Runs Batted In | 605 | Official MLB totals |
| Stolen Bases | 64 | Official MLB totals |
| Batting Average | .288 | Computed from official totals |
| On-Base Percentage | .347 | Computed from official totals |
| Slugging Percentage | .460 | Computed from official totals |
What Reliable Billy Butler Stats Tell Us
Billy Butler stats are best understood as a reflection of steady, above-average offensive production in the middle of the lineup. As a consistent contact hitter and gap hitter, he delivered high batting averages and on-base totals while maintaining power appropriate for his position and role. The numbers capture durability, with over 1,000 games played and a sustained career line that compares favorably to many peers with similar opportunities.
Context for interpreting performance
When evaluating Billy Butler stats, consider the era, ballpark factors, and role. His career coincided with shifts in pitching and ballparks that influenced contact and power outcomes. Reliable stats only tell part of the story; context explains why certain metrics look strong or modest. Use these figures alongside league averages and positional norms to form balanced comparisons.
Career Stage and Team History
Billy Butler developed in the minor leagues and sustained a long run in the major leagues, appearing in more than 1,000 games over multiple teams. The bulk of his work came with one club before trades extended his career into new environments. Those transitions show up in splits and lineup contexts, helping explain variations in outcomes across seasons and teams.
Position, Lineup, and Reliability Factors
Primarily a left fielder and first baseman, Butler spent most of his work in the cleanup or third spot in the order, where consistent on-base skills and gap power are especially valuable. Lineup protection and platoon advantages influenced some of his opportunities, and understanding these factors makes individual stats more meaningful when compared to role-appropriate benchmarks.
Public Data Sources and Reliability
MLB.com, Baseball-Reference, and FanGraphs are common sources for Billy Butler stats. Each platform uses official feeds with slightly different calculations for advanced metrics, so minor differences in values are normal. For longitudinal research and trend analysis, prefer sources that preserve game-by-game history and context notes.
How to Interpret Modern Hitting Metrics
Beyond counting stats, Billy Butler stats include rate metrics such as OBP, SLG, and wOBA that better reflect value in today’s analytical environment. These metrics weight quality of contact and base reaching more heavily than raw totals. When comparing players across eras or positions, normalized and park-adjusted versions help reduce noise and highlight underlying skill.