Mario Mendoza

George Brett coined the phrase “Mendoza line” to describe the point in the Sunday-paper batting statistics where the batters’ averages were below Mendoza’s. This was usually at about .200. Mendoza was considered a good-fielding shortstop, but the Mexican hit below .200 three straight seasons (1975-77) and five times in his nine-year career. He played most regularly in 1979 after being traded to the Mariners, hitting .198 in 148 games (373 at-bats). His career-high BA was .245 in 1980.