Rudy Law

Rudy Karl Law

• Bats Left, Throws Left
• Height 6' 1", Weight 165 lb.
• High School Ravenswood High School (East Palo Alto)
• Debut September 12, 1978
• Final Game October 4, 1986
• Born October 7, 1956 in Waco, TX USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Rudy Law played seven seasons in the major leagues, hitting .271 and stealing 228 bases.

Law was signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1975 as a free agent by a scout who saw him play in a Joe DiMaggio League game. He hit .386 in the California League in 1977. In 1978 he moved up to Triple A and led the Pacific Coast League with 79 stolen bases. He made his debut with the Dodgers at the age of 21 in 1978. He appeared in 11 games at the end of the season, but did not appear in the post-season.

Law faced tough competition to win a spot with the Dodgers. The 1978 Dodgers had an outfield of Dusty Baker, Reggie Smith, and Rick Monday, with Billy North and Lee Lacy as the #4 and #5 outfielders. Other young outfielders in the organization trying to make the team in 1979 included Pedro Guerrero and Mickey Hatcher. Law missed most of that season with injuries.

In spite of all the competition, Law became the regular center fielder for the Dodgers in 1980, on a team that won 92 games. Dusty Baker and Reggie Smith were the other two regular outfielders, while Rick Monday became a backup and pinch-hitter. Law stole 40 bases in 128 games.

Law slumped during the second half of the 1980 season, and ended up spending 1981 in the minors with the Albuquerque Dukes who won 94 games and were full of talent. Law hit .335 on a team that hit .325, and he stole 56 bases. His teammates including Mike Marshall (who batted .373), Jack Perconte (who hit .346), Candy Maldonado (who also hit .335), and Ted Power (who went 18-3).

Law was traded to the Chicago White Sox at the end of March 1982, and spent the bulk of his career (1982-1985) as a regular outfielder for the White Sox. He was a centerfielder from 1982 to 1984 and played mostly left field in 1985. His .318 batting average in 1982 was a high, and in 1983 he helped the White Sox win the division with a .283 batting average and 77 stolen bases. He stole 3 bases in one game on September 6th against the Oakland A's. Mike Heath was the catcher for all three stolen bases. Law had a very solid 1983 ALCS, hitting .389 and stealing 2 bases in 4 games. However, when his batting average and stolen base count slipped in 1984 and 1985, he became expendable and was released at the start of April 1986.

He played his last major league season with the Kansas City Royals in 1986, hitting .271 and playing primarily left field and right field, on a team that also featured Willie Wilson and Lonnie Smith in the outfield.

His career ended early at age 29 after being released by the Royals in spring training of 1987.

In 1990, Law played for the San Bernardino Pride of the Senior Professional Baseball Association. He batted .292 in 8 games before the league folded.

One source: 1981 Albuquerque Dukes.

Records Held

• Most plate appearances, extra inning game, 12, 5/8-5/9/84 (tied)