A Battle of Baseball Studs: Shawn Green vs. Tim Salmon

Published: July 31, 2024

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Last Updated: July 31st, 2024 by Jake Cain

Shawn Green and Tim Salmon are two players that don’t normally get mentioned when talking about the best players of the ’90s and early 2000s, but when we look at their numbers it’s clear to see that they both were among the league’s best. Green, known for his powerful bat and consistency, and Salmon, the steady leader and clutch performer, each carved out remarkable careers. Let’s dive into the stats, awards, and unforgettable moments that defined their time on the diamond.

Shawn Green vs Tim Salmon — via Stathead

Early Career and Major League Debut

Shawn Green:

Shawn Green’s journey in Major League Baseball began with the Toronto Blue Jays, who drafted him in the first round of the 1991 MLB Draft. After a couple of seasons working through the minors, Green debuted with the Blue Jays on September 28, 1993. By 1998, he had established himself as a key player, becoming the first Blue Jay to join the 30-30 club with 35 home runs and 35 stolen bases.

Tim Salmon:

Tim Salmon, drafted by the California Angels in the third round of the 1989 MLB Draft, made his MLB debut on August 21, 1992. Salmon quickly made a name for himself, winning the American League Rookie of the Year award unanimously in 1993, hitting 31 home runs and driving in 95 runs.

Key Statistics

Shawn Green’s Career Stats:

Batting Average: .283
Hits: 2,003
Home Runs: 328
RBIs: 1,070

Standard Batting
Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
1993	20	TOR	AL	3	6	6	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	1	.000	.000	.000	.000	-100	0	0	0	0	0	0	/9D
1994	21	TOR	AL	14	34	33	1	3	1	0	0	1	1	0	1	8	.091	.118	.121	.239	-38	4	1	0	0	0	0	7/9
1995	22	TOR	AL	121	405	379	52	109	31	4	15	54	1	2	20	68	.288	.326	.509	.835	115	193	4	3	0	3	3	*9H	RoY-5
1996	23	TOR	AL	132	465	422	52	118	32	3	11	45	5	1	33	75	.280	.342	.448	.790	99	189	9	8	0	2	3	*9H/8D
1997	24	TOR	AL	135	471	429	57	123	22	4	16	53	14	3	36	99	.287	.340	.469	.809	110	201	4	1	1	4	4	97DH
1998	25	TOR	AL	158	689	630	106	175	33	4	35	100	35	12	50	142	.278	.334	.510	.844	117	321	6	5	1	3	2	*98/H
1999	26	TOR	AL	153	696	614	134	190	45	0	42	123	20	7	66	117	.309	.384	.588	.972	144	361	13	11	0	5	4	*9/H	AS,MVP-9,GG,SS
2000	27	LAD	NL	*162*	714	610	98	164	44	4	24	99	24	5	90	121	.269	.367	.472	.839	116	288	18	8	0	6	9	*9/8H
2001	28	LAD	NL	161	701	619	121	184	31	4	49	125	20	4	72	107	.297	.372	.598	.970	154	370	10	5	0	5	10	*9/83H	MVP-6
2002	29	LAD	NL	158	685	582	110	166	31	1	42	114	8	5	93	112	.285	.385	.558	.944	154	325	26	5	0	5	22	*9/DH	AS,MVP-5
2003	30	LAD	NL	160	691	611	84	171	49	2	19	85	6	2	68	112	.280	.355	.460	.814	116	281	18	6	0	6	2	*9/DH
2004	31	LAD	NL	157	671	590	92	157	28	1	28	86	5	2	71	114	.266	.352	.459	.811	113	271	17	8	0	2	6	*39/DH
2005	32	ARI	NL	158	656	581	87	166	37	4	22	73	8	4	62	95	.286	.355	.477	.832	114	277	18	5	0	8	6	*98/H
2006	33	TOT	NL	149	588	530	73	147	31	3	15	66	4	4	45	82	.277	.344	.432	.776	95	229	17	10	0	3	5	*93/HD
2006	33	ARI	NL	115	462	417	59	118	22	3	11	51	4	4	37	64	.283	.348	.429	.778	95	179	9	6	0	2	4	93/HD
2006	33	NYM	NL	34	126	113	14	29	9	0	4	15	0	0	8	18	.257	.325	.442	.768	97	50	8	4	0	1	1	9/H3
2007	34	NYM	NL	130	491	446	62	130	30	1	10	46	11	1	37	62	.291	.352	.430	.782	103	192	14	5	1	1	4	*93H
15 Yrs				1951	7963	7082	1129	2003	445	35	328	1070	162	52	744	1315	.283	.355	.494	.850	120	3502	175	80	3	53	80
162 Game Avg.				162	661	588	94	166	37	3	27	89	13	4	62	109	.283	.355	.494	.850	120	291	15	7	0	4	7
				G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
TOR (7 yrs)				716	2766	2513	402	718	164	15	119	376	76	25	206	510	.286	.344	.505	.849	117	1269	37	28	2	17	16
LAD (5 yrs)				798	3462	3012	505	842	183	12	162	509	63	18	394	566	.280	.366	.510	.876	130	1535	89	32	0	24	49
ARI (2 yrs)				273	1118	998	146	284	59	7	33	124	12	8	99	159	.285	.352	.457	.809	106	456	27	11	0	10	10
NYM (2 yrs)				164	617	559	76	159	39	1	14	61	11	1	45	80	.284	.346	.433	.779	102	242	22	9	1	2	5

NL (8 yrs)				1235	5197	4569	727	1285	281	20	209	694	86	27	538	805	.281	.361	.489	.850	121	2233	138	52	1	36	64
AL (7 yrs)				716	2766	2513	402	718	164	15	119	376	76	25	206	510	.286	.344	.505	.849	117	1269	37	28	2	17	16

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/3/2024.

Tim Salmon’s Career Stats:

Batting Average: .282
Hits: 1,674
Home Runs: 299
RBIs: 1,016

Standard Batting
Year	Age	Tm	Lg	G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	OPS+	TB	GDP	HBP	SH	SF	IBB	Pos	Awards
1992	23	CAL	AL	23	92	79	8	14	1	0	2	6	1	1	11	23	.177	.283	.266	.548	55	21	1	1	0	1	1	9/H
1993	24	CAL	AL	142	610	515	93	146	35	1	31	95	5	6	82	135	.283	.382	.536	.918	143	276	6	5	0	8	5	*9/8D	RoY-1
1994	25	CAL	AL	100	435	373	67	107	18	2	23	70	1	3	54	102	.287	.382	.531	.912	133	198	3	5	0	3	2	*9/H
1995	26	CAL	AL	143	638	537	111	177	34	3	34	105	5	5	91	111	.330	.429	.594	1.024	165	319	9	6	0	4	2	*9/D	MVP-7,SS
1996	27	CAL	AL	156	681	581	90	166	27	4	30	98	4	2	93	125	.286	.386	.501	.887	125	291	8	4	0	3	7	*9/DH
1997	28	ANA	AL	157	695	582	95	172	28	1	33	129	9	12	95	142	.296	.394	.517	.911	134	301	7	7	0	11	5	*9/D	MVP-7
1998	29	ANA	AL	136	566	463	84	139	28	1	26	88	0	1	90	100	.300	.410	.533	.943	142	247	4	3	0	10	5	*D9/H	MVP-14
1999	30	ANA	AL	98	422	353	60	94	24	2	17	69	4	1	63	82	.266	.372	.490	.862	119	173	7	0	0	6	2	9/DH
2000	31	ANA	AL	158	680	568	108	165	36	2	34	97	0	2	104	139	.290	.404	.540	.945	135	307	14	6	0	2	5	*9D/H
2001	32	ANA	AL	137	581	475	63	108	21	1	17	49	9	3	96	121	.227	.365	.383	.748	98	182	11	8	0	2	4	*9D/H
2002	33	ANA	AL	138	568	483	84	138	37	1	22	88	6	3	71	102	.286	.380	.503	.883	133	243	6	7	0	7	3	*9D/H
2003	34	ANA	AL	148	621	528	78	145	35	4	19	72	3	1	77	93	.275	.374	.464	.838	122	245	12	10	0	6	3	9D/H
2004	35	ANA	AL	60	206	186	15	47	7	0	2	23	1	0	14	41	.253	.306	.323	.628	67	60	2	2	0	4	0	DH/97
2005			Did not play in major or minor leagues (Injured)
2006	37	LAA	AL	76	244	211	30	56	8	2	9	27	0	2	29	44	.265	.361	.450	.811	109	95	8	3	0	1	1	DH/97
14 Yrs				1672	7039	5934	986	1674	339	24	299	1016	48	42	970	1360	.282	.385	.498	.884	128	2958	98	67	0	68	45
162 Game Avg.				162	682	575	96	162	33	2	29	98	5	4	94	132	.282	.385	.498	.884	128	287	9	6	0	7	4

Provided by Baseball-Reference.com: View Original Table
Generated 6/3/2024.

At first glance, their career batting averages are remarkably similar. Green edges out in total hits and home runs, but Salmon’s numbers hold up impressively, especially considering he spent his entire career with one franchise, the Angels.

Awards and Accolades

Shawn Green:

2× All-Star (1999, 2002)
Gold Glove Award (1999)
Silver Slugger Award (1999)
Hit 4 home runs in one game on May 23, 2002

Tim Salmon:

World Series Champion (2002)
AL Rookie of the Year (1993)
Silver Slugger Award (1995)
Angels Hall of Fame

Both players have impressive accolades, but Salmon’s World Series ring in 2002 gives him a slight edge in terms of team success.

Impact on Their Teams

Shawn Green:

Shawn Green played an instrumental role for the teams he was part of, especially the Los Angeles Dodgers. In 2001, he set a Dodgers single-season record with 49 home runs. His memorable performance on May 23, 2002, where he hit four home runs in one game against the Milwaukee Brewers, forever etched his name in the history books.

Tim Salmon:

Salmon’s impact on the Angels is undeniable. Known as “King Fish,” he was a steady presence in their lineup for over a decade. His leadership and clutch performances were pivotal during the Angels’ 2002 World Series run, where his two-home-run game in the Series was crucial in securing the championship.

Memorable Moments

Shawn Green:

Four-Home Run Game (May 23, 2002): Green’s historic performance against the Brewers, where he set the MLB record with 19 total bases in a single game, is one of the standout moments of his career.
Joining the 30-30 Club (1998): Green’s combination of power and speed during the 1998 season made him the first Blue Jay to achieve this milestone.

Tim Salmon:

2002 World Series Game 2: Salmon’s two home runs in Game 2 against the San Francisco Giants helped the Angels secure a crucial victory, setting the tone for their eventual World Series win.
Unanimous Rookie of the Year (1993): Salmon’s breakout rookie season, where he hit 31 home runs, remains one of the best rookie campaigns in MLB history.

Personal Stories and Character

Shawn Green:

Known for his dedication to his heritage, Green famously sat out a game in 2001 to observe Yom Kippur, even though his team was in the middle of a playoff race. This decision resonated deeply within the Jewish community and showcased Green’s integrity and commitment to his beliefs.

Tim Salmon:

Salmon’s nickname, “King Fish,” reflects his strong connection with the Angels community. His leadership on and off the field made him a beloved figure in Anaheim. Despite injuries, Salmon’s resilience and clutch performances, especially in the postseason, highlighted his character and dedication to his team.

Awards and Accolades

Shawn Green:

2× All-Star (1999, 2002)
Gold Glove Award (1999)
Silver Slugger Award (1999)
Holds record for most total bases in a game (19)
Hit four home runs in one game (May 23, 2002)
30-Home Run Seasons: Four (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002)
100-RBI Seasons: Four (1998, 1999, 2001, 2002)

Tim Salmon:

World Series Champion (2002)
AL Rookie of the Year (1993)
Silver Slugger Award (1995)
Angels Hall of Fame Inductee
Holds Angels’ record for most walks (965)
Second in franchise history for home runs (299) and RBIs (1,016)

Legacy and Influence

Shawn Green:

Green’s legacy extends beyond his impressive stats. His consistent performance and memorable moments on the field made him a fan favorite. Additionally, his off-field contributions, like his philanthropic efforts and commitment to his faith, further solidify his legacy as a player who made a significant impact both on and off the field.

Tim Salmon:

Salmon’s legacy with the Angels is cemented with his induction into the Angels Hall of Fame. His role in the 2002 World Series championship and his continued involvement with the team as a broadcaster and mentor highlight his lasting influence on the organization and its fans.

Conclusion

Shawn Green and Tim Salmon are two players who, while different in many ways, both left their marks on baseball. Both players are remembered not just for their numbers, but for their character, integrity, and the joy they brought to fans. Whether you recall Green’s historic four-homer game or Salmon’s pivotal role in the Angels’ World Series win, there’s no denying the significant legacies both players have left on the game of baseball.