Bip Roberts

Leon Joseph "Bip" Roberts (born October 27, 1963) is an American former Major League Baseball second baseman and outfielder who played from 1986 to 1998 for the San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Kansas City Royals, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and Oakland Athletics.

Career He was a speedy second baseman, largely associated with the San Diego Padres. Originally drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round of the Draft as a supplemental pick in 1982, after stealing a combined 90 bases in his two previous minor league seasons, Roberts was taken by the San Diego Padres in the Rule 5 draft in December 1985, thus being required to stay on Padres' major league roster for the entirety of the 1986 season.

As a rookie, Roberts was successful in 14 out of 26 steal attempts, and served as a pinch hitter. He spent the next two seasons in Triple-A, where he would hit .306 in 1987 and .353 in 1988 with 10 triples in 98 games in 1987. His stolen base totals were also once again stellar, being 39 and 45 respectively, which caused San Diego to call him up at the end of 1988, where he played in 5 games, seeing time at third and second base, as well as pinch hitting.

Roberts hit .301 in 1989 with 21 steals and 81 runs in 329 at bats. He played all outfield positions, shortstop, second, and third. In 1990, Roberts ranked in the top 10 in the National League in Doubles (36), Steals (46), and Runs (104).

In 1991, Roberts again was injured limited to 117 games, but still managed to hit .281 with 26 stolen bases. In December 1991, the Cincinnati Reds sent pitcher Randy Myers in exchange for Roberts.

In 1992, Roberts was selected as a National League All-Star, going 2-for-2 with two RBI. Roberts was also named the Cincinnati Reds team MVP, and was 8th in voting for the NL MVP, stealing 44 bases, and hitting .323. He also tied an NL record in 1992 with ten consecutive base hits.

Roberts faced several injuries and was limited to only 83 games. The Reds also suffered injuries to Kevin Mitchell, Roberto Kelly, Barry Larkin, and Hal Morris. Their season suffered as a result, but Roberts managed 26 stolen bases in the shortened stint.

After the 1993 season, he re-signed with the Padres. In 1994, Roberts recorded an MLB best 24-game hitting streak for the Padres. The strike-shortened season compromised his season as he was hitting .320 with over 20 steals yet again. He was also second in the NL in singles, and broke up Pedro Martínez's extra inning perfect game in the 10th inning with a double.

While Roberts played half of the 1995 season, he stole 20 bases, only being caught twice, while batting .304. In December, Roberts was dealt to the Kansas City Royals in exchange for first baseman Wally Joyner.

Personal life Roberts is the nephew of former NFL player Roy Shivers.