Chris Codiroli – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Chris Codiroli made his mark in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher during the 1980s. He played professionally for eight seasons, from 1982 to 1990, spending most of that time with the Oakland Athletics. Born on March 26, 1958, in Oxnard, California, Codiroli wrapped up his MLB career with stints for the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals, and New York Yankees before retiring in 1990.

At 6’1″ and just 160 pounds, Codiroli didn’t exactly tower over hitters, but he found a way to stick in the majors. He broke in with the Athletics and became part of their rotation during a time when the team was trying to rebuild. Codiroli’s career lined up with Oakland’s rebuilding phase, right before their big surge in the late ’80s and early ’90s.

If you collected baseball cards in the 1980s, you probably ran across Codiroli in Topps or Fleer packs. He didn’t become a household name like some of his peers, but his eight-year MLB career says plenty about his grit and the skill it took to survive in such a competitive era.

Overview of Chris Codiroli’s Baseball Career

Chris Codiroli pitched right-handed for eight years in Major League Baseball, mostly with the Oakland Athletics. From 1982 to 1990, he put up 38 wins, 47 losses, and 312 strikeouts with a 4.87 ERA.

Early Life and Entry into Professional Baseball

Christopher Allen Codiroli grew up in Oxnard, California, and sharpened his baseball skills at San Jose State University. Scouts noticed him early on.

The Detroit Tigers picked Codiroli in the first round of the 1978 MLB draft, 11th overall. That high pick showed how much potential people saw in him.

He spent a few years working through the minor leagues. Even though the Tigers drafted him, he never made a big league appearance for Detroit. Instead, they traded his rights to the Oakland Athletics, where he would eventually make his major league debut.

He showed enough promise in the minors to get a shot at the majors.

Major League Baseball Debut

Codiroli debuted in MLB on September 11, 1982, with the Oakland Athletics. At 24, after four years in the minors, he finally got the call to the big leagues.

He showed real promise early on and became a regular starter for the A’s during the mid-1980s. Codiroli’s best season came when he won 14 games in a year.

During his peak, Codiroli managed to pitch over 200 innings twice, which is no small feat. He made a name for himself as a reliable starter who could take the ball every fifth day and chew up innings for Oakland.

Final MLB Season and Retirement

In the late 1980s, Codiroli lost some of his effectiveness. His fastball slowed, and injuries started to pile up, so he saw less time with the Athletics.

He bounced around a bit after Oakland, spending short stretches with the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals.

Codiroli made his final MLB appearance in 1990, closing out his major league run after 144 games, mostly as a starter.

After hanging up his spikes, Codiroli kept a low profile. He didn’t move into coaching or TV work like some former players. His career might not have landed him in Cooperstown, but he was the kind of mid-rotation starter teams relied on during the 1980s.

Career Highlights and Achievements

Chris Codiroli put together a solid career in the majors, mainly with the Oakland Athletics. He had some standout moments and consistently contributed as a starting pitcher through the 1980s.

Notable Performances

Codiroli’s best run came between 1983 and 1985 with the A’s. In 1983, he stepped up as a reliable starter, finishing with a 12-12 record and showing he belonged.

He really broke out in 1984, pitching over 200 innings and cementing his place as a workhorse. Durability became his thing.

He topped 200 innings again in 1985, proving he could be counted on every fifth day. That kind of consistency won him the trust of his managers and teammates.

Codiroli never made an All-Star team, but his willingness to take the ball and give his team a chance made him valuable.

Pitching Records and Stats

Over his career, Codiroli posted a 38-47 record with a 4.87 ERA in 144 games. He pitched in the majors from 1981 to 1990, with most of his success coming in Oakland.

He struck out 312 hitters. Codiroli didn’t blow batters away, but he relied on control and mixing his pitches to get outs.

The Tigers drafted him 11th overall in 1978 out of San Jose State, which shows just how much promise he had coming out of college.

Here are his career stats:

• 144 games
• 38-47 win-loss mark
• 4.87 ERA
• 312 strikeouts
• Over 200 innings pitched in both 1984 and 1985

Teams Chris Codiroli Played For

Codiroli’s baseball journey took him through several teams, both in the majors and minors, from the late ’70s up to 1990. He wore a few different uniforms and got to experience baseball from a bunch of different angles.

Major League Teams

Most folks remember Codiroli for his time with the Oakland Athletics, where he pitched from 1982 to 1987. That was his main stop, and he became a key part of their rotation, especially when he was logging 200+ innings as a workhorse.

He finished up in the big leagues with the Kansas City Royals in 1990, calling it a career at 32. Even though the Detroit Tigers drafted him in the first round, he never pitched for them in the majors.

Minor League Affiliations

Codiroli kicked off his minor league career in 1978 after being drafted out of San Jose State. He worked his way through the Tigers’ system but got traded to Oakland before reaching the majors.

In the A’s system, he pitched for their Pacific Coast League affiliate and showed enough to get promoted in 1982.

After his main run in Oakland, Codiroli kept at it in the minors, spending time with the Royals’ farm teams before getting his last MLB shot with Kansas City in 1990. His pro career lasted from 1977 to 1991, including his time in both the majors and minors.

Impact on the Game and Legacy

Chris Codiroli pitched in the big leagues for eight seasons, mostly with the Oakland Athletics, and built a reputation as a dependable starter during the franchise’s rebuilding years. His impact on the game went beyond just his stats.

Role as a Pitcher in the 1980s

Codiroli became a workhorse pitcher for the A’s in the early to mid-1980s. He twice threw over 200 innings, which was a real mark of durability when teams still expected starters to finish what they started. Between 1983 and 1985, he was a mainstay in Oakland’s rotation.

His career numbers—38 wins, 47 losses, and 312 strikeouts with a 4.87 ERA in 144 games—might not jump off the page, but they reflect the kind of steady presence you need in the middle of a rotation, especially in a high-scoring era.

Born in 1958 in Oxnard, California, Codiroli got picked 11th overall by Detroit in 1978, which says a lot about his status as a prospect.

Influence on Future Players

Codiroli never made it to the Hall of Fame, but his approach and professionalism rubbed off on teammates, especially during Oakland’s developmental phase in the 1980s. He helped bridge the gap between the A’s championship teams of the ’70s and their powerhouse squads in the late ’80s.

After leaving Oakland, Codiroli had a short stint with the Cleveland Indians, then made a comeback with the Kansas City Royals in 1990. His determination to return to the majors after setbacks showed the mental toughness it takes for professional longevity.

Young pitchers coming up in the Oakland system often pointed to veterans like Codiroli as examples of how to prepare and stay consistent at the top level.

Connections with Other Notable Players

During his career, Chris Codiroli crossed paths with several influential baseball figures from the 1980s and early ’90s. Some of these relationships grew out of shared teams or just the grind of making it in pro baseball.

David Adams

Codiroli and David Adams spent a bit of time together in the minors before heading down different roads. Their connection didn’t get much attention in the big leagues, but people in the game noticed their similar pitching styles.

Adams, like Codiroli, had his ups and downs trying to stick in the majors. Both guys built reputations as hard workers who got the most out of their abilities.

While Adams didn’t have the same major league staying power as Codiroli, they developed a mutual respect while coming up through the farm system. Teammates remembered the friendly competition between the two during spring training.

Rick Aguilera

Codiroli went up against Rick Aguilera a bunch of times during their overlapping years in the American League. Aguilera started out as a starter but then turned into an elite closer—honestly, the kind of long career Codiroli probably wished he could’ve had.

One game really stands out: in 1987, Codiroli pitched against Aguilera’s Mets. Their styles couldn’t have been more different. Codiroli just got to work, steady and reliable, while Aguilera came in throwing heat and overpowering hitters.

Both of them dealt with the challenge of switching teams in the middle of their careers. Aguilera seemed to thrive after his moves, but for Codiroli, that short Kansas City Royals stint in 1990 ended up being his last shot in the majors.

Bert Blyleven

Bert Blyleven—a Hall of Famer, no less—ended up inspiring Codiroli and even gave him a bit of guidance when Codiroli was still getting his bearings in the big leagues. Blyleven’s curveball was the stuff of legend, and his ability to stay healthy and effective for so long set the bar for everyone else.

They never wore the same uniform, but they did face off as opponents now and then. Some baseball writers pointed out that Codiroli made a habit of watching how Blyleven handled tough spots and picked his pitches.

“I watched how Bert handled himself on the mound,” Codiroli once told his teammates. “His focus and preparation were unmatched.”

Their careers overlapped during Codiroli’s workhorse years, when he pushed past 200 innings in his best seasons—kind of echoing Blyleven’s own reputation for being durable and just always available when his team needed him.

Life After Baseball

After he hung up his cleats in 1990, Chris Codiroli found his way into business and kept up ties with the game that shaped his life.

Post-Retirement Activities

After wrapping up his final MLB season in 1990, Chris Codiroli decided to step away from pro baseball and try something new. Instead of sticking around the sport as a coach or broadcaster—like so many others do—he went in a totally different direction.

He jumped into the business world, putting his University of San Francisco degree to work. He actually finished that degree while he was still playing, which is pretty impressive if you ask me.