Paul Householder – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Paul Wesley Householder played eight seasons in Major League Baseball from 1980 to 1987. He suited up for four different teams: the Cincinnati Reds, St. Louis Cardinals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Houston Astros.

Born on September 4, 1958, in Columbus, Ohio, Householder built a respectable career as a right fielder during the competitive 1980s. He put together a .236 career batting average with 29 home runs and 144 RBIs over 466 games. People remember him as a versatile outfielder who could handle multiple positions.

His professional journey kicked off when the Cincinnati Reds picked him in the second round of the 1976 amateur draft. Householder worked his way through the minors and made his MLB debut with Cincinnati in 1980 at just 21.

As a switch-hitting outfielder, he experienced the full rollercoaster of pro baseball—from promising seasons to tough transitions between teams. From his early days with the Reds to his last season with the Houston Astros in 1987, Householder’s career really shows what life was like for a journeyman player during a changing time in baseball.

His story brings up statistical achievements, memorable moments, and the kind of analytical perspective that modern baseball fans love when looking back at players from that era.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Paul Wesley Householder was born on September 4, 1958, in Columbus, Ohio. He showed early promise as a baseball player.

His high school career in Connecticut got the attention of major league scouts. That led to his selection by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1976 amateur draft.

Birth and Family Background

Paul Householder came into the world on September 4, 1958, in Columbus, Ohio. His family eventually moved to Connecticut, where he grew up.

The Householder name became somewhat notable in baseball circles. Paul was actually one of just four major league players to ever carry that last name.

Growing up in the late 1960s and early 1970s, he fell in love with baseball during a golden era for the sport. His family cheered him on as he started showing real talent on the diamond.

High School Achievements

Paul attended North Haven High School in Connecticut. He quickly established himself as a standout player.

His performance at the high school level showed off the skills that would catch the eyes of pro scouts. During those years, Householder developed into a switch-hitter with some real pop.

Scouts liked that he had, as they said, “all the tools” for pro baseball. His hitting, fielding, and athleticism made him a top prospect.

These qualities really helped him grab the attention of major league organizations during his senior year.

Draft and Amateur Status

The Cincinnati Reds picked Paul Householder in the second round of the 1976 June Amateur Draft. That selection showed they believed in his talent and potential.

Getting chosen that early meant multiple teams saw him as a legit prospect. The Reds’ scouting department felt confident enough to use a high pick on him.

He gave up his amateur status when he signed with Cincinnati after the draft. That move started a journey that would last over a decade in pro baseball.

Major League Baseball Career Overview

Paul Householder played eight seasons in the major leagues from 1980 to 1987. He mostly played outfield for four teams.

He finished with a career batting average of .236, 29 home runs, and 144 RBIs in 466 games. His most productive years came with the Cincinnati Reds.

Cincinnati Reds Years

Householder started his MLB career with the Cincinnati Reds on August 26, 1980, at age 21. The Reds had drafted him in the second round of the 1976 amateur draft, 47th overall.

His debut season showed some promise, even though he didn’t get much playing time. In 20 games, he hit .244 with 11 hits in 45 at-bats.

The 1981 season really marked his breakout. Householder posted a .275 average with a .367 on-base percentage in 23 games. He also stole three bases and drove in nine runs.

1982 was his first full season as a regular. He played 138 games, got 88 hits, and hit nine home runs. His batting average dropped to .211, but he did steal 17 bases.

He bounced back in 1983 with his best statistical season. Householder hit .255 with 97 hits, 24 doubles, and six home runs in 123 games. He drove in a career-high 43 runs that year.

St. Louis Cardinals and Milwaukee Brewers Tenure

After splitting limited time between Cincinnati and St. Louis in 1984, Householder got a new shot with the Milwaukee Brewers. He only played 13 games with the Cardinals, batting .143.

The 1985 season with Milwaukee turned out to be his most productive. Householder played 95 games and posted a .258 average with 11 home runs and 34 RBIs. His .418 slugging percentage was a career best.

This bounce-back showed he could adapt to the American League. He played multiple outfield spots and sometimes filled in as a designated hitter.

His 1986 season with Milwaukee was shorter, partly due to less playing time. In 26 games, he batted .218 with one home run and 16 RBIs before the team moved on.

Final Season and Retirement in 1987

Householder signed with the Houston Astros for what turned out to be his last MLB season. He appeared in just 14 games in 1987.

His final game came on June 3, 1987, against the Chicago Cubs. He went 0-for-1 in that last appearance, ending his big league run at age 28.

The Astros mostly used him as a pinch hitter and occasional outfielder. He managed only one hit in 12 at-bats with Houston.

Career totals: 313 hits, 60 doubles, 11 triples, and 36 stolen bases over eight seasons. His .304 career on-base percentage showed he could draw walks when needed.

When he retired, Householder wrapped up an eight-year journey through four different organizations in both the National and American Leagues.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Paul Householder finished with a .236 batting average and 313 hits in 466 games over his eight-year MLB career. He tallied 29 home runs and 144 RBIs, scored 146 runs, and stole 36 bases for four teams.

Batting Average and Hits

Householder’s career batting average of .236 shows the challenges he faced at the plate. His best year was 1981, when he hit .275 in 23 games for the Reds.

That year, he also posted his highest on-base percentage at .367. In 1983, he had his best season for hits, collecting 97 in 123 games.

That was the only time he topped 90 hits in a season. In 1982, he played a career-high 138 games, picking up 88 hits even though his average dipped to .211.

He totaled 313 hits across eight years. After 1983, his hit production dropped a lot. He never reached double digits in games played during his last four seasons.

His batting struggles became more obvious in those later years, especially with St. Louis and Houston.

Home Runs and RBIs

Householder hit 29 home runs in his MLB career and drove in 144 runs. His power peaked in 1985 with Milwaukee, when he hit 11 homers in 95 games.

That was his only double-digit home run season. His best RBI year came in 1983, when he drove in 43 runs for Cincinnati.

That season, he also hit a career-high 24 doubles. His RBI numbers stayed steady during his best stretch from 1982 to 1985.

Career Power Numbers:

• Total Home Runs: 29
• Total RBIs: 144
• Best HR Season: 11 (1985)
• Best RBI Season: 43 (1983)

His power was modest for an outfielder in the 1980s. He never topped 11 home runs in a season, and most of his offensive value came from getting on base and driving in runs when it mattered.

Stolen Bases and Runs

Householder swiped 36 bases in his career but got caught 29 times. His best base-stealing season was 1982, when he stole 17 for the Reds.

He also stole 12 in 1983, showing decent speed in his prime. He scored 146 runs in eight seasons.

His best run-scoring year came in 1985, when he crossed the plate 41 times for Milwaukee. He also scored 40 runs in both 1982 and 1983 with Cincinnati.

His stolen base success rate was 55.4%, which was below average for that time. After 1983, his base-stealing nearly disappeared—just three steals in his last four seasons.

His speed helped early, but it faded as he got older.

Doubles and Triples

Householder hit 60 doubles and 11 triples in his MLB career. His standout 1983 season included a career-high 24 doubles, which was about 40% of his career total.

He also hit four triples that year, tying his personal best. In 1982, he picked up 11 doubles and five triples over 138 games.

After 1985, his extra-base hit numbers fell off a cliff, with just five doubles and one triple in his last three seasons.

Extra-Base Hit Breakdown:

• 1983: 24 doubles, 4 triples
• 1982: 11 doubles, 5 triples
• 1985: 15 doubles, 0 triples

His best years for doubles came with Cincinnati in 1982 and 1983. Householder’s gap power was a big part of his offensive game, as he could stretch singles into doubles with his speed and line-drive approach.

Key Playing Metrics and Analytical Highlights

Paul Householder’s stats paint a picture of a player who struggled with consistency at the plate. He ended up with a .236 batting average over eight seasons.

His limited power and modest on-base skills really shaped his offensive profile in the majors.

Plate Appearances and On-Base Skills

Householder didn’t rack up a ton of plate appearances, which shows he mostly played as a bench guy or part-time starter. His .236 average makes it clear he struggled to make consistent contact with big-league pitching.

His on-base percentage stayed below league average for most of his career. While his switch-hitting gave him some flexibility, it didn’t really boost his numbers against either lefties or righties.

He didn’t show great plate discipline, often struggling to work deep counts or draw enough walks to balance out his low average. That mix limited his overall value to the teams he played for.

Isolated Power and Slugging

Householder’s power numbers stayed pretty modest his whole career. He hit 29 home runs in eight seasons, averaging fewer than four per year.

His isolated power was well below what you’d expect from an outfielder. His slugging percentage showed these limits too.

At 6’0″ and 180 pounds, he just didn’t have the physical tools for consistent extra-base hits. Most of his 313 career hits were singles, which made it tough for him to drive in runs.

His power peaked with Cincinnati and Milwaukee, but even in his best years, he only managed single-digit home runs. He was more of a contact hitter, but didn’t have the consistency to really thrive in that role.

Notable Career Milestones

Householder’s career stretched from 1980 to 1987. He played for four teams, including the Reds and Brewers.

He picked up 313 hits and drove in 144 runs while scoring 146 runs in eight seasons. His versatility in the outfield let him play right, center, and left field.

That defensive flexibility definitely helped him stick around, even when his bat cooled off. He also filled in as a designated hitter and pinch runner sometimes.

He wrapped up his career in 1987, appearing in just 14 games that year. Householder finished with a .236 batting average, which kind of sums up the tough road a lot of fringe MLB players face when trying to hang on in the big leagues.

Notable Games and Career Highlights

Paul Householder spent eight seasons in MLB, and his time with the Cincinnati Reds stands out the most. He put together his best season in 1983, batting .255 with 24 doubles and 43 RBIs. In 1985, he flashed some real power with Milwaukee, hitting 11 home runs.

Memorable Performances

Householder really broke through in 1983 with the Reds. He played in 123 games that year and knocked out 97 hits, including 24 doubles and 6 home runs.

That season turned out to be his most complete offensively. He finished with a .255 average and 43 RBIs.

Jump ahead to 1985, and you’ll see him showing off his power with the Brewers. He played 95 games, hit 11 home runs, and drove in 34 runs while batting .258.

That was the most home runs he’d ever hit in a single season.

Back in 1981, Householder gave fans a glimpse of his potential. In just 23 games for Cincinnati, he hit .275 with a .367 on-base percentage.

He managed 2 home runs and 9 RBIs in those limited chances.

Significant Team Contributions

Householder played his most productive baseball with the Cincinnati Reds from 1980 to 1984. Over those five years, he appeared in 318 games and collected 216 hits.

He moved around the outfield, which made him a useful bench piece and sometimes a starter.

In 1982, he got the most playing time he’d ever see in a season with Cincinnati. He played in 138 games and picked up 88 hits, including 11 doubles and 5 triples.

Even though he hit just .211, he brought speed and defense, swiping 17 bases.

When he joined the Milwaukee Brewers in 1985, Householder seemed to find his groove again. He batted .258, hit 11 home runs, and helped the lineup with 27 walks in 95 games.

Managers trusted him all over the outfield, and his flexibility gave them more options during games.

Legacy and Post-Retirement Recognition

People still find Householder’s name in baseball reference books and online stats databases. You can see his contributions pop up in plenty of baseball archives.

Baseball Almanac and Statistical References

Baseball Almanac lists Householder among National League players who retired in 1987. They keep his career stats right alongside other players from that season.

You can still look up his numbers on several baseball reference sites. These places track his eight-year journey with the Reds, Cardinals, Brewers, and Astros.

Householder wrapped up his career with a .236 batting average, 29 home runs, and 144 RBIs in 466 games. If you’re digging for stats, that’s the story.

He also led all National League outfielders in fielding percentage during 1983, finishing at .991. That’s a pretty impressive mark to leave behind.

Influence on Baseball Community

Householder’s story really captures what a lot of pro ballplayers go through. He showed plenty of promise but just couldn’t quite break through at the major league level.

Scouts liked his switch-hitting and the power he brought in the minors. Those skills grabbed their attention right away.

When Milwaukee finally gave him regular playing time in September 1985, he hit eight home runs. That run showed what he could do if someone just let him play every day.

That late surge became a big piece of his baseball story. Some folks still talk about it.

Scouting reports always said he had “all the tools,” which, honestly, highlights how tough it is for teams to judge and develop talent. It’s something teams still wrestle with, as you can see here.