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

Paul Runge wrapped up his baseball career in 1988, finishing eight seasons with the Atlanta Braves. He carved out a steady path as a utility infielder in Major League Baseball.

Born on May 21, 1958, in Kingston, New York, Runge grew into that reliable role player teams lean on during a long season. From 1981 to 1988, he filled in at multiple infield spots, always ready when called upon.

Runge posted a .232 batting average with 4 home runs and 26 RBIs in 183 games, mostly as a utility guy who bounced between second base, shortstop, and third. Sure, his numbers at the plate weren’t flashy, but his ability to play wherever needed made him valuable for the Braves in the ’80s.

He never played more than 52 games in a season, so he stayed a dependable backup rather than a regular starter.

After his playing days, Runge jumped right into coaching and managing in pro baseball. He just couldn’t step away from the sport that shaped his life.

His story really shines a light on those players who might not grab headlines but still make a difference for their teams in baseball’s modern era.

Early Life and Background

Paul William Runge came into the world on May 21, 1958, in Kingston, New York. He found his love for baseball early on.

His journey toward pro baseball kicked off in high school and kept rolling through his college years at Jacksonville University.

Family and Childhood

Paul William Runge was born in Kingston, New York, right along the Hudson River in Ulster County. That small city gave him the backdrop for his early years.

Kingston’s local leagues and parks gave young Paul plenty of chances to play ball. He started sharpening his athletic skills there.

His family encouraged his growing interest in baseball from the start. Those early days in upstate New York built the base for what he’d do later.

Education and High School Baseball

Runge went to Kingston High School, juggling schoolwork with his love for baseball. He graduated in 1976, already making a name for himself on the diamond.

His high school career showed off the versatility that would stick with him in the pros. He played all over the infield for the Kingston team.

After high school, Runge headed south to Jacksonville University in Florida, chasing both an education and tougher competition. That move turned out to be huge for his growth as a player.

At Jacksonville, he faced higher-level opponents and got stronger coaching. This experience set him up for the leap to pro ball when the Atlanta Braves picked him in the 1979 Major League Baseball Draft.

Professional Baseball Career Overview

Paul Runge spent his entire MLB career—eight seasons—with the Atlanta Braves, from 1981 to 1988. Drafted by Atlanta in 1979, he grew into a utility infielder who could slot in all over the infield.

Draft and Signing with the Atlanta Braves

The Atlanta Braves grabbed Paul Runge in the ninth round of the 1979 MLB June Amateur Draft. He was the 212th pick, coming off his college years at Jacksonville.

Runge was 21 when the Braves called his name, just three years out of Kingston High School. His college performance caught Atlanta’s eye.

After the draft, Runge started his climb through the Braves’ minor league system. He worked his way up over two seasons, getting ready for his MLB debut in September 1981.

MLB Debut and Early Seasons

Runge debuted in the majors on September 25, 1981, at age 23. He played 10 games that rookie year, mostly at shortstop, and hit .259 with 7 hits in 27 at-bats.

He didn’t see much action in 1982 and 1983, appearing in just 4 games one year and 5 the next. The Braves kept evaluating him during those short stints.

In 1984, Runge finally got a longer look, playing 28 games and getting 103 plate appearances. That season let him show off his flexibility across the infield.

His busiest year came in 1985, with 50 games and 110 plate appearances. He contributed as both a bench guy and a spot starter.

Position Versatility and Playing Style

Runge’s real value came from his ability to handle multiple infield spots. He played shortstop, second base, and third base throughout his career. That flexibility made him a go-to utility player for manager Bobby Cox.

His defensive numbers show he split time between all three positions. In 1984, he played 22 games at second, 7 at short, and 3 at third. He kept bouncing around the infield every year.

At the plate, Runge focused on making contact and didn’t strike out much. He finished with a .232 batting average, a .334 on-base percentage, and a .310 slugging percentage. He hit 4 homers and drove in 26 runs in 183 games.

He held down the utility infielder role through 1988, appearing in 52 games that last year. The Braves kept relying on his defensive versatility and experience.

Atlanta Braves Tenure (1981–1988)

Paul Runge spent all eight years of his big league career with the Atlanta Braves, playing 183 games as a utility infielder. He kept providing defensive flexibility and steady help during the team’s competitive run in the 1980s.

Notable Seasons and Statistics

Runge peaked in 1985, playing 50 games for Atlanta. That year, he collected 19 hits in 87 at-bats for a .218 average and drew 18 walks. His .349 on-base percentage showed he could work the count.

In 1984, he had his best year at the plate, batting .267 with 24 hits, three doubles, and a triple in 28 games. He also swiped five bases, flashing some speed.

Across his career, Runge hit .232 with 80 hits in 345 at-bats. He launched four homers and drove in 26 RBIs over eight seasons. His three home runs in 1987 marked his best power year.

Runge showed patience, drawing 54 walks and striking out 75 times. His .334 career OBP was more than 100 points above his batting average.

Role as a Utility Infielder

Runge’s main contribution came from his ability to play all over the infield. He spent time at shortstop, second base, and third base, filling in wherever the Braves needed him.

He played third base the most, with 57 games there over several seasons. He also logged plenty of innings at short and second. That versatility kept him on the bench for managers Chuck Tanner and Bobby Cox.

Drafted in the ninth round in 1979, Runge moved quickly through the minor leagues, reaching Double-A Savannah in 1980 and Triple-A Richmond in 1981.

Defensively, he posted a fielding percentage above .950 at most spots, though he had some rough patches his rookie year.

Memorable Games and Highlights

Runge jumped into the majors in 1981, playing 10 games and picking up seven hits in 27 at-bats. He drove in two runs right away, showing he could help out at the top level.

September 29, 1981, was a tough night—Runge made two costly errors in a loss to the Dodgers. Still, he kept getting chances with Atlanta.

From 1984 to 1988, he played at least 27 games each season. His steady presence off the bench helped the Braves keep their infield covered.

When the 1981 strike hit, WTBS started airing Richmond Braves games, so Runge got some extra TV time alongside Brett Butler, Terry Harper, Gerald Perry, and Rafael Ramirez.

Final MLB Season and Retirement

In his final season in 1988, Runge played 52 games, his second-highest total. He hit .211 with 16 hits and seven RBIs, mostly at third and second base.

He got hit by a pitch four times that year, a personal high, and drew 14 walks, sticking with his patient approach at the plate.

The 1988 season closed the book on his playing career at age 30. After eight years in the majors, he shifted to coaching and player development.

Runge moved into minor league instruction after retiring, later serving as minor league field coordinator for the Houston Astros. His experience as a flexible infielder helped him teach young players the fundamentals.

Career Statistics and Analysis

Paul Runge’s eight years with the Atlanta Braves from 1981 to 1988 gave the team modest offense—a .232 batting average—but solid defense across three infield spots. He played his best ball in the mid-1980s, getting the most consistent time as a utility infielder.

MLB Batting and Fielding Stats

Runge appeared in 183 games over eight seasons, picking up 411 plate appearances and 345 at-bats. His .232/.334/.310 line pretty much summed up his role as a glove-first utility man.

His best offensive year came in 1984, when he hit .267 with a .662 OPS in 28 games. That season, he notched 24 hits and put up 0.6 WAR. In 1985, he played the most, with 50 games and 110 plate appearances.

Runge didn’t bring much power—just four home runs in his career, three of them in 1987. He collected 26 RBIs and scored 43 runs overall.

On defense, Runge’s main strength was his versatility. He played second, short, and third, sometimes with mixed results. His fielding percentage ranged from a rough .500 at third in 1984 to a spotless 1.000 in other seasons with fewer chances.

Career Milestones

Runge made his MLB debut on September 25, 1981, at 23, after Atlanta picked him in the ninth round of the 1979 draft. He played his last game on September 12, 1988, against the Dodgers.

His biggest milestone came in 1985 with a career-high 50 games played. That was his peak as a bench regular and spot starter.

In 1984, he put up his best offensive numbers, hitting .267—35 points better than his career average.

Defensively, his milestone was being able to play all over the infield. He started games at second, short, and third, making himself a key utility option for Atlanta.

Comparative Performance with Peers

Among 1980s utility infielders, Runge’s .232 average wasn’t great for a starter but was acceptable for a bench player. His 78 OPS+ showed he was below league average offensively.

He finished with 0.3 career WAR over eight seasons, which put him in the “reliable depth” category rather than as a difference-maker.

Runge’s ability to cover three infield spots gave him an edge over guys who played just one position. That flexibility made him more valuable than some specialists with similar bats.

Compared to other Braves utility men of the time, Runge stood out for his staying power. Eight years with the same team says a lot about how much Atlanta valued a steady, versatile bench player in the ’80s.

Transition to Post-Playing Career

After his eight years in the big leagues ended in 1988, Paul Runge stayed in the game by working in player development. He spent nearly two decades managing minor league teams in the Atlanta Braves system, helping young players from rookie ball up through AA.

Coaching and Managerial Roles

Runge kicked off his player development career in 1993, taking charge of the Braves’ Pioneer League team at Idaho Falls. That job marked his first step into managing after he spent two seasons at AAA with the Padres and Blue Jays to finish out his playing days.

For Runge, moving from player to manager just made sense. He’d already battled through the same system, so he really understood what young players were up against.

He tried to help players focus on improving specific parts of their game. “Some of these guys needed to improve in some areas of their game,” Runge told The Danville Register & Bee in 2009. “They came back to Orlando, they went through extended spring training and hopefully they’re all better players.”

Runge didn’t just care about winning games, though. He put more energy into patience and player development, especially for guys who needed a bit more time before moving up to full-season leagues.

Teams Managed in Minor Leagues

Runge managed teams at several levels in the Braves system. After his first year at Idaho Falls in 1993, he headed to Danville for the 1994 season. Then he took over short-season Eugene.

His biggest assignment started in 1999 when he managed AA Greenville through 2001. That was the highest level he managed, working with prospects who were getting close to the majors.

Runge’s Managerial Timeline:

• 1993: Idaho Falls (Pioneer League)
• 1994: Danville (Appalachian League)
• 1995: Eugene (Short-season)
• 1999-2001: Greenville (AA)
• 2002-2010: Danville (Appalachian League)

He went back to Danville in 2002 and stayed there at least until 2010. By then, he’d managed eight seasons with the Danville team, and people in the community really started to see him as a fixture.

Legacy in the Braves Organization

Runge spent over 30 years with the Atlanta Braves organization, and that kind of commitment definitely left a mark on player development. He started with the Braves when they drafted him in 1979 and stuck with the franchise through his managing career.

Danville showed their appreciation in 2008 with a bobblehead giveaway in his honor. “It’s quite an honor,” Runge told GoDanRiver.com. “I never really ever thought about anything like that.”

His wife and two daughters came to the ceremony, which just goes to show how much his baseball career blended into his family life. The event really highlighted his place in the community, not just as a manager.

Each season, Runge worked with dozens of newly drafted players. His 2009 Danville team, for example, had twelve new draftees along with returning players who still needed some development.

He always gave patient attention to guys who might have been overlooked elsewhere. Runge didn’t see returning players as failures. Instead, he saw more chances for growth within the organization.

Personal Life and Current Activities

After playing his last professional game in 1988, Paul Runge jumped into coaching and front office work in pro baseball. He spent three decades with the Atlanta Braves before joining the Houston Astros in 2011 as Minor League Field Coordinator.

Life After Baseball

Paul Runge stayed close to baseball even after retiring as a player. He started his coaching career in 1992 with the Idaho Falls Braves, working as an instructor for young players just beginning their pro journeys.

He kept up his dedication to player development through the 1990s and 2000s. In 2004, Runge worked as a coach for the Danville Braves, another minor league club in Atlanta’s system.

After 30 years with the Braves, Runge made a pretty big move in 2011. He accepted a job as Minor League Field Coordinator with the Houston Astros, bringing all that experience into a new organization.

That new role let him oversee player development at several minor league levels. His background as a former utility infielder helped him teach young players the basics of the game.

Community Involvement

There isn’t much public info about Runge’s specific community involvement. Still, his long run in pro baseball suggests he probably took part in youth baseball programs and outreach efforts.

A lot of former players from his era helped out with local baseball development. They usually ran coaching clinics, taught in youth leagues, and mentored kids who wanted to play at higher levels.

His job as a minor league coordinator naturally included some community engagement. After all, minor league baseball really depends on support from the local community.

Personal Interests and Family

Paul William Runge was born on May 21, 1958, in Kingston, New York. He graduated from Kingston High School in 1976.

After high school, he went to Jacksonville University. Not much is out there about his family life or what he likes to do for fun.

Honestly, that’s not unusual for folks who move from playing into coaching or front office jobs. He’s kept things pretty quiet.

Still, you can tell he really loves baseball. He’s stayed involved in the sport long after his playing days, and that says a lot.

Moving from player to coach to coordinator shows just how much he cares about helping the game grow.