Roger Metzger – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Roger Metzger’s baseball career ended suddenly in 1980, but not the way most players say goodbye to the game. Metzger, a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played 11 seasons in the big leagues, lost his playing days to a tragic accident that changed his life forever.

Metzger lost the tips of four fingers on his right hand in a table saw accident while building a Christmas playhouse for his kids in November 1979. That injury effectively ended his professional baseball career. He tried to make a comeback with the San Francisco Giants in 1980 but managed just a .074 batting average in 28 games before the team let him go on August 10, 1980. That was it for his playing career, and he was only 32.

Born in Texas, Metzger built a reputation as one of the National League’s best defensive players while playing for the Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, and San Francisco Giants. His story has both the highs of professional success, like winning a Gold Glove Award, and the unexpected challenges that can derail even the best careers in sports.

Early Life and Education

Roger Henry Metzger was born on October 10, 1947, in Texas. He showed athletic talent early on and earned a baseball scholarship to St. Edward’s University in Austin, where he really stood out as a shortstop.

Family Background

Roger Henry Metzger came into the world on October 10, 1947, in Texas. His family played a big role in shaping his early athletic development.

Growing up in Texas, Metzger had access to baseball all year round. That state’s deep baseball culture definitely influenced him from a young age.

His family always supported his baseball ambitions. That support mattered a lot as he moved up through different levels of competition.

Texas gave him the right environment to fall in love with the game. Those early days in the state prepared him for success in organized baseball.

High School Baseball Career

During high school, Metzger’s defensive skills at shortstop really stood out. College recruiters started to take notice.

He showed off the speed and defensive ability that would define his pro career. Those talents made him a top prospect for college programs.

His high school success set him up well for the next level. College scouts saw him as a skilled defensive player with real potential.

What he learned in high school turned out to be essential for what came next. His defensive prowess became his trademark throughout his baseball journey.

St. Edward’s University and Academic Achievements

Metzger arrived at St. Edward’s University in Austin in 1967 on a baseball scholarship. That time at the university was huge for his athletic growth.

He quickly made a name for himself as an outstanding shortstop on the university team. His defense started getting national attention.

Metzger picked up several honors during his college career:

• NAIA All-American selection
• Sporting News All-American recognition
• Outstanding College Athlete of America award
• First alternate to the 1968 U.S. Olympic baseball team

His college performance caught the eye of pro scouts. The Chicago Cubs drafted him in the first round because of what he did in college.

St. Edward’s gave Metzger the stage he needed to show off his skills. His success there jumpstarted his pro baseball career.

MLB Draft and Debut

Roger Metzger’s road to the majors started when the Chicago Cubs picked him 16th overall in the first round of the 1969 MLB June Amateur Draft. After some time in the minors, he made his big league debut on June 16, 1970, at age 22.

Drafted by the Chicago Cubs

The Cubs saw Metzger’s potential during his college days at St. Edward’s in Austin, Texas. They drafted him in the first round of the 1969 MLB June Amateur Draft, taking him 16th overall.

That high draft spot showed the Cubs’ confidence in Metzger’s skills as a shortstop. They liked his defense and his ability to switch-hit, which made him a pretty attractive pick.

Before college, Metzger went to Holy Cross High School in San Antonio, Texas. His college performance convinced Cubs scouts he had the tools to make it as a pro.

Minor League Experience

After the Cubs drafted him, Metzger spent time working on his game in the minor leagues. The Cubs focused on sharpening his defense and helping him improve as a switch hitter.

Playing in the minors gave him time to adjust to the speed and competition of pro baseball. That experience helped get him ready for what he’d face in the big leagues.

The Cubs’ development program tried to strengthen Metzger’s fundamentals at shortstop and work on his hitting. That preparation paid off when he finally got called up.

Major League Debut

Metzger made his major league debut on June 16, 1970, with the Chicago Cubs. He was 22 years and 249 days old and became the 13,005th player in major league history.

His first season was short—he played in just one game at shortstop. In that game, he went 0-for-2 at the plate, with no hits, walks, or runs.

It wasn’t a flashy start, but that debut kicked off an 11-season big league career. The Cubs gave him his first shot, though he’d end up getting more playing time with other National League teams.

Professional Career Highlights

Roger Metzger played 11 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1970 to 1980, carving out a reputation as a defensive specialist at shortstop. His biggest achievements came with the Houston Astros, where he won a Gold Glove and led the National League in triples twice.

Houston Astros Years

Metzger spent most of his career with the Houston Astros from 1971 to 1978. Those years marked the peak of his professional life.

Gold Glove Recognition

In 1973, Metzger won the National League Gold Glove at shortstop. That award meant he was the league’s best defender at his position. He was actually the first Astros shortstop to ever win it, and no one else from the team did for the next 48 years.

League Leadership in Triples

Metzger led the National League in triples twice while with the Astros:

• 1971: 11 triples
• 1973: 14 triples

His speed and aggressive baserunning always made him a threat to stretch a hit into a triple. The 1973 season, with 14 triples, was his best in that category.

Other Notable Statistics

In 1972, Metzger led the National League in outs with 528. That showed just how often he got to the plate as a regular starter.

San Francisco Giants Tenure

Metzger joined the San Francisco Giants in 1978 and played his last seasons with them through 1980. His time there ended in tragedy.

The 1979 Accident

On November 29, 1979, Metzger lost the tips of four fingers on his right hand in a table-saw accident. He was building a wooden playhouse for his kids as a Christmas present when it happened.

Attempted Comeback

Even after such a serious injury, Metzger tried to return to baseball for the 1980 season. The Giants let him try to prove he could still play at the major league level.

Final Season Performance

His comeback didn’t work out. Metzger played 28 games in 1980 and batted just .074 (2 for 27). The Giants released him on August 10, 1980, ending his playing days at age 32.

The team then brought him back as a coach for the rest of the 1980 season.

Performance with the Chicago Cubs

Metzger started his big league career with the Chicago Cubs in 1970. The Cubs had picked him 16th overall in the 1969 MLB draft out of St. Edward’s University.

MLB Debut

He made his debut on June 16, 1970, at age 22. That capped off a strong college career at St. Edward’s in Austin, Texas.

Limited Role

Metzger didn’t play much that first season. He mostly served as a backup, getting used to the big leagues.

Trade to Houston

After 1970, the Cubs traded Metzger to the Houston Astros. That move changed everything for him, as he became a regular starter and enjoyed his best years with Houston.

Leaving Chicago opened the door for the most productive part of his career.

Playing Style and Strengths

Roger Metzger built his reputation on defense, standing out as one of the best shortstops in Houston Astros history. He could handle multiple infield positions and brought a lot of value to his teams.

Defensive Skills and Fielding

Defense was Metzger’s calling card. He won the National League Gold Glove at shortstop in 1973, which was the pinnacle of his fielding.

Looking at the numbers, his consistency jumps out. Metzger posted a .977 fielding percentage with the Astros, the best of any shortstop in team history with over 300 games played.

In 1976, he set a National League record with 59 consecutive errorless games. That streak showed just how steady and reliable he was.

Metzger led NL shortstops in fielding percentage twice. He also led the league in double plays, putouts, and assists once each.

His range factor of 4.69 was over 5% better than the league average during his career. That number measures how many balls a player reaches in his area.

Key Defensive Achievements:

• 1973 NL Gold Glove Award winner
• NL record: 59 consecutive errorless games (1976)
• Highest fielding percentage (.977) among Astros shortstops
• Led the league in fielding percentage twice

Shortstop Role and Position Versatility

Metzger mostly played shortstop, but he could fill in at second or third base, and he sometimes pinch-hit or pinch-ran.

He anchored the Astros’ defense at shortstop for eight seasons. Metzger turned more double plays than any other shortstop in team history, at the highest rate per game.

His consistency at shortstop was impressive. He posted a .980 fielding percentage in both 1973 and 1976, playing over 81 games at short each of those years.

He covered a lot of ground, which made him valuable even though he wasn’t much of a hitter. Metzger’s speed and anticipation let him make plays that others might miss.

Teams trusted his glove so much that he stayed in the lineup even when his hitting slumped. His defense always kept him in demand.

Career Statistics and Achievements

Roger Metzger finished his MLB career with a .231 batting average across 11 seasons. He notched 972 hits and 254 runs batted in. His biggest offensive highlight was leading the National League in triples twice, but his defensive excellence earned him a Gold Glove in 1973.

Batting and On-Base Performance

Metzger’s offensive numbers reflected his defense-first role from 1970 to 1980. He hit .231 for his career, collecting 972 hits in 11 seasons.

He drove in 254 runs, which shows he didn’t have a lot of power. Metzger switch-hit but focused more on making contact and getting on base than hitting home runs.

As a shortstop with a lean 165-pound frame, he relied on placement and timing, not brute strength.

Metzger’s on-base ability helped him contribute even with modest batting averages. He worked counts and found ways to get on, which fit nicely with his defensive strengths.

Leading the League in Triples

Metzger’s speed really showed in how often he hit triples during his best years. He actually led the National League in triples twice, in 1971 and again in 1973.

In 1971, during his first full season with the Houston Astros, Metzger grabbed the triple crown. He had this knack for turning what looked like routine doubles into triples, thanks to his speed on the bases.

The 1973 season brought his second time leading the league in triples. That same year, he picked up a Gold Glove Award, which kind of sums up just how much he did for the Astros.

Triples take more than just speed. You need smart base running and, honestly, a bit of luck with the ballpark. Metzger’s knack for triples showed off both his baseball smarts and his athleticism.

Base Running and Stolen Bases

Metzger’s speed really defined how he played throughout his career. He brought a lot of value to his team with his base-stealing, not just with his bat.

Pitchers and catchers always had to keep an eye on him because he could take off at any moment. That pressure alone messed with their timing and opened up chances for his teammates.

He knew when to push his luck and when to hold back on the bases. That kind of smart base running let him get the most out of every opportunity.

He could stretch singles into doubles, and doubles into triples, just by hustling. Even though his batting average wasn’t flashy, his aggressive running made him a lot more valuable.

Notable Honors and Awards

Metzger picked up the 1973 National League Gold Glove Award at shortstop for his defense. That award really put him among the best defensive players in the league.

The Gold Glove recognized his strong arm, quick reflexes, and great positioning. He kept the Astros’ infield steady during his time in Houston.

A table saw accident between the 1979 and 1980 seasons cut his career short. Metzger lost the tips of four fingers, which made it almost impossible for him to grip a bat or glove.

He tried to come back in 1980, but hit just .074 in 28 games with the San Francisco Giants. The Giants let him go on August 10, 1980, and that was the end of his pro career at 32.

Retirement and Post-Baseball Life

Roger Henry Metzger’s baseball days ended suddenly in 1980 after a table saw accident took the tips of four fingers from his throwing hand. Even with that setback, he managed to switch gears, running a restaurant and later working as an educator, which says a lot about his resilience.

Retirement in 1980

Metzger’s last season with the San Francisco Giants turned into a struggle after his accident. The table saw mishap happened between the 1979 and 1980 seasons, slicing off the tips of four fingers on his right hand.

His father found the severed fingertips scattered around the garage and put them on ice. Doctors in Houston decided not to try reattaching them.

He couldn’t hit well after the injury. Metzger finished the 1980 season with a .074 average in 28 games. The Giants released him on August 10, 1980, closing out his 11-year Major League run.

He spent the rest of that season coaching for the Giants. Metzger later said he had only planned to play a couple more years anyway, so retiring wasn’t as big a shock as it could have been.

Life After MLB

After baseball, Metzger jumped into the restaurant business. He and his wife Tamy ran the Bluebonnet Hills Inn on U.S. 290 between Houston and Austin, over in Chappell Hill, Texas.

The place focused on comfort food, serving up chicken-fried steak and all kinds of homestyle sides. Locals in Washington County kept them busy, and the business did well.

“Believe it or not, there is life after baseball,” Metzger once said about running the restaurant. The place kept him so busy that he couldn’t coach young ballplayers in Brenham as much as he’d hoped.

Even with his injury, Metzger could still play baseball. But his attention turned to his business and later to teaching, when he became a teacher at the Brenham State School.

Legacy in Baseball

Metzger’s baseball legacy really comes down to his defensive skills during those prime years with the Houston Astros.

In 1973, he grabbed the Golden Glove Award at shortstop, which says a lot about how good he was with the glove.

He played from 1970 to 1980.

Honestly, those seven seasons with Houston from 1971 to 1978 were his best stretch.

In 1987, they put him in the St. Edward’s Athletics Hall of Fame, a nod to what he did at St. Edward’s University in Austin.

Metzger once admitted he had one big regret: “I just regret one thing. I was never on a World Series team.”

But even with that disappointment, he said the good times in baseball definitely outweighed the bad.

His story shows how tough pro baseball can be, and how much resilience you need if you want to build a successful life after sports.

After his playing days, the former shortstop jumped into the restaurant business, and honestly, that adaptability probably helped him just as much off the field.