Joseph Michael Orsulak (born May 31, 1962) is an American former Major League Baseball player whose career spanned 1983 to 1997 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, Florida Marlins, and Montreal Expos. Orsulak, who threw and batted left-handed, played mostly in the outfield, although he played some games at first base late in his career. On the basepaths, he had excellent speed until a 1987 knee injury slowed him down.Joe Orsulak, New Jersey Sports Heroes. Accessed October 28, 2015. He was traded from the Pirates to the Orioles for Rico Rossy and minor-league shortstop Terry Crowley, Jr. on November 6, 1987.Justice, Richard. "Orioles, Hemond Discuss a Job," The Washington Post, Saturday, November 7, 1987. Retrieved January 29, 2023. He led the league in outfield assists in 1991."1991 American League Fielding Leaders", Baseball-Reference.com. Accessed September 29, 2015. In 1992, he made the first out at the Orioles' new Camden Yards ballpark, going on to lead the team that year in batting average."Whatever Happened To ... ?", The Baltimore Sun, June 7, 2008. Accessed October 28, 2015. He elected to become a free agent on October 28, 1992, after five seasons with the Orioles.Maske, Mark. "Orsulak to Become Free Agent," The Washington Post, Wednesday, October 28, 1992. Retrieved January 29, 2023. Despite his relatively long career (with five major league clubs), he never played in the post-season in the Majors.
Orsulak played winter ball for three consecutive years with Navegantes del Magallanes in the LVBP (Venezuelan Winter League),"Estadisticas Beisbol profesional Venezolano". Accessed October 28, 2015. starting with the 1983 season, during which he met his future wife, Adriana Venditti. They married during the 1988 All-Star break"Time", Los Angeles Times, July 26, 1996. Accessed October 28, 2015. and had two children, Joseph and Michael. After a long struggle with brain cancer,"Orsulak Deals With Private Pain". Accessed October 28, 2015. Adriana died in 2004."Adriana Orsulak, 39, wife of Orioles player". Accessed October 28, 2015.
Orsulak grew up in Parsippany–Troy Hills, New Jersey,Martinez, Michael. "Baseball; Yankees' Chances Slip By", The New York Times, August 27, 1989. Accessed October 28, 2007. "Orsulak, from Parsippany, N.J., is 8 for 13 in three games against the Yanks with six runs and five runs batted in." where he graduated from Parsippany Hills High School."Orsulak Signs With Marlins - Next Targets: Cone, Mcdowell", The Record (Bergen County), December 6, 1995. Accessed August 2, 2007. "Orsulak, a Parsippany Hills High School graduate, signed a two-year deal worth $1.275 million and is expected to strengthen the Marlins' bench." He turned down a full scholarship to Seton Hall University in order to sign with the Pirates."Joe Orsulak tells his MLB draft story and decision to go pro.", Comcast SportsNet Mid-Atlantic. Accessed July 1, 2016.
References
External links , or Retrosheet