BEYOND THE BOXSCORE...Nickname-JB...although getting
up there in age, will always be "The Baby Bear" to
several generations of former teammates who were on hand for
his formative years...graduated from San Leandro High...led club
in hitting in '84 at .536... entered '04 season as Bears all-time
career leader in at-bats (759), runs (211), hits (258), hit-by-pitches
(22) and stolen bases (59)...made what was described by teammate
Dino Vournas as "the greatest catch in Bears history"
during his rookie season...nearly duplicated catch in '97, but
dropped the ball...son Brady born during 2004 off season...feared
slugger was walked 10 times to lead league in '89...has been
hit by more pitches (21) than any other Bear...former Oakland
A's batboy during the Billy Martin era...his ex-fiancee of 17
years, Heidi Ruiz, now lives in Australia...led HARD with .600
on-base percentage in '89...can play all three outfield positions...in
younger years, could play all three outfield positions simultaneously...sparkling
season at the plate in '84 also led the league when he hit .536
(15 for 28)...hit by 4 pitches in '00...swiped 10 bags in '85
season to lead all of HARD...brother of Bob Becker, owner and
operator of B&B Plumbing...once mistaken for a hooker in
Sacramento along with former Bears skipper Mitch Pritchard...lists
greatest Bears thrill as "the time Smithson threw the ball
into centerfield"...a longtime fan favorite...is employed
by the Alameda Newspaper Group during the off-season...legged
out 4 doubles in both '85 and '91 campaigns...leads club in career
steals with 56...hit 2 round trippers in famous '84 season...still
a fleet-footed sweet-swinging-left-handed sparkplug who never
fails to antagonize the enemy, especially Hayward Fishery...off
the field Jon has not shown his flaky tendencies as much since
becoming married to Kari Hulac in 2000...moved into posh new
home around the corner from popular valley brew-pub after 2004
season...wife Kari enjoys fetta cheese on her pizza at Bronco
Billy's...daughter Lacy named after former Dodger Lee Lacy...resides
in Pleasanton, Calif. with wife Kari, son Brady and daughter
Lacy.
LIFETIME STATISTICS (Thru 2004)
AB |
R |
H |
2B |
3B |
HR |
RBI |
BA |
SLG |
SO |
BB |
HBP |
OB% |
SAC |
SB |
759 |
211 |
258 |
32 |
13 |
3 |
91 |
.340 |
.430 |
48 |
92 |
22 |
.473 |
17 |
59 |
E-mail Jon