Joe Orsulak

Joseph Michael Orsulak (born May 31, 1962) is a 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. On the basepaths, he had better than average speed, until a 1987 knee injury slowed him down.[1] His strong arm helped him lead the league, in 1991, in outfield assists.[2] 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.[3] 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 the Navegantes del Magallanes in the LVBP (Venezuelan Winter League),[4] starting with the 1983 season, during which he met his future wife, Adriana Venditti. They married during the 1988 All-Star break[5] and had two children, Joseph and Michael. After a long struggle with brain cancer,[6] Adriana died in 2004.[7]

Orsulak grew up in Parsippany-Troy Hills, New Jersey,[8] where he graduated from Parsippany Hills High School.[9] He turned down a full scholarship to Seton Hall University in order to sign with the Pirates and go pro.[10]