Mendoza was primarily a shortstop, and the epitome of a "good field, no hit" player, compiling a lifetime .215 batting average and .262 slugging percentage. Mendoza also rarely stole a base or drew a walk, resulting in a well-rounded offensive ineptitude that caused him to be little more than a defensive substitute throughout most of his career. The one exception was 1979, when the Mariners, in the third year of their existence, gave Mendoza almost 400 at bats. He responded with a .198 batting average
Mendoza's most lasting contribution to the game was giving his name to the "Mendoza Line," meaning a .200 batting average. The name was reportedly bestowed by George Brett, who came up with the term when using Mendoza as an example of poor hitting during an interview. The term has also been credited to Bruce Bochte and Tom Paciorek.
Mendoza Line is a somewhat informal term used in the sport of baseball.
The Mendoza line (.200 to.215) is said to be the lowest batting average a position player can have to justify playing in the Major Leagues, despite what he does with the glove.
Another, and more popular, explanation for the Mendoza Line's origins centers around MarioMendoza; a Mexican player who spent nine years in the major leagues (1974-82) with three different teams, the Pittsburgh Pirates, Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, and was a career.215 hitter.
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