Mendoza Line

From Wiki Gonzalez

The Mendoza Line refers to a .200 batting average, which a self-respecting ballplayer strives not to go below.

Mario Mendoza (http://www.baseball-reference.com/m/mendoma01.shtml) was a shortstop who played for the Pirates, the Mariners, and the Rangers from 1974 and 1982. A good-field, no-hit player, Mendoza hit .215 for his career. At least during his first five seasons, Mendoza was extremely consistent and hit around .200 each year, ranging from .180 to .218 (never actually finishing at .200, mind you). It is believed that George Brett coined the phrase the "Mendoza Line" to refer to a .200 average, and it became common parlance after that.

There is an excellent indie rock band who named themselves The Mendoza Line (http://www.mendozaline.com/).

Also see: Mendez-oza line, Rivera line.