Hall of Fame baseball player Dave Winfield was a 12-time All-Star outfielder and designated hitter whose career spanned 22 seasons with six different teams. Winfield ranks in the top 20 players all-time for RBIs, at-bats, doubles, games and hits.
On April 5, 2009, Winfield made his debut as a Baseball Tonight analyst on ESPN.Star Tribune: Hall of Famer Winfield joins ESPN (March 315, 2009)
Fast Facts:
Early Life and Career
A native of St. Paul, Minnesota, Winfield attended the University of Minnesota and was a star player on the school's baseball and basketball teams. After college, Winfield was drafted by three separate professional sports—baseball, basketball and football— the only person in sports history ever to accomplish this unusual feat. What is even more unusual is that while Winfield was excellent at both basketball and baseball, he had never played college football. After choosing baseball, Winfield's immense talent was again recognized when the San Diego Padres drafted him directly into the Major League Baseball in 1973. His first few years were solid ones, and in 1977, he made the All-Star team for the first of twelve consecutive seasons. The next year, he became a contender for the National League Most Valuable Player Award, and in 1979, he hit 34 home runs and batted in 118, all with a batting average of .308.
The Yankees
Once a free agent, Winfield signed a 10-year, $23 million contract with the New York Yankees in 1981, making him the highest-paid player in baseball. Over the next seasons, Winfield did not disappoint, driving in over 100 RBIs in every one of his eight years with the Yankees except for the strike-shortened '81 season and 1987, when he drove in 97. After the Yankees did not win a pennant since 1981, owner George Steinbrenner expressed his displeasure with Winfield's performance in the final months of the season, calling him "Mr. May", to contrast with Reggie Jackson's "Mr. October" nickname.
Late Career
Winfield was traded in the middle of the 1990 season to the California Angels, and in 1992, a free agent again, signed with the Toronto Blue Jays and had one of his best years ever, leading the team to its first World Series and first World Championship. Winfield finished out his career with his hometown Minnesota Twins, and finally, the Cleveland Indians. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, his first year of eligibility.
Dave Winfield Vital Stats
- Mahalo's Guide to the San Diego Padres
- Baseball-Reference.com: Career Stats
- Height: 6'6"
- Weight: 220 Pounds
- Bats: Right
- Throws: Right
- Rookie Year: 1973
Dave Winfield Timeline
October 3, 1951: Born
1973: Wins College World Series With the University Of Minnesota Golden Gophers
1973: After being selected in MLB Draft, bypasses minor leagues and plays for San Diego Padres
1977-1980: Voted To National League All-Star Team
1981: Signs $23 million Contract With The New York Yankees
1990: Traded To The California Angels
1991: Moves To The Toronto Blue Jays As A Designated Hitter and wins the World Series
1992: Signs With The Minnesota Twins
1994: Traded To The Cleveland Indians
1995: Retires From Baseball
2001: Inducted Into National Baseball Hall Of Fame
Dave Winfield News and Articles
- Google News Search: Dave Winfield
- Star Tribune: Hall of Famer Winfield joins ESPN (March 315, 2009)
- NY Daily News: "Dave Winfield: They're Killing Baseball" (2007)
- PRWeb: "Dave Winfield Says Baseball Is 'Dropping The Ball'" (2007)
- MLB.com: "Winfield Honored For Charity Work" (2007)
