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{{short description|American baseball player and coach (born 1950)}}
{{Infobox MLB player
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2013}}
|name=Chris Speier
{{Infobox baseball biography
|position=[[Shortstop]]
|name = Chris Speier
|bats=Right
|image = 2013 05 18 061 Reds Chris Speier.jpg
|throws=Right
|caption = Speier as a Cincinnati Reds coach in 2013
|birthdate={{birth date and age|1950|6|28}}
|team =
|birthplace={{city-state|Alameda|California}}
|number =
|debutdate=[[April 7]]
|position = [[Shortstop]]
|debutyear={{by|1971}}
|bats = Right
|debutteam=[[San Francisco Giants]]
|throws = Right
|finaldate=[[October 1]]
|birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1950|6|28}}
|finalyear={{by|1989}}
|birth_place = [[Alameda, California]], U.S.
|finalteam=[[San Francisco Giants]]
|debutleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average]]
|debutdate = April 7
|stat1value=.246
|debutyear = 1971
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|debutteam = San Francisco Giants
|stat2value=112
|finalleague = MLB
|stat3label=[[Runs batted in]]
|finaldate = October 1
|stat3value=720
|finalyear = 1989
|teams=<nowiki></nowiki><!--This forces MediaWiki to recognize the first bullet. Kind of a workaround to a bug.-->
* [[San Francisco Giants]] ({{by|1971}}-{{by|1977}}, {{by|1987}}-{{by|1989}})
|finalteam = San Francisco Giants
|statleague = MLB
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{by|1977}}-{{by|1984}})
|stat1label = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{by|1984}})
|stat1value = .246
* [[Minnesota Twins]] ({{by|1984}})
|stat2label = [[Home run]]s
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{by|1985}}-{{by|1986}})
|stat2value = 112
|highlights=<nowiki></nowiki>
|stat3label = [[Runs batted in]]
* 3x [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selection (1972, 1973, 1974)
|stat3value = 720
|teams =
'''As player'''
* [[San Francisco Giants]] ({{mlby|1971}}–{{mlby|1977}})
* [[Montreal Expos]] ({{mlby|1977}}–{{mlby|1984}})
* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|1984}})
* [[Minnesota Twins]] ({{mlby|1984}})
* [[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|1985}}–{{mlby|1986}})
* [[San Francisco Giants]] ({{mlby|1987}}–{{mlby|1989}})
'''As coach'''
*[[Milwaukee Brewers]] ({{mlby|2000}})
*[[Arizona Diamondbacks]] ({{mlby|2001}})
*[[Oakland Athletics]] ({{mlby|2004}})
*[[Chicago Cubs]] ({{mlby|2005}}–{{mlby|2006}})
*[[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2013}})
*[[Washington Nationals]] ({{mlby|2016}}–{{mlby|2017}})
*[[Houston Astros]] ({{mlby|2020}})
|highlights=
* 3× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1972]]–[[1974 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1974]])
* [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|2001}})
* [[San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame]]
}}
}}
'''Christopher Edward Speier''' (born [[June 28]],[[1950]] in [[Alameda, California]]) is a former [[Major League Baseball]] player and current bench [[coach (baseball)|coach]] for the [[Cincinnati Reds]]. He was [[draft (sport)|drafted]] second in the first round of 1970 draft, Speier played nineteen seasons in the [[Major League Baseball|Major League]]s as a [[shortstop]] for the [[Montreal Expos]], [[San Francisco Giants]], [[Chicago Cubs]], and briefly for the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] and [[Minnesota Twins]] during the 1984 season.


'''Christopher Edward Speier''' (born June 28, 1950) is an [[Americans|American]] former professional [[baseball]] player. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] as a [[shortstop]], most notably for the [[San Francisco Giants]] and the [[Montreal Expos]]. He is known by the [[nickname]] "'''the [[Alameda, California|Alameda]] Rifle'''" as a native of the [[San Francisco Bay Area]] city who possessed a strong arm during his days as an active player.<ref>[https://www.sfgate.com/giants/shea/article/Reds-Speier-bonds-with-Giants-Crawford-3937721.php Shea, John. "Reds' Speier bonds with Giants' Crawford," ''San Francisco Chronicle'', Thursday, October 11, 2012.] Retrieved October 23, 2020</ref>
He accrued a career .246 [[batting average]] and a .970 [[fielding percentage]]. His overall playing strengths were his solid fielding and selective eye at the plate; he lead the league in [[Intentional base on balls|intentional walk]]s in 1980 and 1981. He was also named to the [[National League]] All-Star team during the 1972, 1973, and 1974 seasons as a member of the Giants. He won the 1987 [[Willie Mac Award]] for his spirit and leadership.


==Playing career==
He was signed by the Cincinnati Reds on [[October 29]], [[2007]] as an [[infield]] coach. According to new [[Manager (baseball)|manager]] [[Dusty Baker]], Speier will also serve as the Reds' [[bench coach]] because Baker said he needed "... an infield guy. Him being an infield guy was very important". [http://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2007-10-30-2470704228_x.htm]
[[File:SFG1976H35SPEIER.jpg|thumb|left|1976 San Francisco Giants #35 Chris Speier home jersey]]Speier was drafted by the Giants as the second overall pick in the first round of [[1970 Major League Baseball draft]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/draft/research.asp?Q=Y&Y1=1970&Y2=1970&R=1&PID=18293 |title=1970 Major League Baseball Draft |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |accessdate=30 August 2018 }}</ref> Speier played 19 seasons in the Major Leagues as a [[shortstop]] for the [[Montreal Expos]], [[San Francisco Giants]], [[Chicago Cubs]] and briefly for the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] and [[Minnesota Twins]] during the 1984 season. In an exchange of starting shortstops, he was traded from the Giants to the Expos for [[Tim Foli]] on April 26, 1977.<ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1977/04/27/archives/speier-of-giants-traded-to-the-expos-for-foli.html "Speier of Giants Traded To the Expos for Foli," ''The Associated Press'' (AP), Tuesday, April 26, 1977.] Retrieved October 23, 2020</ref>


Speier accrued a career .246 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] and a .970 [[fielding percentage]] at shortstop. His overall playing strengths were his solid fielding and selective eye at the plate. He was also named to the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] All-Star team during the 1972, 1973 and 1974 seasons as a member of the Giants. Speier won the 1987 [[Willie Mac Award]] for his spirit and leadership during his second time with the Giants.
Speier is the father of current [[Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim]] relief pitcher [[Justin Speier]].

He hit for the [[cycle (baseball)|cycle]] twice in his major league career, on July 20, 1978, as a member of the [[Montreal Expos]] in a 7-3 victory over the [[Atlanta Braves]] at Montreal and nearly 10 years later on July 9, 1988, as a member of the San Francisco Giants in a 21-2 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals at [[Candlestick Park]].

==Coaching career==
{{prose|section|date=March 2021}}
2000 [[Milwaukee Brewers]] Third Base Coach Wearing #43

2001 [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] Third Base Coach Wearing #35

2004 [[Oakland Athletics]] Bench Coach Wearing #46

2005-2006 [[Chicago Cubs]] Third Base Coach Wearing #35

2008-2013 [[Cincinnati Reds]] bench coach wearing #35/interim third base coach in 2013 when [[Mark Berry (baseball)|Mark Berry]] was receiving treatment for throat cancer

2016-2017 [[Washington Nationals]] Bench Coach Wearing #35

2020 [[Houston Astros]] Quality Control Coach Wearing #36

Speier was a coach on the World Series champion [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] in 2001. He was the third base coach for the [[Chicago Cubs]] from 2005 to 2006.

Speier was signed by the [[Cincinnati Reds]] on October 29, 2007, as an [[infield]] coach and served as the Reds' [[bench coach]]. He also filled in when manager [[Dusty Baker]] was hospitalized in Chicago in September 2012 – this was when they clinched a playoff berth.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120920&content_id=38724066&vkey=news_cin&c_id=cin|title=Baker stays in Chicago hospital to receive fluids|publisher=www.Reds.com|accessdate=September 22, 2012}}</ref> He was replaced as the bench coach by [[Jay Bell]] when Baker was fired, but stayed on in the Reds organization as a Special Assistant to General Manager [[Walt Jocketty]].

When Baker became the manager of the [[Washington Nationals]] before the 2016 season, Speier was named bench coach; his contract expired after the 2017 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/10/dusty-baker-will-not-return-as-nationals-manager-in-2018.html|title=Dusty Baker Will Not Return As Nationals' Manager In 2018|work=MLB Trade Rumors|date=October 20, 2017|accessdate=October 20, 2017|first=Steve|last=Adams}}</ref>

==Career statistics==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|Years
|Games
|[[Plate appearances|PA]]
|[[At bat|AB]]
|[[Run (baseball)|R]]
|[[Hit (baseball)|H]]
|[[Double (baseball)|2B]]
|[[Triple (baseball)|3B]]
|[[Home runs|HR]]
|[[Runs batted in|RBI]]
|[[Base on balls|BB]]
|[[Strikeouts|SO]]
|[[Batting average (baseball)|AVG]]
|[[On-base percentage|OBP]]
|[[Slugging percentage|SLG]]
|[[Fielding percentage|FLD%]]
|-
|19
|2260
|8155
|7156
|770
|1759
|302
|50
|112
|720
|847
|988
|.246
|.327
|.349
|.971
|}
Speier also played 185 games at third base, 138 games at second base and 2 games at first base. In the post-season covering 17 games (1971,1981,1987 NLCS) he batted .280 (14-for-50) with 8 runs, 1 home run and 4 RBI.

==Personal life==
Speier was born and raised in [[Alameda, California]], also the hometown of Major Leaguers [[Willie Stargell]], [[Dontrelle Willis]] and [[Jimmy Rollins]]. He graduated from [[Alameda High School]].

Speier is the father of former MLB [[relief pitcher]] [[Justin Speier]] and the uncle of [[Gabe Speier]].

Speier converted to Catholicism after meeting his now ex-wife and became an activist in the pro-life movement. In 1993 he was the principal of the religious Ville de Marie Academy in [[Scottsdale, Arizona]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1993-02-17/news/good-book-great-booksshortstop-turned-principal-chris-speier-still-believes-in-fundamentals/1|title=Good Book Great Books Shortstop Turned Principal Chris Speier Still Believes in Fundamentals|publisher=Phfoenix New Times News|author=Dave Walker|date=February 17, 1993}}</ref> The school was not accredited by the state, nor was it affiliated with the local diocese.


==See also==
==See also==
* [[Hitting for the cycle]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==Further reading==
*{{cite web |url=http://sabr.org/bioproj/person/5c13230b |title=Chris Speier |first=Norm |last=King |website=[[Society for American Baseball Research|SABR]]}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=s/speiech01 |fangraphs= |cube=}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=122573|espn=273|br=s/speiech01|fangraphs=1012316|brm=speier001chr|retro=S/Pspeic001}}
*[https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/5c13230b Chris Speier] at SABR (Baseball BioProject)
:


{{start box}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-ach}}
{{succession box | before = [[Wendell Kim]] | title = [[Chicago Cubs]] third base coach| years = 2005-2006 | after = [[Mike Quade]]}}
{{succession box| before = [[Andre Thornton]]<br>[[Robin Yount]] | title = [[Hitting for the cycle]]| years = July 20, 1978<br>July 9, 1988 | after = [[Mike Cubbage]]<br>[[Mike Greenwell]]}}
{{end box}}
{{succession box|title=[[Willie Mac Award]]|before=[[Mike Krukow]]|years=1987|after=[[José Uribe]]}}
{{Cincinnati Reds roster navbox}}
{{s-sports}}
{{succession box | before = [[Wendell Kim]] | title = [[Chicago Cubs]] third base coach| years = 2005–2006 | after = [[Mike Quade]]}}
{{s-end}}

{{2001 Arizona Diamondbacks|state=collapsed}}
{{authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Speier, Chris}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Speier, Chris}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:1950 births]]
[[Category:Amarillo Giants players]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:Arizona Diamondbacks coaches]]
[[Category:Baseball coaches from California]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs coaches]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds coaches]]
[[Category:Houston Astros coaches]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball bench coaches]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball shortstops]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball shortstops]]
[[Category:San Francisco Giants players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball third base coaches]]
[[Category:Montreal Expos players]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Brewers coaches]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals players]]
[[Category:Minnesota Twins players]]
[[Category:Minnesota Twins players]]
[[Category:Chicago Cubs players]]
[[Category:Minor league baseball managers]]
[[Category:Montreal Expos players]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Baseball players who have hit for the cycle]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Alameda, California]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball coaches]]
[[Category:Phoenix Firebirds players]]
[[Category:Baseball coaches]]
[[Category:San Francisco Giants players]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players from California]]
[[Category:UC Santa Barbara Gauchos baseball players]]
[[Category:Washington Nationals coaches]]

Latest revision as of 21:18, 6 March 2024

Chris Speier
Speier as a Cincinnati Reds coach in 2013
Shortstop
Born: (1950-06-28) June 28, 1950 (age 73)
Alameda, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 7, 1971, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
October 1, 1989, for the San Francisco Giants
MLB statistics
Batting average.246
Home runs112
Runs batted in720
Teams
As player

As coach

Career highlights and awards

Christopher Edward Speier (born June 28, 1950) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop, most notably for the San Francisco Giants and the Montreal Expos. He is known by the nickname "the Alameda Rifle" as a native of the San Francisco Bay Area city who possessed a strong arm during his days as an active player.[1]

Playing career[edit]

1976 San Francisco Giants #35 Chris Speier home jersey

Speier was drafted by the Giants as the second overall pick in the first round of 1970 Major League Baseball draft.[2] Speier played 19 seasons in the Major Leagues as a shortstop for the Montreal Expos, San Francisco Giants, Chicago Cubs and briefly for the St. Louis Cardinals and Minnesota Twins during the 1984 season. In an exchange of starting shortstops, he was traded from the Giants to the Expos for Tim Foli on April 26, 1977.[3]

Speier accrued a career .246 batting average and a .970 fielding percentage at shortstop. His overall playing strengths were his solid fielding and selective eye at the plate. He was also named to the National League All-Star team during the 1972, 1973 and 1974 seasons as a member of the Giants. Speier won the 1987 Willie Mac Award for his spirit and leadership during his second time with the Giants.

He hit for the cycle twice in his major league career, on July 20, 1978, as a member of the Montreal Expos in a 7-3 victory over the Atlanta Braves at Montreal and nearly 10 years later on July 9, 1988, as a member of the San Francisco Giants in a 21-2 rout of the St. Louis Cardinals at Candlestick Park.

Coaching career[edit]

2000 Milwaukee Brewers Third Base Coach Wearing #43

2001 Arizona Diamondbacks Third Base Coach Wearing #35

2004 Oakland Athletics Bench Coach Wearing #46

2005-2006 Chicago Cubs Third Base Coach Wearing #35

2008-2013 Cincinnati Reds bench coach wearing #35/interim third base coach in 2013 when Mark Berry was receiving treatment for throat cancer

2016-2017 Washington Nationals Bench Coach Wearing #35

2020 Houston Astros Quality Control Coach Wearing #36

Speier was a coach on the World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. He was the third base coach for the Chicago Cubs from 2005 to 2006.

Speier was signed by the Cincinnati Reds on October 29, 2007, as an infield coach and served as the Reds' bench coach. He also filled in when manager Dusty Baker was hospitalized in Chicago in September 2012 – this was when they clinched a playoff berth.[4] He was replaced as the bench coach by Jay Bell when Baker was fired, but stayed on in the Reds organization as a Special Assistant to General Manager Walt Jocketty.

When Baker became the manager of the Washington Nationals before the 2016 season, Speier was named bench coach; his contract expired after the 2017 season.[5]

Career statistics[edit]

Years Games PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG FLD%
19 2260 8155 7156 770 1759 302 50 112 720 847 988 .246 .327 .349 .971

Speier also played 185 games at third base, 138 games at second base and 2 games at first base. In the post-season covering 17 games (1971,1981,1987 NLCS) he batted .280 (14-for-50) with 8 runs, 1 home run and 4 RBI.

Personal life[edit]

Speier was born and raised in Alameda, California, also the hometown of Major Leaguers Willie Stargell, Dontrelle Willis and Jimmy Rollins. He graduated from Alameda High School.

Speier is the father of former MLB relief pitcher Justin Speier and the uncle of Gabe Speier.

Speier converted to Catholicism after meeting his now ex-wife and became an activist in the pro-life movement. In 1993 he was the principal of the religious Ville de Marie Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona.[6] The school was not accredited by the state, nor was it affiliated with the local diocese.

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ Shea, John. "Reds' Speier bonds with Giants' Crawford," San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2020
  2. ^ "1970 Major League Baseball Draft". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  3. ^ "Speier of Giants Traded To the Expos for Foli," The Associated Press (AP), Tuesday, April 26, 1977. Retrieved October 23, 2020
  4. ^ "Baker stays in Chicago hospital to receive fluids". www.Reds.com. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  5. ^ Adams, Steve (October 20, 2017). "Dusty Baker Will Not Return As Nationals' Manager In 2018". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  6. ^ Dave Walker (February 17, 1993). "Good Book Great Books Shortstop Turned Principal Chris Speier Still Believes in Fundamentals". Phfoenix New Times News.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Hitting for the cycle
July 20, 1978
July 9, 1988 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Willie Mac Award
1987 		Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Preceded by Chicago Cubs third base coach
2005–2006 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Chris_Speier&oldid=1212244285"