Chris Speier

Template:Mlbretired Christopher Edward Speier (born June 28,1950 in Alameda, California) is a former Major League Baseball player and former third base coach for the Chicago Cubs. He was drafted second in the first round of 1970 draft, Speier played eighteen 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.

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 walks 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.

He was signed by the Cincinnati Reds on October 29th, 2007 as an infield coach. According to new 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". [1]

Speier is the father of current Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim relief pitcher Justin Speier.

See also

• Hitting for the cycle
• Montreal Expos all-time roster

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference