Andy Van Slyke

Template:Mlbretired Andrew James Van Slyke (born December 21, 1960, in Utica, New York) is a retired American Major League Baseball outfielder, and the current first base coach for the Detroit Tigers.

Career

Van Slyke was drafted in the first round (sixth overall pick) of the 1979 Major League Baseball amateur draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. Called up from the AAA Louisville Redbirds, he made his Major League debut with the Cardinals on June 17, 1983.

He began his career the first two years by playing first base, third base, and all three outfield positions. He mostly played right field the next two years, occasionally platooning with Tito Landrum or substituting for Willie McGee in center. During spring training of 1987, he was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates along with left-handed hitting catcher Mike LaValliere and minor league pitcher Mike Dunne for catcher Tony Pena. In Pittsburgh, he mostly played center field alongside stars Barry Bonds and Bobby Bonilla.

Once Van Slyke became a full-time outfielder, he showed off one of the most accurate and powerful throwing arms in the majors. From 1985 to 1994, he was frequently among the league leaders in outfield assists. From 1985 to 1988, he posted seasons of 13, 10, 11, and 12 assists, respectively. As centerfielder for the Pirates, he won five consecutive Gold Gloves from 1988 to 1992. His throw from rightfield on Dane Iorg's game-winning 2-run base hit in Game 6 of the 1985 World Series came very close to nailing the Kansas City Royals' Jim Sundberg as he slid into home with the winning run.

Overall, Van Slyke played for four different teams in his career: the St. Louis Cardinals (1983-1986), Pittsburgh Pirates (1987-1994), Baltimore Orioles (1995), and Philadelphia Phillies (1995). He played his final game on October 1, 1995.

In his 13-year career, Van Slyke appeared in three All-Star games (1988, 1992, 1993), won five Gold Gloves Awards, two Silver Slugger Awards, and ranked in the top 10 in many offensive categories in varying seasons.

Prior to the 2006 season, Van Slyke was named first base coach for the Detroit Tigers by manager Jim Leyland, under whom he had played in Pittsburgh. He was doing a radio show in St. Louis before joining Leyland's staff.

During his years with the Pirates, Andy would always come out to center field between innings with a new baseball and tease the crowd, mostly girls. Just before the inning would start he would throw the ball up into the crowd in center field. He also would play most games in center field with his throwing hand inside his pants.

Trivia

• According to statistics found on Baseball Reference.com, in 1985, he was one of five Cardinals to steal at least 30 bases. He stole 34 that season.
• Has two sons, A.J. and Scott, currently playing professional baseball in the minor leagues. A.J. is in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, while Scott is with the Los Angeles Dodgers. Scott currently plays for the Great Lakes Loons.

See also

• Top 500 home run hitters of all time

External links

• Official Detroit Tigers Coaching Profile
• Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis