Kal Daniels

Infobox MLB retired
bgcolor1=black
bgcolor2=#c6011f
textcolor1=white
textcolor2=white


width=175
name=Kal Daniels
position=Outfielder
bats=Left
throws=Right
birthdate=birth date and age|1963|8|20
debutdate=April 9
debutyear=by|1986
debutteam=Cincinnati Reds
finaldate=September 22
finalyear=by|1992
finalteam=Chicago Cubs
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.285
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=104
stat3label=RBI
stat3value=360
teams=
*Cincinnati Reds (1986-1989)
*Los Angeles Dodgers (1989-1992)
*Chicago Cubs (1992)
highlights=
*Pioneer League All-Star, 1982

Kalvoski Daniels is a former Major League Baseball outfielder who played from 1986-1992. He spent time with the Cincinnati Reds, Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago Cubs during his seven year career.

Daniels was born on August 20, 1963 in Vienna, Georgia. He attended Northside High School in Warner Robins, Georgia, and he eventually attended Middle Georgia College.

Daniels was drafted by the New York Mets in the third round, 58th overall, of the 1982 amateur entry draft, January Regular Phase. He didn't sign then, but when he was drafted seventh overall by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1982 amateur entry draft, June Secondary Phase, he did.

Daniels started his minor league career almost completely as a one-asset athlete, where his speed was his only asset. In his first professional season, he hit .367 and stole 27 bases in 67 games.

In 1984, his third professional season, Daniels began developing power to go along with his good speed. In 122 games that year, he hit 17 home runs and stole 43 bases.

On April 9, 1986, Daniels made his big league debut at 22 years old. He had a successful rookie season, mostly being used off the bench-he hit .320 with 6 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 78 games (181 at-bats). Many would contend his second season was his best-although he played in only 108 games, he still hit .334 with 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases.

After the 1989 season, his numbers dropped off drastically, especially his stolen base totals-this was because he had to undergo a knee surgery (the sixth of his career), that evidently "stole" his ability to steal bases.

While many would contend his 1987 season was his best, many may also consider his 1990 season his best. Although he only stole 4 bases, he hit 27 home runs and collected 94 RBI. In 1991 and 1992, his numbers began dropping close to the Mendoza Line. He played his final game on September 22, 1992.

Honors and Awards

*In 1982, Daniels was a Pioneer League All-Star.

Major Transactions

*The Reds traded Daniels with Lenny Harris to the Dodgers for Tim Leary and Mariano Duncan on July 18, 1989.
*The Dodgers sent Daniels to the Cubs for a player to be named (minor leaguer Michael Sodders) on June 27, 1992.

Trivia

*Daniels was an All-Star once during his pro career-during his first professional season, but never in the Majors.
*Daniels finished 27^th in MVP voting in 1990.
*Daniels' salary increased each year between 1986 and 1992, going from $60,000 in 1986 to $2.5 million in 1992.
*He led the league in on base percentage in 1988, with a .397 OBP.
*He is most like Bob Cerv statistically.
*He was 5'11", 195 pounds (some say 205) and he threw right-handed but batted left.
*Daniels was teammates longest with three teammates-Eric Davis, Paul O'Neill and Rob Murphy. He spent 6 years with all of them.
*In 1989, Kal Daniels wanted $325,000-owner Marge Schott was offering $300,000. They settled the debate by flipping a coin: Daniels won the coin toss and earned an extra $25,000 that year.
*Only eight times did Daniels not play in the outfield-in 1992, with the Cubs. He played first base during that time, committing one error.
*He was suspended in September, 1988 for throwing a bat into a dugout.
*Daniels works occasionally at the "Mark Johnson Baseball Academy" in Warner Robins, Georgia, owned by catcher Mark Johnson.
*Daniels wore the number 28 throughout his entire career.
*He hit 5 career grand slams, including 3 in 1990.
*He was the player who grounds into a game-ending double play, causing Harvey Keitel's character to pull out his gun and shoot his car radio in "The Bad Lieutenant."