Andy Van Slyke

Infobox MLB retired
name=Andy Van Slyke


position=Outfielder
bats=Left
throws=Right
birthdate =birth date and age|1960|12|21
city-state|Utica|New York
debutdate=June 17
debutyear=by|1983
debutteam=St. Louis Cardinals
finaldate=October 1
finalyear=by|1995
finalteam=Philadelphia Phillies
stat1label=Batting average
stat1value=.274
stat2label=Home runs
stat2value=164
stat3label=Runs batted in
stat3value=792
teams=
* St. Louis Cardinals (by|1983-by|1986)
* Pittsburgh Pirates (by|1987-by|1994)
* Baltimore Orioles (by|1995)
* Philadelphia Phillies (by|1995)
highlights=
* 3x All-Star selection (1988, 1992, 1993)
* 5x Gold Glove Award winner (1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992)
* 2x Silver Slugger Award winner (1988, 1992)

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 earned All-American honors in baseball as a senior at New Hartford Central High school located in New Hartford, New York.

He 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 center fielder for the Pirates, he won five consecutive Gold Gloves from 1988 to 1992. His throw from right field 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.

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, part of the "Whiteyball" era.
*Has three sons, A.J., Scott, and Jared. Both A.J. and Scott are currently playing professional baseball in the minor leagues. A.J. plays for the Palm Beach Cardinals in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, while Scott is with the Los Angeles Dodgers, currently playing for the Inland Empire 66'ers. Jared is a sophomore quarterback for the Southeast Missouri State University Redhawks football team.

ee also

* List of Major League Baseball doubles champions
* List of Major League Baseball triples champions
* Top 500 home run hitters of all time

References

External links

* [http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=det&coachorstaffid=123653 Official Detroit Tigers Coaching Profile]
*baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=v/vanslan01 |fangraphs=1013363 |cube=V/andy-van-slyke