Dwight Evans
Hard-working Dwight Evans mastered the tricky angles of Fenway Park's right field corner, winning eight Gold Gloves for this skill and his powerful throwing arm. Tutored by batting coach Walt Hriniak, Evans altered his batting style in mid-career, which resulted in a tremendous power increase in his 30s. After batting .265 with 150 homers and 514 RBI in his 20s, Evans clubbed 235 home runs, drove in 870, and batted .277 in his 30s and over the last 10 years of his career. In the second-half of his career, Evans became a patient hitter and was used as a leadoff man starting in 1986. That year he hit the first pitch of the season from Detroit's Jack Morris for a home run, and started the BoSox on their way to 95 wins, the pennant, and within one out of a World Series title. Evans began his career with promise of being a superstar, having won International League Most Valuable Player honors, but he settled into a role as a defensive standout in right field with a modest bat, until he emerged as an offensive threat in the early 1980s. When he retired he ranked among Boston's all-time leaders in games played, runs, hits, home runs (379), walks and RBI.
Played For
Boston Red Sox (1972-1990)
Baltimore Orioles (1991)
All-Time Rankings
Dwight Evans ranks #19 among the Top 50 all-time at RF. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1981
Despite the strike-shortened season, Evans had his best all-around year. He paced the AL in homers (22), total bases (215) and walks (85), one of three times he led the loop in walks. He was also still at his best with the glove, gunning down nine runners from right field, giving him 49 assists in a four-year span. This is all the more amazing, considering that runners were rarely running on him.
Scouting Report
"Can hit to right field, has excellent power to right-center, and can pull high, hanging curves… has trouble with the Ron Guidry-type pitcher who can get the fastball over the outside corner and the slider low and in… one of the best bunters in the league… Gets an excellent jump on any ball hit toward him in right, and is not intimidated by any park… arm is considered the model arm when talking about comparisons. It is powerful and accurate." — from the 1984 Scouting Report
Born
Dwight Michael Evans was born on November 3, 1951, in Santa Monica, CA.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: OF
Primary Team: BOS
Major League Debut
September 16, 1972
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1972
Dwight Evans
Buddy Bell
Mike Schmidt
Bob Boone
Gary Matthews
Davey Lopes
Goose Gossage
Rick Reuschel
Garry Maddox
Nicknames
Dewey, #24
Uniform Numbers
#24 (1972-1991), #40 (1972-1973)
Similar Players
Al Kaline, defensively.
Related Players
Jim Rice and Fred Lynn, who together with Evans, formed one of baseball's greatest outfields.
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 1997 |
BBWAA |
28 |
5.9% |
1998 |
BBWAA |
49 |
10.4% |
1999 |
BBWAA |
18 |
3.6% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1975 American League Championship Series
1975 World Series
1986 American League Championship Series
1986 World Series
1988 American League Championship Series
1990 American League Championship Series
Post-Season Notes
Evans had his finest post-season performance in the 1986 World Series, when he drove in nine runs. He hit a home run in Boston's Game Two victory, and a homer in Game Seven, which gave the Red Sox the lead. Unfortunately the Sox lost that game.
Awards and Honors
1976 AL Gold Glove
1978 AL Gold Glove
1979 AL Gold Glove
1981 AL Gold Glove
1982 AL Gold Glove
1983 AL Gold Glove
1984 AL Gold Glove
1985 AL Gold Glove
Feats
On June 28, 1984, against Seattle in Fenway, Evans hit for the cycle in dramatic fashion. Needing a home run to complete the cycle, Evans blasted a three-run shot in the bottom of the 11th inning to defeat the Mariners, 9-6.
Milestones
Evans collected his 2,000th hit on May 27, 1988, and his 300th homer on June 1, 1987.
Batting Feats
Notes
Evans hit four home runs on opening days in his career. On April 7, 1986, in Tiger Stadium, he hit the first pitch of the season from Jack Morris for a homer, the first time that had occurred in baseball history... Only one man - Carl Yastrzemski, played more games for the Red Sox than Dwight Evans.
Transactions
June 5, 1969: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 5th round of the 1969 amateur draft; October 24, 1990: Released by the Boston Red Sox; December 6, 1990: Signed as a Free Agent with the Baltimore Orioles; November 4, 1991: Granted Free Agency; December 7, 1991: Signed as a Free Agent with the Baltimore Orioles.
All-Star Selections
1978 AL
1981 AL
1987 AL
Replaced
In 1973, Evans supplanted Reggie Smith as the Red Sox' right fielder. Smith moved to center field, while 1972's center fielder, Tommy Harper, moved to left. This put Carl Yastrzemski at first base. By 1974, Smith was traded, Harper was washed up, Yaz was spending more time back in left field, and Rick Miller was in center alongside Evans. In 1975, rookies Fred Lynn (CF) and Jim Rice (LF) joined Evans.
Replaced By
The Sox moved Evans to DH in 1990 after they acquired right fielder Tom Brunansky from St. Louis. Evans was in right field the next year for the Orioles, but gradually lost time to Chito Martinez and Joe Orsulak.
Best Strength as a Player
His throwing arm, which was the best in baseball during his prime.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Speed
Learn More about Dwight Evans
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