Cecil Fielder
Like the mythical bird Phoenix, Cecil Fielder rose from the ashes of a sagging career and reached tremendous heights. Those heights included the distance of his many home run blasts, which challenged the boundaries of American League ballparks in the 1990s. In 1990, the big right-handed slugger became the first man to hit 50 homers in the American League since Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris in 1961. In 1992, Fielder led the major leagues in RBI for the third straight season, the first man to do that in more than a decade.
Played For
Toronto Blue Jays (1985-1988)
Detroit Tigers (1990-1996)
New York Yankees (1996-1997)
Anaheim Angels (1998)
Cleveland Indians (1998)
Minor League Experience
The Los Angeles native began his career in the Blue Jay organization, but found his path blocked by first basemen Willie Upshaw and Fred McGriff. In 1989 he played in Japan, regaining his confidence and his batting stroke. In the off-season the Tigers were the only team that answered his call for a major league chance. In 1990 he proved them right, hitting 51 home runs (including two on the season’s final day) and driving in 132 runners. Both figures led the major leagues. What a difference one season had made.
Best Season: 1990
Had he played on a team with a winning record, or in a media hotspot, Fielder may have won the MVP. The award was given instead to Rickey Henderson, who had a typical season for him. Fielder led all of baseball in homers (51), RBI (132), and slugging (.592). He even hit a triple. Yes, he was a one dimensional player, but that dimension was pretty damn good in 1990.
Born
Cecil Grant Fielder was born on September 21, 1963, in Los Angeles, CA.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: DET
College: UNLV
Major League Debut
July 20, 1985
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1985
Andres Galarraga
Paul O'Neill
Ozzie Guillen
Devon White
Jose Canseco
Cecil Fielder
Teddy Higuera
Shawon Dunston
Todd Worrell
Nicknames
Big Daddy
Family Tree
Fielder's son Prince was a highly-touted prospect in 2001, inheriting his father's athletic ability and his knack for smacking a baseball. The younger Fielder signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.
Similar Players
No one really, Fielder was a big man with little range but a great bat. Bill James, in his New Historical Baseball Abstract, calls Cecil "a fat guy that hit a few home runs for a while." That's an oversimplification. Fielder led the majors in RBI for three years not because he could hit home runs, but because he was a good hitter. His career mark of .255 is comparable to Mark McGwire's .263, and he hit home runs at an amazing pace before they became so commonplace. He also deserves credit for being a very durable player, especially considering his physique. From 1990 to 1993 he missed 18 games in four seasons.
Related Players
Rickey Henderson, Prince Fielder
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 2004 |
BBWAA |
1 |
.2% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1985 American League Championship Series
1996 American League Championship Series
1996 American League Divisional Series
1996 World Series
1997 American League Divisional Series
Batting Feats
- May 6, 1990: 3 HR...
- June 6, 1990: 3 HR...
- April 16, 1996: 3 HR...
Transactions
June 8, 1981: Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 31st round of the 1981 amateur draft, but did not sign; June 7, 1982: Drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the 4th round of the 1982 amateur draft (Secondary Phase); February 5, 1983: Traded by the Kansas City Royals to the Toronto Blue Jays for Leon Roberts; December 22, 1988: Purchased by the Hanshin Tigers (Japan Central) from the Toronto Blue Jays; January 15, 1990: Signed as a Free Agent with the Detroit Tigers; July 31, 1996: Traded by the Detroit Tigers to the New York Yankees for Ruben Sierra and Matt Drews (minors); October 27, 1997: Granted Free Agency; December 19, 1997: Signed as a Free Agent with the Anaheim Angels; August 10, 1998: Released by the Anaheim Angels; August 13, 1998: Signed as a Free Agent with the Cleveland Indians; September 18, 1998: Released by the Cleveland Indians.
“Big Daddy” was a fan favorite, with his big smile (and belly to match). He continued to produce for the Tigers up until his trade to the Yankees in 1996. As a DH he hit 13 homers down the stretch for the Yanks, and was rewarded with a World Series ring in October.
All-Star Selections
1990 AL
1991 AL
1993 AL
Replaced
Dave Bergman
Replaced By
Darin Erstad
Best Strength as a Player
Raw power
Largest Weakness as a Player
It's a good thing he got the chance to trot a lot, because he could not run.
Learn More about Cecil Fielder
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