Steve Finley
After several seasons as a slap-hitting outfielder for the Orioles and Astros, Steve Finley exploded for 30 home runs in his second season as a Padre in 1996, helping the team to the post-season. His 30s proved to be the best part of his career, as he won five Gold Gloves and earned two All-Star selections. In 2001, he was a key member of the Diamondbacks' World Championship team. In 2006, he became one of the few players to hit 300 homers and steal 300 bases.
Played For
Baltimore Orioles (1989-1990)
Houston Astros (1991-1994)
San Diego Padres (1995-1998)
Arizona Diamondbacks (1999-2004)
Los Angeles Dodgers (2004)
Los Angeles Angels (2005)
Best Season: 2000
Finley scored 100 runs, slammed 35 homers, drove in 96, set a career-high with his .544 slugging percentage, and won the Gold Glove in center field. Other seasons that fall just short: 1992, 1996, and 2002.
Factoids
Twice in his career, Steve Finley belted walk-off grand slam homers: on April 10, 1998, for the Diamondbacks, and on October 2, 2004, for the Dodgers. The latter slam clinched the NL West title for the Dodgers.
Most Game-Ending Grand Slams
Alex Rodriguez... 3
Vern Stephens... 3
Cy Williams... 3
Bob Aspromonte... 2
Albert Belle... 2
Bobby Bonds... 2
Steve Finley... 2
Ruppert Jones... 2
Ralph Kiner... 2
Davey Lopes... 2
Mark McGwire... 2
Jim Presley... 2
Nomar Garciaparra... 2
David Eckstein... 2
Where He Played
A center fielder, and a damn good one, through 2005, Finley ranked fifth in games all-time at that position.
Born
Steven Allen Finley was born on March 12, 1965, in Paducah, KY.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: CF
Primary Team: ARI
College: Southern Illinois
Major League Debut
April 3, 1989
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1989
Steve Finley
Todd Zeile
John Olerud
Sammy Sosa
Omar Vizquel
Ken Griffey Jr.
Juan Gonzalez
Albert Belle
Jim Abbott
Related Players
In 2003, Finley became the oldest player to lead a league in triples, since Tommy Henrich (1948).
Post-Season Appearances
1996 National League Divisional Series
1998 National League Championship Series
1998 World Series
1998 National League Divisional Series
1999 National League Divisional Series
2001 World Series
2001 National League Divisional Series
2001 National League Championship Series
2002 National League Divisional Series
2004 National League Divisional Series
2005 American League Championship Series
2005 American League Divisional Series
Awards and Honors
1995 NL Gold Glove
1996 NL Gold Glove
1999 NL Gold Glove
2000 NL Gold Glove
2004 NL Gold Glove
Feats
On June 14, 2006, Finley became the sixth player to hit 300 homers and steal 300 bases, when he slugged a homer for the Giants.
Notes
Like many left-handed hitters with his skills, Finley struggled against southpaw pitching. Through 2005, he was .282/.460/.343 against RHP, and just .255/.395/.310 against lefties... A notoriously slow starter, Finley owned a career .235 average and a .404 SLG mark in April through 2005.
Hitting Streaks
21 games (1996)
15 games (2003)
Transactions
June 2, 1986: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 11th round of the 1986 amateur draft, but did not sign.
June 2, 1987: Drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 13th round of the 1987 amateur draft. Player signed June 4, 1987.
January 10, 1991: Traded by the Baltimore Orioles with Pete Harnisch and Curt Schilling to the Houston Astros for Glenn Davis.
Needlesss to say, this is one of the Orioles worst trades ever.
December 28, 1994: Traded by the Houston Astros with a player to be named later, Ken Caminiti, Andujar Cedeno, Roberto Petagine, and Brian Williams to the San Diego Padres for Derek Bell, Doug Brocail, Ricky Gutierrez, Pedro Martinez, Phil Plantier, and Craig Shipley. The Houston Astros sent Sean Fesh (minors) (May 1, 1995) to the San Diego Padres to complete the trade.
October 26, 1998: Granted Free Agency.
December 18, 1998: Signed as a Free Agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
October 29, 2002: Granted Free Agency.
December 7, 2002: Signed as a Free Agent with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
July 31, 2004: Traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks with Brent Mayne to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Koyie Hill, Bill Murphy (minors), and Reggie Abercrombie (minors).
October 28, 2004: Granted Free Agency.
December 11, 2004: Signed as a Free Agent with the Anaheim Angels.
December 21, 2005: Traded by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim to the San Francisco Giants for Edgardo Alfonzo.
Matchup Data
In 17 games against the D-Backs, Finley had five homers, with 19 RBI, a .300 average, and a .643 slugging percentage, through '05.
All-Star Selections
1997 NL
2000 NL
Best Strength as a Player
Defense in center field.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Hitting for average and getting on base.
Learn More about Steve Finley
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