Fred McGriff
A one-dimensional player, first baseman Fred McGriff utilized that one-dimension very well in a 19-year career. The popular slugger with the powerful left-handed swing and sweeping one-handed uppercut follow-through, hit 493 homers for six teams, with 10 more to his credit in the post-season. He was the first player to belt at least 30 homers with four (and later five) teams.
Played For
Toronto Blue Jays (1986-1990)
San Diego Padres (1991-1993)
Atlanta Braves (1993-1997)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (1998-2001)
Chicago Cubs (2001-2002)
Los Angeles Dodgers (2003)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004)
All-Time Rankings
Fred McGriff ranks #37 among the Top 50 all-time at 1B. Rankings ⇒
Factoids
First baseman Fred McGriff hit 30 homers for a recod five teams: the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Devil Rays, and Cubs.
Where He Played
mcGriff played 2,239 games at first base, and 175 at designated hitter.
Born
Frederick Stanley McGriff was born on October 31, 1963, in Tampa, FL.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Primary Position: 1B
Primary Team: TBA
Major League Debut
May 17, 1986
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1986
Rafael Palmeiro
Barry Bonds
Fred McGriff
Barry Larkin
Bobby Bonilla
Ruben Sierra
Mark McGwire
Greg Maddux
David Cone
Nicknames
Crime Dog
Post-Season Appearances
1989 American League Championship Series
1993 National League Championship Series
1995 World Series
1995 National League Divisional Series
1995 National League Championship Series
1996 National League Championship Series
1996 National League Divisional Series
1996 World Series
1997 National League Championship Series
1997 National League Divisional Series
Awards and Honors
1994 ML AS MVP
Milestones
- June 2, 2000: 400th HR... Off Glendon Rusch at Shea Stadium
Transactions
June 8, 1981: Drafted by the New York Yankees in the 9th round of the 1981 amateur draft.
December 9, 1982: Traded by the New York Yankees with Dave Collins, Mike Morgan, and cash to the Toronto Blue Jays for Dale Murray and Tom Dodd.
December 5, 1990: Traded by the Toronto Blue Jays with Tony Fernandez to the San Diego Padres for Joe Carter and Roberto Alomar.
July 18, 1993: Traded by the San Diego Padres to the Atlanta Braves for Melvin Nieves, Donnie Elliott, and Vince Moore (minors).
November 6, 1995: Granted Free Agency.
December 2, 1995: Signed as a Free Agent with the Atlanta Braves.
November 18, 1997: Purchased by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays from the Atlanta Braves.
July 27, 2001: Traded by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later and Manuel Aybar. The Chicago Cubs sent Jason Smith (August 6, 2001) to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays to complete the trade.
November 1, 2002: Granted Free Agency.
December 31, 2002: Signed as a Free Agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
October 29, 2003: Granted Free Agency.
March 23, 2004: Signed as a Free Agent with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
July 28, 2004: Released by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
All-Star Selections
1992 NL
1994 NL
1995 NL
1996 NL
2000 AL
Replaced
With the Blue Jays in 1987, McGriff was the primary DH, replacing Cliff Johnson. The following season he slipped into the first base slot, replacing Willie Upshaw.
Replaced By
His last regular job was as the Dodgers' first baseman in 2003. In 2004, LA replaced him with Shawn Green. He opened the 2004 season as the Devil Rays' DH, but soon lost that job to the platoon of Aubrey Huff, Robert Fick, et al.
Best Strength as a Player
He was a great fastball hitter.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Range at first base, and running speed.
Learn More about Fred McGriff
Search Amazon.com for Books about Fred McGriff ⇒
Search for Fred McGriff at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
