Intro

One of the finest defensive third baseman to ever play the position, Nettles was part of four pennant-winning Yankee teams. In 1976 he led the American League in home runs and he was a good offensive player despite his low .248 career batting average. On September 14, 1974 he and brother Jim became just the fourth set of brothers to homer in the same game.

Best Season

Career highs in homers (37) and RBI (107). Nettles hit .255 with a career high .496 slugging percentage. He also scored 99 runs and won his first Gold Glove.

Factoid 1

When he was named captain of the Yankees in 1980, Graig Nettles followed Lou Gehrig and Thurman Munson in that role.

Transition

Nettles tell-all book Balls did as much to hasten his exit from New York as anything. In the book he is critical of Yankees owner George Steinbrenner as well as former teammates and managers.

Strengths

Playing third base and ability to pull the ball.

Weaknesses

He was a streaky hitter who could go into some serious slumps at times.