Lance Parrish
Lance Parrish was the finest all-around catcher in the American League in the early and mid-1980s. He set a league mark for home runs in a season by a catcher, and in the 1982 All-Star Game he established a record when he gunned down three National League speedsters on the base paths. He had tremendous power, but poor strike-zone judgment. He was a slow runner and hit into many double plays, but was a near-perfect physical specimen due to his weight-lifting regimen.
Played For
Detroit Tigers (1977-1986)
Philadelphia Phillies (1987-1988)
California Angels (1989-1992)
Seattle Mariners (1992)
Cleveland Indians (1993)
Pittsburgh Pirates (1994)
Toronto Blue Jays (1995)
All-Time Rankings
Lance Parrish ranks #21 among the Top 50 all-time at C. Rankings ⇒
Best Season: 1982
Though he missed a few weeks with injuries, Parrish blasted 32 home runs - a new AL record for a catcher. Parrish posted a career-high .529 slugging mark and batted .284 - well above his career average. He made the All-Star team and established himself as the finest defensive catcher in the AL.
Factoids
Lance Parrish once served as Tina Turner's bodyguard.
The Tigers vs. Rickey
Parrish was behind the plate on April 28, 1991, for the Angels, when Rickey Henderson stole his 938th base, tying Lou Brock for the all-time mark. In 1982, Parrish was at home with his wife awaiting the birth of their first child when Henerson stole his 117th base, coming within one of Brock's single-season record. When he tried to steal third to tie the record, Henderson was thrown out by Bill Fahey, Parrish's replacement. Prior to the steal attempts, Oakland's Fred Stanley had been picked off second, setting up the opportunity for Henderson to set the mark at home. Tiger manager Sparky Anderson was incensed at Stanley's move. "All honor has left this game if Stanley isn't fined the highest figure ever. If he isn't, there is no commissioner of baseball," Sparky said. "He's discredited this game and he is totally unforgivable. I don't even want to hear what he has to say."
Not Helping Reggie
In an article written for Sports Illustrated in September of 2006, Tom Verduci related an incident involving Lance Parrish and Reggie Jackson:
[Jackson] was in the midst of such a horrific strikeout streak that he pleaded to Detroit Tigers catcher Lance Parrish, "Tell me what's coming, and I promise I'll take a turn right back into the dugout no matter where I hit it. I just want to look like a pro a little bit." (Parrish replied, "F--- you"; Jackson, to his immense satisfaction, grounded out.)
Double-Threat Catchers
These catchers won both a Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Award in the same season:
1981 --- Gary Carter
1982 --- Gary Carter
1983 -- Lance Parrish
1984 -- Lance Parrish
1990 --- Benito Santiago
1994 --- Ivan Rodriguez
1995 --- Ivan Rodriguez
1996 --- Ivan Rodriguez
1997 --- Ivan Rodriguez
1998 --- Ivan Rodriguez
1999 --- Ivan Rodriguez
The Silver Slugger has been awarded in each league since 1980.
Where He Played
Catcher: Parrish's 1,818 games behind the plate ranked sixth at the time of his retirement in 1995, and ranked seventh entering the 2005 season.
Born
Lance Michael Parrish was born on June 15, 1956, in Clairton, PA.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Primary Position: C
Primary Team: DET
Major League Debut
September 5, 1977 ... Parrish played his first big league game four days before double play duo Alan Trammell and Lou Whitaker debuted.
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1977
Eddie Murray
Lou Whitaker
Alan Trammell
Jack Morris
Lance Parrish
Dale Berra
Bump Wills
Rick Honeycutt
Willie Hernandez
Nicknames
Big Wheel
Similar Players
Gary Carter
Related Players
Bill Freehan, Jack Morris, Yogi Berra, Carlton Fisk, Gary Carter, Rickey Henderson, Alan Trammell
| Hall of Fame Voting |
| Year |
Election |
Votes |
Pct |
| 2001 |
BBWAA |
9 |
1.7% |
|
Post-Season Appearances
1984 American League Championship Series
1984 World Series
Awards and Honors
1983 AL Gold Glove
1984 AL Gold Glove
1985 AL Gold Glove
Feats
On September 28, 1982, Parrish hit his 31st home run in a 9-6 win over the Orioles, breaking the American League single-season record for catchers that he had shared with Yogi Berra and Gus Triandos. Since then, the record has been eclipsed by Carlton Fisk and others.
Transactions
Parrish was not signed as a free agent in the off-season of 1986 because Detroit (and several other clubs, it turned out later) were refusing to spend big money on the open market. He was let go to the Phillies in a move that was very unpopular with Tiger fans. The failure to stay in Detroit hurt both the Tigers and Parrish in the long run. Parrish struggled in Philadelphia, never really adapting to National League ball. The Tigers filled his spot with Matt Nokes for a few years but never regained the consistent leadership and power from the catcher spot until Mickey Tettleton arrived in 1991. Had Parrish stayed in Detroit he may have finished his career as a Tiger and hit far more home runs in friendly Tiger Stadium, ultimately helping his Hall of Fame chances. Instead, he will likely remain on the outside and watch Gary Carter enter the Hall of Fame - a contemporary with similar skills.
All-Star Selections
1980 AL
1982 AL
1983 AL
1984 AL
1985 AL
1986 AL
1988 NL
1990 AL
Replaced
Milt May, a popular veteran receiver, who the Tigers sold to the White Sox early in 1979.
Replaced By
In Detroit, Parrish was replaced by Matt Nookes, who posted great numbers in 1987 (32 homers, .536 SLG). Parrish played the last four years of his career as a part-time catcher. His last starting job was with the Angels in 1991. After a slow start in 1992, the Angels replaced Parrish with Mike Fitzgerald and Ron Tingley.
Best Strength as a Player
Power
Largest Weakness as a Player
Strike-zone judgment.
Learn More about Lance Parrish
Search Amazon.com for Books about Lance Parrish ⇒
Search for Lance Parrish at Google ⇒
View a map of his hometown at Mapquest ⇒
