Tony Phillips
For eight years in Oakland, Tony Phillips was a utility player who occasionally received extended playing time due to an injury to a starter. Originally a middle infielder, Phillips quickly got other gloves and learned how to play the hot corner and the outfield. His patience at the plate even prompted managers to use him at designated hitter later in his career. After signing as a free agent with the Tigers, Phillips was used every day by Sparky Anderson, though often shuttling between positions. To his credit, Phillips thrived in that role with Detroit, posting his best seasons. In 1992 and 1993 with the Tigers, the switch-hitter scored 100 runs and walked 100 times each season, batting a career-high .313 the latter year. He ended up with exactly 1,300 runs scored, more than 1,300 walks and 2,000 hits - a remarkable accomplishment for a player labeled as a utlity player early in his career.
Played For
Oakland Athletics (1982-1989)
Detroit Tigers (1990-1994)
California Angels (1995)
Chicago White Sox (1996-1997)
Anaheim Angels (1997)
Toronto Blue Jays (1998)
New York Mets (1998)
Oakland Athletics (1999)
Best Season: 1993
The switch-hitting leadoff man batted .311 against RHP, .316 against LHP, .309 in Tiger Stadium, .316 on the road, .328 during the day, and .305 at night. He posted a .443 OBP, and had a mark above .400 in every month of the season. Amazingly, he was this consistent, despite splitting his playing time between left field (70 games), second base (51), and right field (34).
Description
Phillips was short but muscular and always in great shape. He possessed a competitive nature, which often displayed itself in arguments with home plate umpires over balls-and-strikes calls. he probably argued balls-and-strikes as much as any player during his era.
Where He Played
Second base (777), left field (566), third base (428), shortstop (294), right field (169), DH (101)
Born
Keith Anthony Phillips was born on April 25, 1959, in Atlanta, GA.
Batted: Both
Threw: Right
Primary Position: 2B
Primary Team: OAK
College: New Mexico Military Institute
Major League Debut
May 10, 1982
Nine Other Players Who Debuted in 1982
Tony Gwynn
Wade Boggs
Julio Franco
Willie McGee
Tony Phillips
Don Mattingly
Frank Viola
Doug Jones
Kevin Bass
Nicknames
Tony the Tiger
Detroit broadcaster Ernie Harwell gave Phillips the nickname.
Similar Players
Jimmy Dykes
Post-Season Appearances
1988 American League Championship Series
1988 World Series
1989 American League Championship Series
1989 World Series
Post-Season Notes
Hit his only post-season homer in the game after the 12-day layoff for the earthquake in the 1989 World Series. He hit it off Scott Garrelts of the Giants... Phillips batted just .217 with fiur runs scored in 13 post-season games, all with the A's. He struck out 12 times and walked four times.
Batting Feats
Notes
For his career, Phillips was better from the right-side of the plate, batting .283/.410/.402. He was .260/.377/.363 from the left-side.
Transactions
June 7, 1977: Drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 16th round of the 1977 amateur draft, but did not sign.
January 10, 1978: Drafted by the Montreal Expos in the 1st round (10th pick) of the 1978 amateur draft (Secondary Phase). Player signed March 10, 1978.
August 31, 1980: Traded by the Montreal Expos with cash to the San Diego Padres for Willie Montanez.
March 27, 1981: Traded by the San Diego Padres with Eric Mustad (minors) and Kevin Bell to the Oakland Athletics for Bob Lacey and Roy Moretti (minors).
December 21, 1987: Released by the Oakland Athletics.
March 9, 1988: Signed as a Free Agent with the Oakland Athletics.
November 13, 1989: Granted Free Agency.
December 5, 1989: Signed as a Free Agent with the Detroit Tigers.
April 13, 1995: Traded by the Detroit Tigers to the California Angels for Chad Curtis.
October 31, 1995: Granted Free Agency.
January 20, 1996: Signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago White Sox.
May 18, 1997: Traded by the Chicago White Sox with Chad Kreuter to the Anaheim Angels for Chuck McElroy and Jorge Fabregas.
April 1, 1998: Released by the Anaheim Angels.
July 1, 1998: Signed as a Free Agent with the Toronto Blue Jays.
July 31, 1998: Traded by the Toronto Blue Jays to the New York Mets for Leo Estrella.
October 28, 1998: Granted Free Agency.
December 14, 1998: Signed as a Free Agent with the Oakland Athletics.
November 2, 1999: Granted Free Agency.
Best Strength as a Player
Batting eye and versatility.
Largest Weakness as a Player
Throwing arm, and also his basestealing. Because he often batted leadoff, Phillips seemed to have thought he wa sa good basestealer. He was thrown out 40% of the time he tried to swipe a base.
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