Tom Goodwin
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| Tom Goodwin | |
|---|---|
| Center fielder | |
| Batted: Left | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 1, 1991 for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |
| Final game | |
| September 30, 2004 for the Chicago Cubs | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .268 |
| Home runs | 24 |
| RBI | 284 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Thomas Jones Goodwin (born July 27, 1968 in Fresno, California) is a former Major League Baseball player. He attended Central Union High School in Fresno, and then went on to play for Fresno State University.
In 1986, the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Goodwin, who was an outfielder, in the 6th round (134th overall). He opted not to sign. In 1988, he was a member of the gold winning United States baseball team at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Because of this, he decided to wait until 1989 to sign with a team, which is when he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, after being drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall).
At 6'1", Goodwin was only 175 pounds, which gave him an advantage over his heavier teammates. He developed a forté in base stealing. He ended up spending only three seasons in the minors (all of which he stole over 45 bases) before making his Major League debut on September 1, 1991 at the age of 23.
Some of his major league career highlights include the 369 bases he stole over 14 years in the Major Leagues with the Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs, a career high 66 stolen bases with the Royals in 1996, and a .294 season with the Dodgers in 1993. Tom had a pretty impressive year when it came to home runs in 2000-not because he hit so many, but because of what kind of home runs they were. One of his six home runs occurred on April 5th-it was an inside-the-parker against the Braves. On April 30th against the Mets, he hit a grand slam, and on July 17th against the Athletics, he hit another grand slam.
His career statistics draw comparisons to those of Billy North, a former Oakland Athletic.
He last played major league baseball in 2004, but he played in the independent Atlantic League in 2005.
Contents |
[edit] Major Transactions
- July 25, 1997 – sent to Rangers from Royals for third baseman Dean Palmer.
- July 31, 2000 – sent to Dodgers from Rockies for outfielder Todd Hollandsworth and minor leaguers Kevin Gibbs and Randy Dorame.
[edit] Other information
- Some sources say that Goodwin was as light as 170 pounds, while others say he was as heavy as 195.
- On June 3, 2001, Goodwin hit safely 5 times.
- Goodwin batted left-handed, but threw right-handed.
- In 14 seasons, Goodwin wore 6 uniform numbers – 47 from 1991-1994, 42 from 1995-part of 1997, 24 from part of 1997-part of 2000, and part of 2003-2004, 28 from part of 2000-2001, 8 in 2002, and 5 in part of 2003.
- Goodwin is number 86 on the all-time career stolen base list.
- Goodwin is number 56 on the all-time career caught stealing list.
- "...(Mark Grudzielanek) teamed with Tom Goodwin on April 5 (2002) vs. Arizona to hit the first back-to-back home runs by Dodgers leading off a game in franchise history..."-MLB.com
- While at Fresno, Goodwin played baseball, basketball and football.
- Goodwin was a two-time all-America selection at Fresno State University and he was also named to The Sporting News' college all-America team in 1989.
- His mother was the first African American teacher in Fresno.
- Goodwin's first home run as a Chicago Cub was a game winner on May 22, 2003.
- Goodwin recorded his 1000th career hit off of Mike Gallo on August 20, 2003 (vs. Houston Astros).
- Goodwin was enjoying an All-Star start in 2000, until a June 22nd visit to Cincinnati, where he felt the wrath of several DOX reps in CF. Ironically, this inspired the Tommy Goodwin fan club, still existing today, headquartered in Orlando, FL.
- Goodwin currently resides in Grapevine, Texas.
- Eric Karros had been a teammate of Goodwin for seven seasons, longer than any other teammate.
[edit] Honors and Awards
- In 1989, he was a member of Baseball America's Short Season All-Star Team and a member of the Pioneer League All-Star Team.
- In 1990, he was a member of the Texas League All-Star Team.
