Dave Winfield
| Birthdate | 10/3/1951 |
| Death Date | |
| Debut Year | 1973 |
| Year of Induction | 2001 |
| Teams | Angels, Blue Jays, Indians, Padres, Twins, Yankees |
| Positions | Designated Hitter, Right Field |
Dave Winfield was drafted by the MLB San Diego Padres, the NBA Atlanta Hawks, the ABA Utah Stars, and the NFL Minnesota Vikings.
In the collection:
1987 contract to appear on Sports Illustrated posters
1987 contract to appear on Sports Illustrated posters
Many fans had Sports Illustrated posters as youngsters. Here Dave Winfield signed a contract to have his likeness appear on those posters. Dated 2/14/87 this contract has Winfield’s signature at the bottom.
One of the most gifted athletes in baseball history, Winfield was drafted fourth overall by the Padres and also by teams in four other leagues – the NLF, ABA, NBA. An All Star for 12 straight years from 1977-1988, Winfield tallied 3,110 hits and 465 homers over the course of his 22-year career.
Rusty Meacham writes about Dave Winfield's final MLB at bat
Rusty Meacham writes about Dave Winfield's final MLB at bat
Rusty Meacham played eight professional seasons, parts of six in the big leagues. When asked to reflect on his most memorable moment in the Major Leagues, Meacham wrote about facing Dave Winfield.
“My most memorable moments in baseball are two. The first is facing Dave Winfield in his final at bat as a big leaguer, in Jacob’s Field Cleveland. He grounded to second and never played again…”
Imagine what a figure Winfield must’ve been for Meacham to choose that moment. The pitcher didn’t select his big league debut, first win, or other personal achievements. Instead he thought of facing a Hall of Famer and member of the 3,000-hit and 400-homer clubs.
Lineup card featuring Dave Winfield who recorded his 3,106th of his 3,110 career hits
Lineup card featuring Dave Winfield who recorded his 3,106th of his 3,110 career hits
Here’s a Dave Winfield story rarely heard. Near the end of his career in 1994 Winfield was traded from the Twins to the Indians for a player to be named later. Because of the strike that year he did not play that season for the Indians and no player was named in exchange. To settle the trade the Cleveland executives treated Minnesota front office men to an extravagant dinner. The trade is officially listed as a trade for cash but Winfield might be the only player in baseball history traded for a dinner tab.
In the collection is this lineup card from his lone season with the Indians. Signed by Cleveland skipper Mike Hargrove, the card has Winfield hitting 8th as the team’s designated hitter. Winfield went 1-for-3 with a single and walk. That base hit was the 3,106th of his career. The Hall of Fame would tally just five more safeties before retiring from the game.
