Name this Player-Almost a Yankee

[Mattingly23NY]

What player had his Team negotiating in 79 , (and was supposed) to be traded to the Yankees in exchange for Chris Chambliss, Juan Beníquez, Dámaso García, and Dave Righetti??????????


Here are several clues: He-

Was an AL- ROY.

Was on the cover of Time Magazine with subtitle: Baseballs Best Hitter

Won a batting title with zero home runs. The only AL and modern era batting champion with 0 HR’s.

Was one of 5 players in baseball history to be Rookie of the Year, Most Valuable Player, have 3,000 hits, and be voted into the Hall of Fame.

Won his fourth consecutive AL batting title. He joined Ty Cobb as the only players to lead the major leagues in batting average for three consecutive seasons. Prior to Tony Gywnn and Wade Boggs, who later joined the same elite club.

Hit for an average of .344 in the 70s decade.

Was in 18 consecutive All Star Games.

Had 7 steals of Home Base 7 times in one season, tying (one short of Ty Cobbs record of 8 HP steals).

Cheat all you want, you get season tickets if you don't though!!! J/K...!! (I can't afford anything much more than Minor League Games, let alone Yankee Season Tickets, so you'll get a soda instead).

 

[totus44]

18 time all star was the give away. Either Yaz or Carew, and Yaz wasn't ever going to not his a HR in the little league ballpark.

Carew for Chambliss, what would that have done to Mattingly's career?

 

[yankeesince59]

...stealing of home so many times screams Carew...but I think I remember reading something about Yaz also coming close to being a Yankee when he was first recruited.

 

[Rick2583]

...stealing of home so many times screams Carew...but I think I remember reading something about Yaz also coming close to being a Yankee when he was first recruited.

Carew was the one that immediately came to mind.

 

[Mattingly23NY]

Yes, good going guys. It was indeed Rod Carew.

What would of happened to Mattingly, had the Carew trade of been finalized? He would of perhaps been traded. Tho' Carew never won a Gold Glove (say WTF?). In 6 of his 19 total years played, Rod's fielding percentage was either 4th or 5th best at 2nd base, and later at 1st base, (1st base fldg. pctg. of .994-.995). Mattingly's fldg. pctg. was better than Carew's overall at 1st base, as you all know-9 Gold Gloves in 10 years.

Would Carew of been moved to DH allowing Donnie BB to play defensively at 1st?? We will never know the answer to this one.

So, you all can go to the 'Call Waiting Ticket Window' and pick up your Yankee Season Tickets, just mention my name. (only Rick knows it) and you will get those FREE Tickets. If they don't give them to you, head over to your local 7-11 and you can get free Icee's for the rest of the year. Just tell them I sent you; as my Nephew is now Regional Manager of New England, incl. all of NY, of course. He can pay for it, no problem. Wait, I got to call him first, and let him know he needs to install a few more machines, to accommodate the sudden increasing demand.