Carl Yastrzemski
From BR Bullpen
Carl Michael Yastrzemski (Yaz)
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 5' 11", Weight 182 lb.
- School University of Notre Dame
- Debut April 11, 1961
- Final Game October 2, 1983
- Born August 22, 1939 in Southampton, NY USA
Inducted into Hall of Fame in 1989
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[edit] Biographical Information
"Anything less would not have been worthy of me. Anything more would not have been possible." - Carl Yastrzemski's Hall of Fame Induction Speech. July 23, 1989.
Carl Yastrzemski (often known as "Yaz") had one of the longest careers in major league history, appearing in 3308 games, all for the Boston Red Sox. In fact, he holds the record for most years with the same team, 23, tied with Brooks Robinson. He is second on the all-time list for games played, and third on the all-time list for at-bats. He was named to the All-Star team 18 times. A top hitter who led the league in numerous categories including on-base percentage five times, he also won seven Gold Gloves and was considered an excellent fielder. He appeared in two World Series, hitting .352.
He won the 1967 American League Triple Crown; not only that, he was at his best down the stretch, when he carried the Red Sox to a miracle pennant in an epic four-team race that was not decided until the season's last day. He won the league's MVP Award that year. He is the last batter to win a Triple Crown, a feat that has since become much more difficult due to the greater number of regular players in each league as a result of expansion. However, many fans remember him just as much for leading the American League in 1968 with a .301 batting average. It was the bottom of the second dead-ball era, and he was the only player in the league who hit .300. After those years of early dominance, he settled into being a good, but not exceptional player for more than a decade, finally retiring after the 1983 season. He was still Boston's best-known player in those years, but Fred Lynn, Jim Rice and Dwight Evans were the team's most dangerous offensive weapons.
Originally a left-fielder - he replaced the great Ted Williams at the position when Williams retired after the 1960 season -, he was known for his ability to play Fenway Park's Green Monster and cut off opposite baserunners on the basepaths. He player more often at first base and DH in the latter part of his career. He had a highly distinctive batting stance that had him holding the bat vertically above shoulder height as the pitcher began his wind-up; it is jokingly said that he ruined thousands of New England boys' hitting prospects as they tried to imitate their hero's highly-unorthodox stance. It worked for him, though: he holds the record for most career hits without ever collecting 200 hits in a single season.
Carl's parents were Carl Yastrzemski Sr. (Yaz and his father did not share the same middle name) and Hattie Skonieczny. He is the father of Carl Michael Yastrzemski, Jr., and the grandfather of Michael A. Yastrzemski.
His first Baseball Card appearance was in the 1960 Topps set. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame on January 9, 1989 by the Baseball Writers Association of America.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1959 MVP Carolina League Raleigh Capitals
- 18-time AL All-Star (1963, 1965-1979, 1982 & 1983)
- AL MVP (1967)
- AL Triple Crown (1967)
- 1970 All-Star Game MVP
- 7-time AL Gold Glove Winner (1963, 1965, 1967-1969, 1971 & 1977)
- 3-time AL Batting Average Leader (1963, 1967 & 1968)
- 5-time AL On-Base Percentage Leader (1963, 1965, 1967, 1968 & 1970)
- 3-time AL Slugging Percentage Leader (1965, 1967 & 1970)
- 4-time AL OPS Leader (1965, 1967, 1968 & 1970)
- 3-time AL Runs Scored Leader (1967, 1970 & 1974)
- 2-time AL Hits Leader (1963 & 1967)
- 2-time AL Total Bases Leader (1967 & 1970)
- 3-time AL Doubles Leader (1963, 1965 & 1966)
- AL Home Runs Leader (1967)
- AL RBI Leader (1967)
- 2-time AL Bases on Balls Leader (1963 & 1968)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 8 (1965, 1967-1970, 1976, 1977 & 1979)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1967, 1969 & 1970)
- 40-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1967, 1969 & 1970)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 5 (1967, 1969, 1970, 1976 & 1977)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 2 (1967 & 1970)
- Baseball Hall of Fame: Class of 1989
| AL MVP | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1966 | 1967 | 1968 |
| Frank Robinson | Carl Yastrzemski | Denny McLain |
[edit] Records Held
- At bats, left handed batter, career, 11988
- Grounded into double plays, left handed batter, career, 323
- Outs, left handed batter, career, 9134
- Plate appearances, left handed batter, career, 13991
- Seasons, one team, 23 (tied)
- Lowest batting average, league leader, .301, 1968
[edit] Related Sites
- His official site and biography can be found here.
