Chris Speier
From BR Bullpen
Chris Edward Speier
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 182 lb.
- School University of California, Santa Barbara, Laney College
- High School Alameda High School
- Debut April 7, 1971
- Final Game October 1, 1989
- Born June 28, 1950 in Alameda, CA USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
The father of pitcher Justin Speier, shortstop Chris Speier played 19 years in the majors and as of 2008 is bench coach of the Cincinnati Reds.
Speier was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in 1970 and made his big league debut in 1971 after just one season in the minors. He became the Giants starting shortstop as a rookie and hit .357 against the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1971 NLCS. He had his best big league season the next year, hitting .269 with 15 homers and 71 RBIs, and was an All-Star each year from 1972 to 1974.
Early in the 1977 campaign, Speier was traded to the Montreal Expos for Tim Foli, and he was the Expos regular shortstop for the next seven years. He later played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins, and Chicago Cubs before ending his career back with the Giants.
After his playing career ended, Speier was a roving minor league instructor for the Giants from 1990 to 1994 and was hitting coach for the Orlando Cubs in the Cubs system in 1995. He joined the Arizona Diamondbacks organization the next year and spent four seasons managing in the minors. He went on to serve as a major league coach with the 2000 Milwaukee Brewers, the 2001 Diamondbacks, and the 2004 Oakland Athletics. In 2005 and 2006 Cubs, he was a member of the Cubs staff. Following the 2007 season, he joined the Reds as bench coach.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1971 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- 3-time NL All-Star (1972-1974)
[edit] Year-by-Year Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Lethbridge Black Diamonds | Pioneer League | 50-22 | 1st | Arizona Diamondbacks | Lost in 1st round |
| 1997 | High Desert Mavericks | California League | 83-57 | 1st | Arizona Diamondbacks | League Champs |
| 1998 | Tucson Sidewinders | Pacific Coast League | 57-85 | 14th | Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| 1999 | Tucson Sidewinders | Pacific Coast League | 66-76 | 13th | Arizona Diamondbacks |
