Don Buford
From BR Bullpen
Donald Alvin Buford
- Bats Both, Throws Right
- Height 5' 8", Weight 165 lb.
- School Los Angeles City College, University of Southern California
- Debut September 14, 1963
- Final Game October 3, 1972
- Born February 2, 1937 in Linden, TX USA
After playing for legendary coach Rod Dedeaux at the University of Southern California, Don Buford was signed by the Chicago White Sox, who converted him from the outfield to an infielder. After being named the International League MVP while playing for the Indianapolis Indians in 1963, he earned a late season callup to the White Sox. He saw considerable playing time for the Sox at second base over the next two seasons before being moved to third by manager Eddie Stanky in 1966. He swiped 51 bases that year, but his average dropped to .244. After one more season with a declining batting average, he was traded to the Baltimore Orioles as part of a deal that brought Luis Aparicio back to the Sox.
The Orioles moved Buford back to the outfield, and he responded at the plate as well, scoring 99 runs in three straight years from 1969 to 1971. In the 1969 World Series, facing Tom Seaver, he became the first player ever to lead off Game One of a postseason series with a home run. The only other player to do this in a World Series was Dustin Pedroia of the Boston Red Sox against Jeff Francis in 2007.
During his big league career, Buford grounded into only 33 double plays in 4,553 career at-bats.
From 1973 to 1976, Buford played for the Nankai Hawks in Japan. After his playing career, he was a San Francisco Giants coach from 1981 to 1984 and a member of the Baltimore Orioles staff in 1994. He was also a Washington Nationals coach in 2005. Additionally, he managed the 1992 Hagerstown Suns, 1993 Bowie Baysox, 2003 Bluefield Orioles, 2004 Aberdeen IronBirds, and 2006 Daytona Cubs. In 2008 he was elected to the International League Hall of Fame.
Buford is the father of big leaguer Damon Buford and minor leaguer Don Buford, Jr.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1963 Minor League Player of the Year, Indianapolis Indians, International League
- 1963 MVP International League, Indianapolis Indians
- AL All-Star (1971)
- AL Runs Scored Leader (1971)
- AL Singles Leader (1965)
- 50 Stolen Bases Seasons: 1 (1966)
- Won a World Series with the Baltimore Orioles in 1970
[edit] Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1992 | Hagerstown Suns | Eastern League | 59-80 | 7th | Baltimore Orioles | |
| 1993 | Bowie Baysox | Eastern League | 72-68 | 3rd | Baltimore Orioles | Lost in 1st round |
| 2003 | Bluefield Orioles | Appalachian League | 23-40 | 9th | Baltimore Orioles | |
| 2004 | Aberdeen IronBirds | New York-Penn League | 35-40 | 8th | Baltimore Orioles | |
| 2006 | Daytona Cubs | Florida State League | 71-66 | 5th | Chicago Cubs |
