Don Money
From BR Bullpen
Donald Wayne Money (Brooks)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
- High School La Plata High School
- Debut April 10, 1968
- Final Game September 17, 1983
- Born June 7, 1947 in Washington, DC USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Don Money hit the first ever home run at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia on April 10, 1971. Originally a shortstop, Money moved to third base when Larry Bowa emerged as the Phillies' shortstop. With young Mike Schmidt on the horizon, Money was dealt to the Milwaukee Brewers in a blockbuster deal that saw Ken Brett, Jim Lonborg, and Ken Sanders come to Philadelphia on October 31, 1972. Money went on to spend 11 seasons in Milwaukee and was a four-time All-Star. His versatility showed as he regularly played first, second, and third base for the Brewers and occasionally even shortstop. He hit .261 against righthanded pitching and .262 against lefthanders in his career.
Money was planning to retire after the 1983 season and work on his farm in New Jersey. The Kintetsu Buffaloes offered him a 2-year contract for $900,000 so Money decided to keep playing. He hit .260/.408/.520 with 8 homers in 29 games as a 2B/DH for the Buffaloes, but his family was unhappy with life in Japan and his daughter did not like her school. Additionally Money was critical of the team's stadium and the apartment he was given, feeling he had been promised a home in a green setting with trees. Instead he had a cockroach-filled ramshackle apartment. Fans felt that Money could have spent some of his large paycheck to help alleviate these problems and the team offered him a new apartment, a chauffeur and a raise. Money walked away from the club anyways, one of three Americans to desert their team that year (the others were Jim Tracy and Rich Duran). The players were widely criticized for their greed and lack of fortitude and diligence.
Money currently manages the Huntsville Stars of the Southern League.
Source: "You Gotta Have Wa" by Robert Whiting
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1967 MVP Carolina League Raleigh Pirates
- 1969 Topps All-Star Rookie Team
- 4-time AL All-Star (1974 & 1976-1978)
- AL At Bats Leader (1974)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 1 (1977)
[edit] Records Held
- Fielding percentage, third baseman, season, .989, 1974
[edit] Year-By-Year Minor League Managerial Record
| Year | Team | League | Record | Finish | Organization | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | Beloit Snappers | Midwest League | 64-75 | 12th | Milwaukee Brewers | |
| 1999 | Beloit Snappers | Midwest League | 59-80 | 14th | Milwaukee Brewers | |
| 2000 | Beloit Snappers | Midwest League | 71-64 | 5th | Milwaukee Brewers | Lost League Finals |
| 2001 | Beloit Snappers | Midwest League | 67-71 | 7th | Milwaukee Brewers | Lost in 1st round |
| 2002 | Beloit Snappers | Midwest League | 57-82 | 12th | Milwaukee Brewers | |
| 2003 | Beloit Snappers | Midwest League | 75-61 | 2nd | Milwaukee Brewers | Lost League Finals |
| 2004 | Beloit Snappers | Midwest League | 72-68 | 7th (t) | Milwaukee Brewers | |
| 2005 | Huntsville Stars | Southern League | 60-79 | 8th | Milwaukee Brewers | |
| 2006 | Huntsville Stars | Southern League | 67-71 | 6th | Milwaukee Brewers | Lost League Finals |
| 2007 | Huntsville Stars | Southern League | 75-62 | 3rd | Milwaukee Brewers | Lost League Finals |
| 2008 | Huntsville Stars | Southern League | Milwaukee Brewers |
