Dwight Evans
From BR Bullpen
Dwight Michael Evans (Dewey)
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 2", Weight 205 lb.
- Debut September 16, 1972
- Final Game October 6, 1991
- Born November 3, 1951 in Santa Monica, CA USA
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
Dwight Evans was one of the finest defensive right fielders of his time, winning eight Gold Glove Awards (1976,1978-79 & 1981-85) despite playing in Fenway Park, one the toughest right fields in the majors. Also, his throwing arm was among the best in baseball during his prime. Evans played for 20 seasons, and became a power hitter the second half of his career. He was known for hitting HRs from the leadoff spot, having a high OBP and for being a clutch hitter.
[edit] Career
Evans played 19 seasons for the Boston Red Sox and his last season with the Baltimore Orioles. He suffered a horrible beaning on August 28th, 1978 at the hands of Seattle's Mike Parrott. He batted in the Hriniak/Lau style, with a low, flat swing. He held the bat pointing nearly at the catcher, then whipped it through the strike zone. He was onsidered a great defensive right fielder during most of his peak with a very strong arm, although he was not a large, strong man like Jesse Barfield or Vladimir Guerrero. Evans played some first base and DH at the end of his career. Very patient at the plate, he would have been very successful as a modern Beane/Epstein type of player.
Dwight Evans played in the 1975 and 1986 World Series where he was a combined .300 hitter in all 14 of those games, hitting 3 HRS and driving in 14. During one of those series' games he made a twisting, turning, falling catch in Fenway Park that for many years got replayed as a highlight before other televised Red Sox games. He started the 1986 season with a leadoff home run off Jack Morris in Tiger Stadium, and he always came across as a classy, smart, and professional player.
[edit] Career analysis
Although Evans did not do well in the BBWAA voting for the Hall of Fame, his chances with the Veterans Committee may be better. Of the most similar players to Evans (based on the similarity scores method), three of the top six are in the Hall of Fame - Billy Williams, Tony Perez, and Al Kaline, and others in the top ten may get in eventually. Since Evans won 8 Gold Gloves, he has significant defensive credentials on top of his 385 home runs, 1384 RBI and 1470 runs scored. He also ranks 25th on the all-time list for walks, and has the 10th most career Home Runs hit by an American League right handed batter.
After his playing career ended, Evans was a member of the 1994 Colorado Rockies coaching staff. On December 11, 2001, he returned to the Red Sox as the major league hitting coach, and he spent the next season on the Red Sox staff. Evans currently serves as a player development consultant with the team.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1972 MVP International League Louisville Colonels
- 3-time All Star (1978, 1981 & 1987)
- 8-time AL Gold Glove Winner (1976, 1978, 1979 & 1981-1985)
- 2-time AL Silver Slugger Award Winner (1981 & 1987)
- AL On-Base Percentage Leader (1982)
- 2-time AL OPS Leader (1981 & 1984)
- AL Runs Scored Leader (1984)
- AL Total Bases Leader (1981)
- AL Home Run Leader (1981)
- 3-time AL Bases on Balls Leader (1981, 1985 & 1987)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 11 (1978, 1979 & 1981-1989)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1982, 1984 & 1987)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 4 (1984, 1987, 1988 & 1989)
- 100 Runs Scored Seasons: 4 (1982, 1984, 1985 & 1987)
