Ellis Valentine
From BR Bullpen
Ellis Clarence Valentine
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 4", Weight 207 lb.
- High School: Crenshaw High School
- Debut September 3, 1975
- Final Game October 2, 1985
- Born July 30, 1954 in Helena, AR USA
Contents |
[edit] Biographical Information
"They say that I can't throw like Ellis Valentine or run like Tim Raines or hit with power like Mike Schmidt. Who can? - Pete Rose, using Ellis Valentine as his example of the best arm in the National League.
Ellis Valentine played ten seasons in the majors, appearing in the 1977 All-Star Game and winning a Gold Glove in 1978. A good hitter in his days with the Montreal Expos, his best year was in 1980 when he posted a line of .315/.367/.524. He also slugged over .500 in 1977.
As a young player, he was part of the vaunted Expos outfield that included Andre Dawson and Warren Cromartie, with all three of them being around the same age.
He is one of seven major leaguers (through 2007) with the last name Valentine.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- NL All-Star (1977)
- NL Gold Glove Winner (1978)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 3 (1977-1979)
[edit] Further Reading
- Danny Gallagher: "Valentine was a five-tool specimen", in Remembering the Montreal Expos, Scoop Press, Toronto, ON, 2005, pp. 75-84.
