Fred Whitfield
From BR Bullpen
Fred Dwight Whitfield
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 1", Weight 190 lb.
[edit] Biographical Information
"The good Lord gave me the ability to hit. That's all I can do. Otherwise I'd be plantin' crops back home in Alabama." - Fred Whitfield, quoted in the May 2, 1966 issue of Sports Illustrated, where he was named Player of the Week
Fred Whitfield played nine seasons in the major leagues, having the most success with the Cleveland Indians, for whom he hit 20+ home runs three times. In 1965 he was fifth in the American League in both home runs and RBI.
Whitfield played solely first base in the majors when in the field, and also did some pinch-hitting.
Fred, who was signed by the St. Louis Cardinals in 1956, came up to the majors in 1962. The regular first baseman for the Cardinals was Bill White, who was in the middle of his string of Gold Gloves.
Whitfield was traded after the 1962 season to Cleveland, and spent five years there, getting at least 257 at-bats each year. After the 1967 season he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds where he backed up Lee May at first base and served as pinch-hitter. He finished his major league career playing in four games for the 1970 Montreal Expos.
During his major league days he liked to play guitar.
