Ken Phelps
From BR Bullpen
Kenneth Allen Phelps
- Bats Left, Throws Left
- Height 6' 1", Weight 209 lb.
- School Mesa Community College, Arizona State University
- Debut September 20, 1980
- Final Game September 8, 1990
- Born August 6, 1954 in Seattle, WA USA
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[edit] Biographical Information
Ken Phelps' name became synonymous with a certain type of overlooked player when Bill James made him the focus of a recurring feature in his Baseball Abstracts in the mid-1980s. The idea of the Ken Phelps All-Stars was to bring to light players who had been successful in the minor leagues but had never been given the chance to prove their mettle in the majors (at that time, Phelps had finally established himself with the Seattle Mariners after years of minor league stardom). Every year, James would identify a full team of players who could help a team if only given some playing time. The antithesis of the Ken Phelps type was teammate Henry Cotto, a flashy player who would always be given playing time in spite of never showing an ability to contribute anything of value to his team's offense. Phelps had long been a favorite of James, dating back to his days as a slugging first baseman in the Kansas City Royals farm system in the late 1970s.
Phelps' value as a player came both from his remarkable home run power, and his ability to draw walks, even though he was slow and an indifferent fielder. By 1988, his contribution was well-enough regarded that the New York Yankees traded top prospect Jay Buhner to acquire Phelps, a trade later rued by Yankee fans, and which became the subject of a famous joke on the sitcom Seinfeld.
Phelps was a radio broadcaster for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2004.
[edit] Quote
"My baseball people kept saying Ken Phelps, Ken Phelps" Steinbrenner to Mr. Costanza - Seinfeld
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1982 MVP American Association Wichita Aeros
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 4 (1984 & 1986-1988)
- Won a World Series with the Oakland Athletics in 1989
