Mike Champion
From BR Bullpen
Robert Michael Champion
- Bats Right, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 185 lb.
- High School Foothill High School (Santa Ana)
- Debut September 14, 1976
- Final Game September 24, 1978
- Born February 10, 1955 in Montgomery, AL USA
[edit] Biographical Information
"It's rare for a team to bring up two kids together and have it work out. The only kids I can remember (as shortstop - second baseman) are Bill Almon and Mike Champion." - Alan Trammell in the March 1992 Baseball Digest, reminiscing about how Almon/Champion were somewhat similar to Trammell/Whitaker
Mike Champion, who played three years in the majors, was the regular second baseman for the San Diego Padres in 1977. Mike and Tucker Ashford, both 22, were the youngest regulars on the team. They were three years younger than teammate Dave Winfield. Other teammates included Dave Kingman, Bobby Valentine and Rollie Fingers.
Champion was born in Montgomery, AL and attended high school in Santa Ana, CA. He was a second-round draft pick in the 1973 amateur draft. He came up to for his major league debut in September of 1976.
Mike played seven seasons in the minors, most notably hitting .328 in Triple-A ball in 1978. He was only 25 during his last minor league season in 1980.
Champion and Bill Almon had formed a double play combo with the AAA Hawaii Islanders in 1976 before doing so at the major league level. In 1978, Mike's last year at the major league level, Almon was moved off shortstop by a young rookie named Ozzie Smith. Both Mike and Ozzie were 23 at the time.
