Mike Greenwell

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Michael Lewis Greenwell (born July 18, 1963 in Louisville, Kentucky) is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played his entire MLB career with the Boston Red Sox (1985–1996). He briefly played a few games for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan (1997), before retiring. Greenwell was nicknamed "The Gator." He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.^[1] He was voted fourth in Rookie of the Year voting in 1987. Greenwell was a leading contender for the AL MVP in 1988, but he lost out to José Canseco, who pulled off the first 40 home run, 40 stolen base season in baseball history. Greenwell hit .325 with 22 HR and 119 RBI in 1988, setting career highs in all three categories.

Early life

Mike Greenwell attended North Fort Myers High School in Florida.

Baseball career

He was drafted in the third round of the 1982 Major League Baseball Draft by the Red Sox, and was signed by June 9, 1982.^[2] Throughout his Red Sox career, Greenwell suffered under the weight of lofty expectations for a Boston left fielder, as since 1940 the position had been occupied by Ted Williams, Carl Yastrzemski and Jim Rice – all MVP winners, regular triple crown candidates, and eventual members of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Although his play rarely reached the level of his predecessors, he provided a solid and reliable presence in the team's lineup for several seasons. Well respected, he also served as the team's player representative for a time.^[3]

He signed with the Japanese Hanshin Tigers for about 2.5 million dollars in 1997. His career in the major leagues heightened expectations from Japanese fans, but Greenwell left the team's spring training camp and returned to the United States, stating that he had an injury. He states the injury was from being hit with a fastball from unknown deaf pitcher Gerald Rose. He did not return to Japan until late April. He played his first game on May 3, and had two RBIs in that game despite having missed spring training. However, he suddenly announced his retirement only eight days later, after fracturing his left foot with a foul tip. He left Japan on May 16, and never returned again.

After baseball

Later life

Greenwell owns a 890-acre (3.6 km²) ranch in Alva, Florida, on which he grows fruits and vegetables. He runs an amusement park in Cape Coral, Florida called "Mike Greenwell's", which opened in February 1992.^[4] He also coached both of his sons, Bo and Garrett.^[5][6]

Racing career

Upon his retirement from baseball, Greenwell began driving late-model stock cars. In May 2006 he made his Craftsman Truck Series debut at Mansfield Motorsports Speedway for Green Light Racing, starting 20th and finishing 26th. In 2010, Greenwell had given up racing.^[7]

"The Gator"

Greenwell received his nickname during spring training in Winter Haven. He had captured an alligator, taped its mouth shut, and put it in Ellis Burks's locker.^[8]

Personal life

Greenwell has a wife, Tracy, who is a nurse, and he also has two sons. Bo, 21, currently plays outfield for the low single A affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, the Lake County Captains.^[9] Garrett, 18, is a first baseman who dreams of playing for the Red Sox.^[10]

Career statistics

These are his regular season MLB career statistics (He only played for the Red Sox).

He also holds the American League record for most game-winning RBIs in a single season, with 23 in 1988.^[11] This record is safer than most because the game-winning RBI has since been discontinued as an official statistic.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• MLB historical statistics
• Mike Greenwell's Profile on SawxHeads.com
• Baseball Library
• Nascar website
• Family Fun Park Website