Fred McGriff (2023)


Date of Birth: 10/31/1963
Birthplace: Tampa, Florida

Fred McGriff played baseball in high school, but he didn't make the team until his junior year.

McGriff was drafted by the New York Yankees and he signed with them on June 11, 1981. He played in the minor leagues in 1981 and 1982. He never played with the Yankees.

Toronto Blue Jays

McGriff was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on December 9, 1982. He played in the minor leagues from 1983 through most of 1986. He joined the Blue Jays for just three games in 1986.

McGriff played in 107 games with Toronto in 1987. He finished the season with 73 hits, 20 home runs, 43 RBIs, and a .247 batting average. The following season, he batted .282 in 154 games. He had 151 hits, 35 doubles, 34 home runs, and 82 RBIs in 1988.

McGriff won his first Silver Slugger award in 1989. That year, he led the AL in home runs and OPS, and he had career highs in games played and walks. He had 148 hits, 27 doubles, 36 home runs, 92 RBIs, 132 strikeouts to 119 walks, .269 batting average, and .924 OPS in 161 games. He played in the postseason in 1989, and he had 3 hits in 21 at-bats in 5 games.

McGriff had another good season in 1990, batting .300 with 167 hits, 21 doubles, 35 home runs, and 88 RBIs in 153 games.

San Diego Padres

McGriff was traded to the San Diego Padres on December 5, 1990. Although his batting average dropped to .278 in 1991, he still had a good season, with 147 hits, 19 doubles, 31 home runs, and 106 RBIs in 153 games. He walked 105 times, but he also struck out 135 times.

McGriff won his second Silver Slugger award in 1992, and he led the NL in home runs with 35. He finished the season with 152 hits, 30 doubles, 104 RBIs, and a .286 batting average in 152 games.

Atlanta Braves

McGriff was traded to the Atlanta Braves on July 18, 1993. He won his third Silver Slugger award and he had a career high 37 home runs that season. He also had 162 hits, 29 doubles, and 101 RBIs in 83 games with the Padres and 68 games with the Braves. In the postseason, he had 10 hits, 4 RBIs, and a .435 batting average in 23 at-bats in 6 games.

The 1994 season was another good one for McGriff. He won the All-Star game MVP award and he had a career high .318 batting average. In 113 games, he had 135 hits, 25 doubles, 34 home runs. and 94 RBIs. The next year, he led the NL in games played with 144. He finished the 1995 season with 148 hits, 27 doubles, 27 home runs, 93 RBIs, and a .280 batting average. In the postseason that year, he had 19 hits, including 6 doubles and 4 home runs, and 9 RBIs in 57 at-bats in 14 games.

McGriff continued to play well in 1996, finishing the season with career highs in hits, doubles, and RBIs. He had 182 hits, 37 doubles, 28 home runs, 107 RBIs, and a .295 batting average in 159 games. In the postseason, he had 15 hits, including 5 home runs, and 16 RBIs in 57 at-bats in 16 games.

In 1997, McGriff batted .277 with 156 hits, 25 doubles, 22 home runs, and 97 RBIs in 152 games. He had 9 hits in 30 at-bats in 9 games in the postseason.

Tampa Bay Rays

The Tampa Bay Rays purchased McGriff's contract on November 18, 1997. He batted .284 in 1998, and he had 160 hits, 33 doubles, 19 home runs, and 81 RBIs in 151 games. He played slightly better in 1999, finishing that season with 164 hits, 30 doubles, 32 home runs, 104 RBIs, and a .310 batting average in 144 games.

In 2000, his last full season with the Rays, McGriff batted .277 in 158 games. He had 157 hits, 18 doubles, 27 home runs, and 106 RBIs.

Chicago Cubs

The Rays traded McGriff to the Chicago Cubs on July 27, 2001. He finished the season with 157 hits, 25 doubles, 31 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a .306 batting average in 97 games with the Rays and 49 games with the Cubs.

McGriff batted .273 in 146 games in 2002. He had 27 doubles, 30 home runs and 103 RBIs.

Los Angeles Dodgers

McGriff became a free agent on November 1, 2002. He signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers on December 31st. He played in just 86 games in 2003, and he had 74 hits and a .249 batting average.

Return to the Tampa Bay Rays

McGriff became a free agent again on October 29, 2003. He returned to the Rays on March 23, 2004. After just 27 games that year, he was released on July 28th.

Awards and MLB Records

  • All-Star game MVP
  • Silver Slugger award (3 times)
  • Led AL in home runs in 1989
  • Led AL in OPS in 1989
  • Led NL in home runs in 1992
  • Led NL in games played in 1995

Career Statistics

Career batting statistics for McGriff include:

  • 2,460 games played
  • 2,490 hits
  • 441 doubles
  • 493 home runs
  • 1,550 RBIs
  • 1,882 strikeouts to 1,305 walks
  • .284 batting average
  • .377 on-base percentage
  • .886 OPS

Career fielding statistics for McGriff at first base include:

  • 2,239 games played
  • 1,447l assists
  • 1,775 double plays
  • 18,985 putouts
  • 167 errors
  • .992 fielding percentage

Career postseason statistics for McGriff include:

  • 50 games played
  • 188 at-bats
  • 57 hits
  • 11 doubles
  • 10 home runs
  • 37 RBIs
  • 40 strikeouts to 27 walks
  • .303 batting average
  • .385 on-base percentage
  • .917 OPS

Post Playing Career

McGriff was a special adviser with the Rays from 2007 through 2010. In 2015, he was a special assistant to baseball operations with the Braves.

Sources for Information
Wikipedia - Fred McGriff
Baseball Reference - Fred McGriff

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