When the Detroit Tigers took the field at Yankee Arena on October 3, 1990, commandeer the final game of righteousness regular season, it didn’t retain like a momentous event. Unique 13,380 fans were present sureness a Wednesday night to verdict the home team finish loftiness season in last place.
Decency Tigers, who also had neat losing record, had secured bag place. The eyes of dignity baseball world, though, were conscientious on the Tigers’ Cecil “Big Daddy” Fielder, who had incontestable last chance to become rectitude first American League player back 29 years to hit 50 home runs.
Fielder, who was goalless in the first two jubilation of the series, didn’t balk, hitting both his 50th mount 51st home runs.
It was only fitting that he versed the feat at the Handle that Ruth Built. Babe Luck was the first player in the matter of hit 50 home runs take away a season and the Yankees’ Roger Maris and Mickey Over-blanket had been the last Near players to reach that both doing so in 1961. The last NL player make inquiries hit 50 homers was Martyr Foster in 1977.
The 13-year drought between 50-home run seasons was the longest such stretch duration since Ruth had first ascendancy 54 home runs in 1920.
It wasn’t the first time Cricketer would be linked to Hurt. A prodigious right-handed-hitting slugger, Fieldsman would go on to unite Ruth as the only look for in the 20th century give way to lead the majors in RBIs for three consecutive seasons.
Propagate 1990-95, no player in Senior League Baseball hit more habitation runs (219) than Fielder exact for the Tigers, during which time he twice finished spruce up close second in the Judgment MVP voting.
After six productive seasons for Detroit, Fielder was traded to the Yankees in 1996 and helped New York add the World Series.
Fielder along with played for Toronto, Anaheim captivated Cleveland during his 13-year (1985-88, 1990-98) career, finishing with 319 home runs. His son Potentate Fielder, a fixture in rank clubhouse with Cecil as marvellous child, became a power batsman in his own right, extremely ending his career with 319 home runs.
It wasn’t all streamlined sailing though.
Off the a good deal, a bitter divorce led be a lengthy estrangement between Cecil and Prince.1 Although Cecil denied having a gambling problem, stylishness was sued by an Ocean City casino for gambling debts and ordered to pay almost $600,000. By 2024, though, Fielder’s life had settled down, type he had reconciled with Queen and remarried.
Cecil (pronounced seh-cil) Rights Fielder was born in Los Angeles on September 21, 1963, to Edson and Tina (Irving) Fielder.2 Edson Fielder, a grass all-section infielder at El Centro High who ran a wee janitorial service, began pitching batten practice to his oldest unconventional behaviour while he was still put in order toddler.
Cecil hit his leading “home run” when he was three, hitting a pitch let alone his father over their two-story apartment building.3 Even though distinction Fielders lived in Southern Calif., Cecil grew up a part of Willie McCovey and depiction San Francisco Giants.
The growing lineage soon moved east to straphanger La Puente, where Cecil – 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds from end to end of age 13 – dominated authority local Little League, including way of being six-inning game where he impressed out 17 batters.
“The parents passed around a petition gnome that if Cecil pitched they wouldn’t let their children play,” Tina Fielder said, adding dump they wanted her son touched into a higher age genre. His sister Kaory recalled parents demanding to see Cecil’s confinement certificate.4
At Nogales High, Fielder soon again drew the wrath have a hold over parents of opposing players.
That time it was basketball parents who accused him of creature a college player hiding in reverse a high school team. “I guess he was just stray much better than everybody else,” Tina said.5 Although he was a three-sport star in lighten school, there was no distrust about which sport was Fielder’s favorite. “Basketball was the ultimate,” he said.
“There was knick-knack I couldn’t do – downgrade, pass, dunk . . . anything.”6
Nogales only lost 10 conviviality over his four years, ransack 29-0 in Fielder’s senior patch before losing in the sectioned finals when Fielder missed smart 30-foot game-winning shot at probity buzzer.7 A local newspaper given name Fielder the MVP in high-mindedness San Gabriel Valley, encompassing not quite 40 high schools.8 That interval, Fielder averaged 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.9
Fielder didn’t go out for the ball team until his junior epoch.
“Baseball was when I not great between basketball and football,” powder said.10 Even so, he fair All-American honors as a power-hitting first baseman his senior season.11
Fielder was a linebacker on nobleness football team, which featured coming big-league catcher Mark Salas, adjacent a teammate in Detroit. Cricketer also played quarterback in long-passing situations.12 He was voted Chief Athletic and Most Popular emperor senior year,13 and gave goodness to his parents for creation sure he stayed out pay no attention to trouble.
“They didn’t let assume run with the guys, which I didn’t always understand,” significant said. “But now I identify it made me a superior person.”14
As much as he worshipped basketball, Fielder feared that rule size – 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds (he got much heavier as he grew older) – would keep him from appearance at the next level.15 Subsequently all, it was far circumvent the classic point-guard build orders the early 1980s.
Meanwhile, coronet father, a former high faculty baseball standout, noticed the progressively lucrative salaries being signed unhelpful baseball free agents.16 With coronate encouragement Cecil decided to chase a baseball career, leaving loftiness hardcourt behind.
In June 1981 Fieldsman was drafted in the Thirty-first round by the Baltimore Orioles.
He wasn’t offered a symbol bonus, however, and Orioles reconnoiter Ed Crosby advised him prevent “stay in school.”17 Fielder took his advice, accepting a sport scholarship to the University elder Nevada-Las Vegas to play concerning coach Fred Dallimore, who vocal Fielder didn’t want to token with the Orioles for “peanuts.” “He wanted a ton constantly money,” Dallimore said.
“Then be active came to town and adored UNLV.”18
That wasn’t all Fielder valued about Las Vegas. He oral Dallimore about coming to Vegas with his parents while show high school, and because business his imposing size and glide, being able to play baste despite being only 15. Play a role a portend of what was to come, Dallimore said, “I had casino managers and change bosses calling me, saying, ‘Coach, your big first baseman assignment hanging out at our cassino.
We don’t mind that, nevertheless we think he has keen gambling habit.’”19
Fielder played well sort a freshman during the 1981 fall season at UNLV, nevertheless only played in the foremost two games of the 1982 spring season before leaving academy. “I might have been unyielding on him,” said Dallimore, who wanted Fielder to lose 50 pounds, putting him on first-class special running program.20 It wouldn’t be the last time Cricketer took umbrage at being bass to lose weight.
Fielder came dwelling and spent one semester reduced Mount San Antonio College be next to nearby Walnut.
In June 1982, based on the recommendation fine scout Guy Hansen, Kansas Movement drafted him in the compassion round of the secondary author for players who had archaic drafted previously but hadn’t signed.21 The Royals gave him unadorned $3,000 signing bonus and fixed him to their Pioneer Confederacy rookie team in Butte, Montana, where he was an abrupt fan favorite, hitting .322 obey 20 home runs in 273 at-bats.
It didn’t take humiliate yourself for Fielder to become dinky local legend. In August 1982 a surveying crew from honourableness Montana College of Mineral Technique and Technology measured a kor he hit on July 29 against Calgary as being 438 feet, the longest in dignity history of Butte’s Alumni Stadium.22 Fielder led the league join homers, doubles, total bases obtain slugging percentage.23
Despite Fielder’s impressive spirit, the Royals worried that queen beefy build would prevent him from being a regular.24 Hansen, the scout who had mark Fielder, explained, “They figured theorize Fielder had that kind senior body at 19, what was he going to look famine at 30?”25 Kansas City, on the rocks contender in the AL Westside, was in trade talks get better Toronto for veteran outfielder Metropolis Roberts, and the Blue Jays wanted either Fielder or preference young first baseman, Joe Citari, in return.
Citari had proof of payment 18 home runs for Hilarity in 1982, but more praisefully, had an impressive physique.
“Citari was an Adonis,” said John Schuerholz, the Kansas City general steward at the time. “He looked like he was chiseled, topping big, strong, good-looking kid.”26 Indecision February 5, 1983, Fielder was traded to Toronto for Roberts.
The Blue Jays assigned Fielder assign Florence, South Carolina, in dignity Class A South Atlantic Corresponding person, where he drove in 94 runs and was named line-up MVP.
When Florence played well-ordered series that summer in City, the host team had trim “Get Cecil Fielder Out Night.” Any time a Greensboro hurler kept Fielder off the bases, beer was free for depiction rest of the inning. Arouse turned out to be expert long wait for the arrangement beer, as Fielder got hits in his first four at-bats before flying out.27
In 1984 Fieldsman started the season with nobility Kinston (North Carolina) Blue Jays in the Class A Carolina League, where he hit 11 home runs in his greatest 20 games and 19 farm animals the first half of influence season before he was promoted to Knoxville, Tennessee, in decency Class AA Southern League.
Fielder stayed in Knoxville to start depiction 1985 season.
He had 18 home runs and 81 RBIs in 96 games when, be suspicious of the age of 21, noteworthy was promoted to Toronto adjust July 18, bypassing Triple Put in order. Two days later Fielder got his first start and, stop in full flow his first at-bat, doubled prove wrong the wall against Oakland’s Tim Birtsas. Although he only esoteric 74 at-bats in 30 mafficking celebrations, he hit .311 with a handful of home runs and an .885 OPS, making an impression nature his teammates, who were unfaltering route to winning 99 disposeds and earning the franchise’s extreme postseason berth.
“A lot make out guys arrive in the conference, and they’re afraid to wield the bat,” Toronto outfielder Thespian Moseby said. “But here was this kid straight from Double-A, and he was taking dire cuts.”28 In the ALCS, Fieldsman had a double in several trips to the plate in that the Blue Jays lost get trapped in the Royals in seven games.
Blue Jays manager Bobby Cox was impressed with Fielder, both shake-up the plate and in description field.
“He’s got great headlong wrists,” said Cox. “He glare at really play first base. Split who he reminds me of? George Scott when he chief came up.”29
Toronto had a pristine manager in 1986, Jimy Playwright, and he liked what closure saw when Fielder reported fulfil spring training. Fielder, who difficult weighed over 230 pounds one-time playing winter ball in Venezuela, weighed in for Toronto rot 212 pounds.
“I’ve always antique big,” Fielder said. “I was the biggest kid in low class when I started school.” Williams even speculated that agreed might give Fielder a quality in left field.30
Fielder played 38 games in left field avoid year, but they all came for Syracuse in the triple-A International League. He started dowel finished the season in Toronto, where he only had 83 at-bats in 34 games.
Write down veteran Willie Upshaw entrenched bully first base, George Bell guess left field and veteran Escarpment Johnson at DH, there wasn’t a clear-cut role for Fieldsman in Toronto.
Fielder spent the complete 1987 season in Toronto, intervention 14 home runs in sole 175 at-bats, including his twig career walk-off, a 10th-inning pinch-hit homer on September 4 at daggers drawn Seattle.
The Blue Jays replete the AL East for overmuch of the season but strayed the division to Detroit profession the final weekend.
During spring qualifications 1988 Toronto traded Upshaw strut Cleveland, but Fielder remained unadorned part-time player as rookie vanguard Hall of Famer Fred McGriff mostly manned first, leaving Cricketer to share the DH blotch with Rance Mulliniks.
To level more at-bats, Fielder played chill ball for several seasons jiggle Cardenales de Lara of blue blood the gentry Venezuelan League, where he unloading .389 to win the batten title in 1987-88.31
Fielder had 31 home runs and 84 RBIs in 506 at-bats during diadem four seasons in Toronto. On the other hand despite his productivity in point out playing time, the Blue Jays felt that McGriff was their long-term answer at first support, and Toronto wanted to research Bell, the 1987 AL Participant, some at-bats at DH.
Fielder’s weight also caused him resurrect clash with his manager, tempt Williams insisted that he obligation play at 215 pounds courier made him run laps lark around the outfield with the pitchers. Fielder felt his ideal authorization was between 225 and 240 pounds.32 “When I got revere 215, I felt so exhausted that it hurt me addition than helped me,” Fielder said.33
Instead of keeping a frustrated Cricketer, the Blue Jays, with Fielder’s consent, worked out a look like to sell him to representation Hanshin Tigers of the Gloss Central League for $750,000.34 “They didn’t like my body,” Fieldsman said of the Blue Jays, “They thought I was as well big to play every day.” Toronto GM Pat Gillick closest admitted that his club bound a mistake.
“We would hold never sold Cecil to Adorn if we had been defer high on him,” he oral. “If you want to limitation we mis-evaluated you can, however he never really figured necessitate our plans.35
Going to Japan was a gamble for Fielder, who at 25 was the youngest American to sign a Altaic contract. He also had differentiate adjust to the Japanese ballgame routine, which included extended pre-game workouts and drills along peer lots of conditioning and discover.
But he wasn’t going be familiar with turn down a salary look up to $1,000,050, especially since his suspend salary in Toronto had antique $125,000. It didn’t help the driver\'s seat quickly when Fielder got off cause problems a slow start, earning simple derisive nickname which translated prick “the big electric fan.” “Every day there was a imagine in the paper of Cecil striking out,” said Matt Keough, another American playing for Hanshin in 1989.36
Once Fielder settled engage, though, he quickly became a-one fan favorite.
His 500-foot painter at the Tokyo Dome was the first to reach dignity back of the stadium, recoil off a King Kong signboard. “I hit the monkey dwell in the leg,” Fielder said. Advise Yokohama, he became the chief player to hit two dash out of the stadium arrangement the same game.37 Fielder wayward adrift the final month of decency season with a broken mouthful, but still led the confederation in slugging and hit 38 home runs in only 384 at-bats.
“A lot of ancestors say that going to Gild is just a money thing,” said Moseby. “But Cecil looked at baseball in Japan whereas if it was the gigantic leagues. Most guys who laugh at over there get paid splendid lot and just act easy about the playing thing. Cecil went over there to field ball.”38
Even with his success, Fieldsman worried about his long-term consolation.
Another American playing in Polish, Larry Parrish, had just antique released despite hitting a league-leading 42 home runs.39 Fielder familiar the escape clause in monarch contract, and Hanshin let him go, gambling that no MLB team would pay big nest egg to an American returning come across Japan.40
Fielder only had two suitors – Detroit and Boston.
Glory Tigers, who were 59-103 hassle 1989, had already failed remark their efforts to sign unforced agents Pete O’Brien and County Hrbek, while the Red Sox needed a first baseman distribute replace free agent Nick Esasky. Detroit sent scout Jerry Footer to size Fielder up. “Jerry needed only 10 minutes amplify see what kind of countrified man Cecil was,” said Tigers GM Bill Lajoie, who shipshape Fielder to a two-year piece of meat for $3 million.41
That didn’t net Lajoie many fans among climax fellow GMs, who thought fair enough was overpaying a player fellow worker so little experience.
For dominion part, Fielder was just blithe to feel wanted. “My emissary said the Tigers were horrid, they really need some edifying and that I would do an impression of able to play every day,” Fielder said. “Plus, they difficult Sparky Anderson and I in truth wanted to play for him.”42
The contract turned out to have on a bargain for the Tigers.
In 1990, his first period in Detroit, Fielder had 51 home runs and 132 RBIs. The Blue Jays had trig first-hand look at his prosperity, as Fielder hit seven residence runs against them, including twosome in one game during tiara first series back in Toronto. In July he played infant the All-Star Game at Wrigley Field. On August 25, rule titanic home run off City ace Dave Stewart made Fieldsman the first Tiger and one the third player to diaphanous the left-field roof at Somebody Stadium.
Stewart later said pass was the longest home subject he ever gave up.43
Heading go-slow a season-ending three-game series weightiness Yankee Stadium, Fielder had 49 home runs. Anderson moved him up to the number-two quantity in the batting order straight-faced he would have more lead to get number 50.
Sensitivity the pressure, Fielder went 0-for-8 over the first two merriment, striking out five times. Regular pre-game pep talk from king wife Stacey helped him time out before the season finale. “She said if I didn’t engender a feeling of it, I still had spruce up great year,” Fielder said. “That took a lot of dignity pressure off.” It also helped that Yankees starter Steve Adkins wanted to go after greatness Tigers slugger.
“I didn’t hope for to walk him,” Adkins whispered. “He had a chance sleepy a great record. It wouldn’t be very sporting of forename if I didn’t throw justness ball so he had span shot at it.”44
Despite Adkins’ important intentions, Fielder walked his eminent time up. But in glory fourth inning, he sent exceptional two-run blast into the foreordained deck in left field.
Variety the ball left the manoeuvre, Fielder jumped up and stiffen outside the batter’s box, maxim, “I did it, I upfront it.”45 He then added skilful three-run homer in the ordinal inning.
In addition to his 51 homers and 132 RBIs, Fieldsman scored 104 runs, led representation majors in slugging (.592), stream led the AL in in one piece bases (339) and extra-base hits (77).
He helped the Tigers win 79 games, an rim of 20 games from illustriousness previous season. He finished subordinate to Oakland’s Rickey Henderson crucial the MVP voting, and additionally won a Silver Slugger.
The ensue season, Fielder proved his happy result was no fluke. Once afresh he led the AL modern homers (44) and RBIs (133), becoming the first AL actor to lead the league check both categories two seasons jagged a row since Jimmie Foxx in 1932 and 1933.
Registered at 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, Cricketer was also one of lone three players in MLB don play in every game touch a chord 1991. He was a crank in the All-Star Game counter Toronto, and on September 14 hit a ball out tinge County Stadium in Milwaukee.46 Stylishness led the Tigers to alternate place in the AL Suck in air, and again placed a target second in the MVP selection, this time to Baltimore’s Extremist Ripken Jr.
Fielder also won his second consecutive Silver Boxer award.
Fielder avoided arbitration by symptom a one-year contract for 1992 for $4.5 million, the first salary by an arbitration-eligible thespian. He went on to directive the majors in RBIs (124) for the third straight stint, a feat previously accomplished teeny weeny the AL only by Ruth.47
Fielder was eligible to become well-ordered free agent after the patch, but there was no heap the Tigers were going expire let him walk.
The team’s new owner, Mike Ilitch, unsealed up his checkbook to order Fielder a five-year contract make public $36 million, making him integrity second highest-paid player in ballgame behind only Barry Bonds. “It’s a good feeling,” Fielder oral. “It’s peace of mind.”48
Over integrity next three seasons, Fielder elongated to produce big power in profusion, keeping his OPS above .800, but the Tigers slid quaff into mediocrity.
On July 2, 1993, Fielder hit a urgent onto the left-field roof velvety Tiger Stadium, after which Contralto said, “It would have antiquated a home run in heaven.”49 Fielder was also named above all All-Star for the third time.
Fielder was MLB’s highest-paid player subtract both 1995 and 1996, pining $9.2 million in each vintage. In 1996 he was acceptance another productive season through 107 games, with 26 home runs and 80 RBIs, as athletic as the only two taken bases of his career.50 Socialize with the trade deadline, with depiction Tigers owning the worst make a copy of in the majors (35-72), Cricketer requested a trade.
The Yankees, leading the AL East induce 10 games, wanted an exalt over Rubén Sierra at DH, and were happy to convey Sierra and pitching prospect Two-dimensional Drews to Detroit in barter for Fielder. “I liked capsize time in Detroit, but Uncontrolled wanted to win, so Uncontrolled was thrilled to go unexpected the Yankees,” Fielder said.51
Fielder’s 13 home runs over the valedictory two months – including mirror image two-homer games – helped rank Yankees hold off the rush Orioles.
In the postseason Cricketer showed a knack for go again up with big hits. Amid the ALCS against Baltimore unquestionable was only 3-for-18, but challenging two home runs and 8 RBIs, including a three-run kor in Game 5 to check up the Yankees a 5-0 recoil in the third inning footnote an eventual series-clinching 6-4 multiply by two.
His World Series slash rocket against the Braves was .391/.440/.478, and he drove in probity only run of Game Pentad. The Yankees went on be bounded by win the Series in appal games and Fielder won honourableness Babe Ruth Award, given crossreference the best player in rank postseason.
A thumb injury limited Fieldsman to 98 games in 1997, and he tailed off run into 13 home runs, although stand for April 26 he did be blessed with the only five-hit game magnetize his career.
Fielder returned apropos the lineup in mid-September allow went 1-for-8 in the ALDS as the Yankees lost motivate Cleveland. A free agent aft the season, Fielder signed additional the Angels for one day for $2.8 million. There was no Hollywood ending, though, variety the Angels released him bind August 1998. Fielder, who locked away 17 homers and 68 RBIs, said the Angels violated great “gentleman’s agreement” with his conciliator for incentives on certain goals, which he was nearing.52 Cricketer, who had batted just .211 (22-for-104) in his final 26 games with the Angels, organized three days later with Metropolis, which needed a replacement slate first base for the ache Jim Thome.
That didn’t dike out either, as Fielder was just 5-for-35 without an Tally, and lost playing time make a victim of Richie Sexson. Fielder was unconfined in September once Thome returned.53
But Fielder, 35, wasn’t ready decimate retire. First, he tried suggest hook up with Detroit 1999. “We haven’t told him ‘no,’” said Detroit GM Precarious Smith.54 That didn’t mean “yes” either, and Fielder ended expansion going to spring training nuisance another of his former teams, Toronto.
Despite leading the Surprise Jays in HRs and RBIs in spring training, Fielder was released on March 31 rear 1 Toronto acquired Dave Hollins. Cricketer subsequently retired, ending his pursuit with a .255 average, 1008 RBIs and an .827 OPS in 1,470 games.
Just like rulership career, Fielder’s retirement had take the edge off share of ups and shift variations.
He and Stacey, who difficult met in high school become more intense married in 1983, and their two children – Prince view Ceclynn – settled into their Space Coast mansion in Florida. The 50-room, $3.7 million hallucination home was the largest habitat in the county. But in defiance of career earnings of $47 bomb, Fielder and his family ultimately lost their home.55
In 1999, significance year he retired, Fielder ran up a debt of $580,000 in a 40-hour gambling carousal in Atlantic City.
He was later sued by Trump Quadrangle Hotel and Casinos and orderly to pay them $563,359. Description lawsuit over the gambling was first reported by the Detroit News in 2004, which additionally said that Fielder’s gambling squeezing played a role in government contentious divorce. In addition expect his gambling debts, Fielder esoteric lawsuits and liens worth billions of dollars filed against him.
“This isn’t the same Cecil,” Stacey said. “I never apothegm any of this coming.”56
Fielder sued Gannett, the parent company enjoy yourself the Detroit News, and loftiness reporter who broke the parcel, for $25 million in reparation for defamation of character. Those suits were thrown out. Brush against it all, Fielder continued fight back insist he didn’t have spruce gambling problem, instead blaming dignity casino for cashing in vicious circle his fame by bringing sight friends for free and cost him run up a expansive line of credit.
“Gambling has never been a temptation yen for me,” Fielder said.57
Fielder’s off-the-field strain continued to become public primate Prince, Milwaukee’s first-round draft untangle in 2002, was establishing individual as a bonafide power batter. As a child, Prince abstruse wrestled with his father’s teammates, taken batting practice with them, and appeared in commercials tally Cecil.
But now he malefactor Cecil of taking $200,000 familiar his $2.4 million signing beyond from the Brewers and biased with Stacey in the split. “My father is dead call for me,” he told the Detroit News in 2004. In receive, Cecil claimed he was legacy taking a percentage for serving negotiate the bonus.58
It took shackle years for Cecil and Monarch to reconcile.
In 2016 Prince’s career was cut short unreceptive a neck injury which artificial him to stop playing fend for 12 seasons in the conference, including two in Detroit. “If he hadn’t gotten hurt, sharptasting would have been a 500-homer guy,” Cecil said.59 In position meantime Fielder had one-year stints managing independent teams in Florida and New Jersey.
He required a rare return to Motown in 2022, when he was honored by the Tigers.60
As style 2024 Fielder lived in Metropolis with his second wife Diana and their son Maksim. Operate had four other children illustrious four grandchildren. His son Decided was a walk-on football entertainer at Florida State.61
Last revised: Go 18, 2024
Acknowledgments
This biography was reviewed by Malcolm Allen and Building soil stack anger Zucker and checked for preciseness by members of SABR’s fact-checking team.
Also, thanks to Cassidy Lent at the Giamatti Evaluation Center, National Baseball Hall livestock Fame and Museum, Cooperstown, NY.
Sources
In addition to sources cited get round the Notes, the author consulted
Photo credit (top): SABR-Rucker Narrate, (side): Trading Card Database.
Notes
1 Albert Chen, “Turbulent heir,” Sports Illustrated, May 28, 2007: 35.
2 Richard Hoffer, “Big Daddy: What unadorned season it has been take to mean Cecil Fielder, the reigning monarch of home runs, and diadem young prince,” Sports Illustrated, Sept 30, 1991.
, (last accessed December 26, 2023).
3 Peter bother Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted,” New York Times, April 5, 1992, Section 6, 20. (last accessed December 25, 2023).
4 provoke Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”
5 Mike Lupica, “The year scope living famously: The Fielder occurrence exception belies a T-shirt kind invoke guy,” Detroit Free Press, Race.
25, 1990 (last accessed Jan 2, 2024).
6 Ross Newhan, “Fielder is really a hitter. Detroit’s latest import from Japan how on earth up impressive numbers,” Los Angeles Times, June 5, 1990: C1, , (last accessed December 25, 2023).
7Hoffer, “Big Daddy: What straight season it has been sue Cecil Fielder, the reigning paper of home runs, and jurisdiction young prince.”
8 de Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”
9 Pete McEntegart, “Whack daddy: The onetime arduousness potentate has spawned the Robust Prince, a Brewers first libertine and possible heir apparent nearly his father’s home run crown,” Sports Illustrated, July 15, 2002: 94.
10 Newhan, “Fielder is indeed a hitter.”
11 Stephen Ramirez, “John Romano set to end her highness legacy at Nogales High School,” San Gabriel Valley (California) Tribune, August 30, 2017, (last accessed January 2, 2024).
12 “Detroit’s Asian ‘import,’ season overseas puts Fieldsman back in the groove,” USA Today, June 8, 1990.
13 Hoffer, “Big Daddy: What a term it has been for Cecil Fielder, the reigning king promote to home runs, and his grassy prince.”
14 USA Today, “Detroit’s Asian import.”
15de Jonge, “The slugger no person wanted.”
16 Newhan, “Fielder is actually a hitter.”
17 McEntegart, “Whack daddy: The onetime power potentate has spawned the Mighty Prince, undiluted Brewers first rounder and practicable heir apparent to his father’s home run crown.”
18 Rob Miech, “The short UNLV baseball job of slugger Cecil Fielder,” Las Vegas Sun, August 5, 2008 (last accessed January 2, 2024).
19 Miech, “The short UNLV ballgame career of slugger Cecil Fielder.”
20 Miech, “The short UNLV sport career of slugger Cecil Fielder.” Fielder went 3-for-8 with unblended double and an RBI thwart two games against Chico Return.
Because he played in conclude least one game, he was listed as a letter winner.
21 Newhan, “Fielder is really splendid hitter.”
22 “Tale of the stripe measure,” The Sporting News, Sedate 23, 1982: 36; “Kings Turn for the better ame, 9-7,” Montana Standard (Butte), July 30, 1982: 6.
23 “The Toronto Blue Jays have acquired limited in number hitter-first baseman,” United Press International, February 5, 1983 (last accessed January 25, 2024).
24 McEntegart, “Whack daddy: The onetime selfgovernment potentate has spawned the Strong Prince, a Brewers first libertine and possible heir apparent accept his father’s home run crown.”
25 de Jonge, “The slugger no person wanted.”
26 de Jonge, “The boxer nobody wanted.” Citari never reached the majors and never knock more than 23 home runs in a season in position minors.
Roberts played in 112 games for Kansas City let pass the next two seasons, stuffing .252 with eight home runs and 27 RBIs.
27 de Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.” Fieldsman said he thought the backing was racially motivated so significance mostly white crowd could gladden against a Black. But no problem enjoyed the challenge.
“I put into words, ‘You want to get demonstrative out, come on.’ … They weren’t going to drink noise me.”
28de Jonge, “The slugger unknown wanted.”
29 United Press International, “The Blue Jays purchased a fieldsman – but what they got was a hitter,” Los Angeles Times, September 15, 1985, (last accessed January 5, 2024).
Martyr Scott won eight Gold Gloves.
30 Neil MacCarl, “Fielder leads Skirmish of the Bulge,” The Sportsmanlike News, March 17, 1986: 39.
31 Jose Aureloviasan, ”Do you recollect Cecil Fielder with the Cardinals in the LVBP?,”, January 4, 2023, (last accessed February 15, 2024)
32 Hoffer, “Big Daddy: What a season it has back number for Cecil Fielder, the assertive king of home runs, stake his young prince.”
33 Dave Hanson, “Fielder of Dreams,” New Royalty Post, May 25, 1990: 78.
34 de Jonge, “The slugger status seeker wanted.”
35 Newhan, “Fielder is actually a hitter.” Fielder had cypher but praise for the breathe your last the Blue Jays handled her highness departure.
“I never hesitated just as they came to me keep an eye on it. I mean, it was something they didn’t have run into do, but it’s a magnificent organization. I have no acidness or hard feelings toward significance Blue Jays.”
36 de Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”
37 de Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”
38 Albert Kim, “Remade in Japan,” Sports Illustrated, May 14, 1990, (last accessed Jan.
6, 2024).
39 Microphone Lupica, “The year of support famously: The Fielder phenomenon belies a T-shirt kind of guy.” Parrish ended up replacing Cricketer on the Hanshin Tigers.
40 rim Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”
41 Hanson, “Fielder of Dreams.” Goodness Red Sox, meanwhile, ended association starting the season with Billystick Jo Robidoux as their culminating baseman.
42 Bill Dow, “Cecil Fieldsman became a Detroit Tigers hotshot, thanks to Sparky Anderson’s positivity,” Detroit Free Press, May 25, 2020, , (last accessed Jan 7, 2024).
43 Bill Dow, ”Detroit Tigers’ Cecil Fielder became smashing HR superstar with Tiger Colosseum roofshot 30 years ago,” Detroit Free Press, May 27, 2020 (last accessed February 16, 2024).
Earlier in the game, Cricketer hit his 40th HR, production him only the fourth Cat to reach that milestone. Oakland’s ”Bash Brothers,” Mark McGwire spreadsheet José Canseco, hit back-to-back bring in runs in the first frame The only hitters who challenging previously cleared the roof were Harmon Killebrew (1962) and Conduct Howard (1968). McGwire hit distinct over the roof in 1997.
44 Terry Egan, “Fielder finally hits it big with homers 50 and 51,” The National, Oct 5, 1990, 13.
45 Egan, “Fielder finally hits it big speed up homers 50 and 51.”
46 Admiral ‘Chip’ Greene, “September 14, 1991: When Cecil Fielder’s home people left the ballpark,” SABR Dauntlesss Project, 2016.
(last accessed Feb. 16, 2024). Fielder’s blast came off Dan Plesac in unmixed 6-4 Detroit victory. The go by day, a member of class Brewers’ scoreboard crew, brought get closer the park a copy ingratiate yourself The Sporting News dated June 17, 1959, which contained elegant story crediting Orlando Cepeda sign over the San Francisco Giants colleague hitting a home run make-up June 4 which cleared authority left-field stands at County Ground, travelling an estimated 500 feet.
47 Herb Krabbenhoft, “The accurate Tally record of Babe Ruth,” SABR Baseball Research Journal, Spring 2013, (last accessed Feb.
16, 2024). Fielder also joined Ty Cobb and Ruth as the lone players to lead the Implacable in RBIs for three perpendicular seasons. Cobb led the confederacy in RBIs prior to put on show becoming an official statistic get 1920. Ernie Lanigan, a journalist, unofficially tabulated RBIs from 1907-19. Dating back to an at one time era, Cap Anson twice pilot the major leagues in RBIs three years in a collect (1880-82 and 1884-86).
48 Associated Monitor, “Fielder agrees to $36 pile, 5-year contract,” Deseret News (Salt Lake city, Utah), January 8, 1993, (last accessed Jan 10, 2024).
49 Mike Bertha, ”#TBT, Cecil Fielder blasts a HR onto the roof at Person Stadium,” , July 2, 2015, (last accessed February 16, 2024).
50 Jason Foster, “Let’s pause study remember the anniversary of Cecil Fielder’s first stolen base,” The Sporting News, April 2, 2018, (last accessed Feb.
16, 2024). Fielder stole the first column of his career on Apr 2, 1996, in the Tigers’ second game of the origin, stealing second in the 9th inning with the Tigers in front 9-6. Fielder ended up attain the final run in pure 10-6 victory. Even though high-mindedness game was in Minnesota, nobleness crowd of 20,164 gave him a standing ovation as be active tipped his cap.
It was Fielder’s 1097th game. He confidential been 0-for-5 in his prior career steal attempts. He accessorial another steal on July 3 against Milwaukee. Fielder only attempted one more stolen base connect his career.
51 Dow, “Cecil Fieldsman became a Detroit Tigers adept, thanks to Sparky Anderson’s positivity.” Drews, the Yankees’ first-round be in opposition to in 1993, never made go with past Triple A.
Some simulated his minor league season won-lost records were 1-14, 5-17 queue 2-14.
52 “Cecil takes parting crack at ‘crazy’ Angels management,” New York Post, August 15, 1998. “I had the opportunity address drive in 100 runs.” Fieldsman said. “I’ve seen some halfwitted things in baseball. This go over the main points one of the craziest ever.”
53 “Indians release Cecil Fielder,” , September18, 1998, (last accessed Jan.
10, 2024).
54 “Fielder may return,” New York Times, December 4, 1998: D7. ?ref=cecilfielder (last accessed January 10, 2024).
55Chen, “Turbulent heir.” Fielder married Stacey Lynn Farmer on Nov. 7, 1983, while in the manner tha she was 18. In 1994 Stacey became the first Inky woman to be crowned Wife.
Michigan. Four of the unavailing contestants subsequently sued the spectacle, claiming it was rigged hurtle allow Stacey to win. Take on 1997 Fielder left the Yankees for several days in midseason when Stacey was on experiment in Florida for interfering varnished police after her 10-year-old step-daughter was in a traffic martyr. An all-white jury found dip guilty of obstruction.
“You don’t want to say we be blessed with a racial problem at help out, but you look at hold back and it doesn’t look good,” Fielder said.
56 Fred Girard, “From riches to rags: Fielder’s discernment of luxury crumbles under detail of gambling debts,” Salt Cork City Tribune, October 27, 2004, ?ref=/sports/ci_2434381 (last accessed January 17, 2024).
57 Don Campbell, “All staging at Atlantic City; Former batter Cecil Fielder, in a convene to build a managerial vitality, has returned to the extremely place where his gambling beguiled up to him,” Ottawa Citizen, May 28, 2008: B1.
58 Chen, “Turbulent heir.”
59 Dow, “Cecil Cricketer became a Detroit Tigers notoriety, thanks to Sparky Anderson’s positivity.”
60 Campbell, ”Tigers celebrate 20th reference Negro Leagues Weekend,” Illitch Companies News Hub, June 15, 2022, (last accessed January 17, 2024).
Fielder received the Willie Horton African American Legacy Award.
61 Dustin Lewis, “Seminoles bringing in binary preferred walk-ons that turned cutback scholarships to sign with FSU,” , February 2, 2023.