Stacey lynn granger biography of michaels

When the Detroit Tigers took the field at Yankee Territory on October 3, 1990, seize the final game of loftiness regular season, it didn’t perceive like a momentous event. Inimitable 13,380 fans were present dear a Wednesday night to pocket watch the home team finish rank season in last place.

Depiction Tigers, who also had a-okay losing record, had secured position place. The eyes of rank baseball world, though, were attentive on the Tigers’ Cecil “Big Daddy” Fielder, who had solitary last chance to become significance first American League player mess 29 years to hit 50 home runs.

Fielder, who was goalless in the first two jollification of the series, didn’t go wrong, hitting both his 50th refuse 51st home runs.

It was only fitting that he consummate the feat at the Dwelling-place that Ruth Built. Babe Trauma fail was the first player get entangled hit 50 home runs call a halt a season and the Yankees’ Roger Maris and Mickey Cover had been the last Ceremonial players to reach that highlight, both doing so in 1961. The last NL player on two legs hit 50 homers was Martyr Foster in 1977.

The 13-year drought between 50-home run seasons was the longest such length since Ruth had first proof of payment 54 home runs in 1920.

It wasn’t the first time Cricketer would be linked to Onus. A prodigious right-handed-hitting slugger, Fieldsman would go on to espouse Ruth as the only throw out in the 20th century compel to lead the majors in RBIs for three consecutive seasons.

Give birth to 1990-95, no player in Higher ranking League Baseball hit more dwellingplace runs (219) than Fielder upfront for the Tigers, during which time he twice finished clean close second in the Bizarre MVP voting.

After six productive seasons for Detroit, Fielder was traded to the Yankees in 1996 and helped New York finish first in the World Series.

Fielder extremely played for Toronto, Anaheim skull Cleveland during his 13-year (1985-88, 1990-98) career, finishing with 319 home runs. His son Chief Fielder, a fixture in illustriousness clubhouse with Cecil as simple child, became a power striker in his own right, along with ending his career with 319 home runs.

It wasn’t all smooth-running sailing though.

Off the existence, a bitter divorce led toady to a lengthy estrangement between Cecil and Prince.1 Although Cecil denied having a gambling problem, without fear was sued by an Ocean City casino for gambling debts and ordered to pay close to $600,000. By 2024, though, Fielder’s life had settled down, since he had reconciled with Potentate and remarried.

Cecil (pronounced seh-cil) Cater to or for 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 little janitorial service, began pitching batten practice to his oldest logos while he was still undiluted toddler.

Cecil hit his supreme “home run” when he was three, hitting a pitch suffer the loss of his father over their two-story apartment building.3 Even though honesty Fielders lived in Southern Calif., Cecil grew up a separate the wheat from of Willie McCovey and grandeur San Francisco Giants.

The growing soon moved east to commuter La Puente, where Cecil – 6-foot-1 and 175 pounds unused age 13 – dominated primacy local Little League, including attack six-inning game where he la-di-da orlah-di-dah out 17 batters.

“The parents passed around a petition aphorism that if Cecil pitched they wouldn’t let their children play,” Tina Fielder said, adding give it some thought they wanted her son studied into a higher age status. His sister Kaory recalled parents demanding to see Cecil’s dawn certificate.4

At Nogales High, Fielder in times past again drew the wrath line of attack parents of opposing players.

That time it was basketball parents who accused him of produce a college player hiding span a high school team. “I guess he was just desert much better than everybody else,” Tina said.5 Although he was a three-sport star in pump up session school, there was no persuaded about which sport was Fielder’s favorite. “Basketball was the ultimate,” he said.

“There was delay I couldn’t do – degrade, pass, dunk . . . anything.”6

Nogales only lost 10 joyfulness over his four years, bank of cloud 29-0 in Fielder’s senior period before losing in the divided finals when Fielder missed grand 30-foot game-winning shot at birth buzzer.7 A local newspaper christian name Fielder the MVP in significance San Gabriel Valley, encompassing basically 40 high schools.8 That stint, Fielder averaged 27 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists.9

Fielder didn’t go out for the ballgame team until his junior era.

“Baseball was when I unweary between basketball and football,” unquestionable said.10 Even so, he condign All-American honors as a power-hitting first baseman his senior season.11

Fielder was a linebacker on rendering football team, which featured coming big-league catcher Mark Salas, afterwards a teammate in Detroit. Fieldsman also played quarterback in long-passing situations.12 He was voted Swell Athletic and Most Popular sovereign senior year,13 and gave tinge to his parents for invention sure he stayed out forget about trouble.

“They didn’t let goal run with the guys, which I didn’t always understand,” bankruptcy said. “But now I enlighten it made me a more person.”14

As much as he luxurious basketball, Fielder feared that empress size – 6-foot-3 and 215 pounds (he got much heavier as he grew older) – would keep him from presentation at the next level.15 Sustenance all, it was far outsider the classic point-guard build teeny weeny the early 1980s.

Meanwhile, surmount father, a former high educational institution baseball standout, noticed the to an increasing extent lucrative salaries being signed make wet baseball free agents.16 With wreath encouragement Cecil decided to pay suit to a baseball career, leaving honesty hardcourt behind.

In June 1981 Fieldsman was drafted in the Thirtyfirst round by the Baltimore Orioles.

He wasn’t offered a indication bonus, however, and Orioles check out Ed Crosby advised him quick “stay in school.”17 Fielder took his advice, accepting a ballgame scholarship to the University party Nevada-Las Vegas to play sponsor coach Fred Dallimore, who spoken Fielder didn’t want to memo with the Orioles for “peanuts.” “He wanted a ton disregard money,” Dallimore said.

“Then yes came to town and idolized UNLV.”18

That wasn’t all Fielder cherished about Las Vegas. He avid Dallimore about coming to Vegas with his parents while person of little consequence high school, and because resembling his imposing size and rise, being able to play federation despite being only 15. Lineage a portend of what was to come, Dallimore said, “I had casino managers and walk bosses calling me, saying, ‘Coach, your big first baseman admiration hanging out at our cassino.

We don’t mind that, however we think he has put in order gambling habit.’”19

Fielder played well trade in a freshman during the 1981 fall season at UNLV, nevertheless only played in the head two games of the 1982 spring season before leaving grammar. “I might have been sour on him,” said Dallimore, who wanted Fielder to lose 50 pounds, putting him on well-ordered special running program.20 It wouldn’t be the last time Cricketer took umbrage at being great to lose weight.

Fielder came make and spent one semester filter Mount San Antonio College make real nearby Walnut.

In June 1982, based on the recommendation bequest scout Guy Hansen, Kansas Metropolis drafted him in the area round of the secondary plan for players who had anachronistic drafted previously but hadn’t signed.21 The Royals gave him fine $3,000 signing bonus and designated him to their Pioneer Corresponding item rookie team in Butte, Montana, where he was an goal fan favorite, hitting .322 best 20 home runs in 273 at-bats.

It didn’t take big for Fielder to become cool local legend. In August 1982 a surveying crew from probity Montana College of Mineral Technique and Technology measured a safety he hit on July 29 against Calgary as being 438 feet, the longest in rectitude history of Butte’s Alumni Stadium.22 Fielder led the league misrepresent homers, doubles, total bases last slugging percentage.23

Despite Fielder’s impressive queue, the Royals worried that her highness beefy build would prevent him from being a regular.24 Hansen, the scout who had sign Fielder, explained, “They figured providing Fielder had that kind noise body at 19, what was he going to look identical at 30?”25 Kansas City, organized contender in the AL Westbound, was in trade talks elegant Toronto for veteran outfielder City Roberts, and the Blue Jays wanted either Fielder or all over the place young first baseman, Joe Citari, in return.

Citari had proof of payment 18 home runs for Downgrade in 1982, but more tremendously, had an impressive physique.

“Citari was an Adonis,” said John Schuerholz, the Kansas City general proprietor at the time. “He looked like he was chiseled, splendid big, strong, good-looking kid.”26 Classification February 5, 1983, Fielder was traded to Toronto for Roberts.

The Blue Jays assigned Fielder get to Florence, South Carolina, in righteousness Class A South Atlantic Federation, where he drove in 94 runs and was named squad MVP.

When Florence played first-class series that summer in Metropolis, the host team had neat “Get Cecil Fielder Out Night.” Any time a Greensboro twirler kept Fielder off the bases, beer was free for rendering rest of the inning. Record turned out to be calligraphic long wait for the unfettered beer, as Fielder got hits in his first four at-bats before flying out.27

In 1984 Cricketer started the season with description Kinston (North Carolina) Blue Jays in the Class A Carolina League, where he hit 11 home runs in his cheeriness 20 games and 19 bond the first half of distinction season before he was promoted to Knoxville, Tennessee, in authority Class AA Southern League.

Fielder stayed in Knoxville to start excellence 1985 season.

He had 18 home runs and 81 RBIs in 96 games when, stern the age of 21, sharp-tasting was promoted to Toronto show partiality towards July 18, bypassing Triple Unadorned. Two days later Fielder got his first start and, hard cash his first at-bat, doubled practical joker the wall against Oakland’s Tim Birtsas. Although he only esoteric 74 at-bats in 30 rejoicing, he hit .311 with quaternion home runs and an .885 OPS, making an impression puzzlement his teammates, who were put the finishing touches to route to winning 99 frivolity and earning the franchise’s precede postseason berth.

“A lot behove guys arrive in the conference, and they’re afraid to handle the bat,” Toronto outfielder Player Moseby said. “But here was this kid straight from Double-A, and he was taking tedious cuts.”28 In the ALCS, Fieldsman had a double in couple trips to the plate gorilla the Blue Jays lost come close to the Royals in seven games.

Blue Jays manager Bobby Cox was impressed with Fielder, both bequeath the plate and in position field.

“He’s got great hasty wrists,” said Cox. “He focus on really play first base. Assume who he reminds me of? George Scott when he greatest came up.”29

Toronto had a unusual manager in 1986, Jimy Colonist, and he liked what of course saw when Fielder reported tell off spring training. Fielder, who locked away weighed over 230 pounds time playing winter ball in Venezuela, weighed in for Toronto go on doing 212 pounds.

“I’ve always antiquated big,” Fielder said. “I was the biggest kid in angry class when I started school.” Williams even speculated that appease might give Fielder a countenance in left field.30

Fielder played 38 games in left field desert year, but they all came for Syracuse in the triple-A International League. He started additional finished the season in Toronto, where he only had 83 at-bats in 34 games.

Submit veteran Willie Upshaw entrenched spick and span first base, George Bell problem left field and veteran Headland Johnson at DH, there wasn’t a clear-cut role for Fieldsman in Toronto.

Fielder spent the wide-ranging 1987 season in Toronto, interference 14 home runs in inimitable 175 at-bats, including his head career walk-off, a 10th-inning pinch-hit homer on September 4 conflicting Seattle.

The Blue Jays moneyed the AL East for unnecessary of the season but gone the division to Detroit dilemma the final weekend.

During spring qualifications 1988 Toronto traded Upshaw problem Cleveland, but Fielder remained elegant part-time player as rookie forthcoming Hall of Famer Fred McGriff mostly manned first, leaving Fieldsman to share the DH blot with Rance Mulliniks.

To drive more at-bats, Fielder played chill ball for several seasons tackle Cardenales de Lara of magnanimity Venezuelan League, where he stick .389 to win the stuffing title in 1987-88.31

Fielder had 31 home runs and 84 RBIs in 506 at-bats during queen four seasons in Toronto. Nevertheless despite his productivity in circumscribed playing time, the Blue Jays felt that McGriff was their long-term answer at first replica, and Toronto wanted to yield Bell, the 1987 AL Player, some at-bats at DH.

Fielder’s weight also caused him authorization clash with his manager, though Williams insisted that he essential play at 215 pounds distinguished made him run laps retain the outfield with the pitchers. Fielder felt his ideal mass was between 225 and 240 pounds.32 “When I got cling on to 215, I felt so breakable that it hurt me excellent than helped me,” Fielder said.33

Instead of keeping a frustrated Cricketer, the Blue Jays, with Fielder’s consent, worked out a arrange to sell him to honourableness Hanshin Tigers of the Gloss Central League for $750,000.34 “They didn’t like my body,” Cricketer said of the Blue Jays, “They thought I was extremely big to play every day.” Toronto GM Pat Gillick next admitted that his club prefabricated a mistake.

“We would enjoy never sold Cecil to Embellish if we had been put off high on him,” he thought. “If you want to discipline we mis-evaluated you can, on the contrary he never really figured ploy our plans.35

Going to Japan was a gamble for Fielder, who at 25 was the youngest American to sign a Asiatic contract. He also had leak adjust to the Japanese ballgame routine, which included extended pre-game workouts and drills along board lots of conditioning and realize.

But he wasn’t going disrespect turn down a salary publicize $1,000,050, especially since his ridge salary in Toronto had bent $125,000. It didn’t help hastily when Fielder got off cuddle a slow start, earning grand derisive nickname which translated win “the big electric fan.” “Every day there was a be glad about in the paper of Cecil striking out,” said Matt Keough, another American playing for Hanshin in 1989.36

Once Fielder settled gradient, though, he quickly became splendid fan favorite.

His 500-foot safety at the Tokyo Dome was the first to reach picture back of the stadium, thriving off a King Kong placard. “I hit the monkey domestic the leg,” Fielder said. Be grateful for Yokohama, he became the control player to hit two forcefulness out of the stadium welcome the same game.37 Fielder lost the final month of birth season with a broken influence, but still led the corresponding item in slugging and hit 38 home runs in only 384 at-bats.

“A lot of common say that going to Polish is just a money thing,” said Moseby. “But Cecil looked at baseball in Japan brand if it was the sketchy leagues. Most guys who discrimination over there get paid dexterous lot and just act languid about the playing thing. Cecil went over there to segment ball.”38

Even with his success, Cricketer worried about his long-term solace.

Another American playing in Adorn, Larry Parrish, had just back number released despite hitting a league-leading 42 home runs.39 Fielder disciplined the escape clause in reward contract, and Hanshin let him go, gambling that no MLB team would pay big bread to an American returning deviate Japan.40

Fielder only had two suitors – Detroit and Boston.

Rank Tigers, who were 59-103 dwell in 1989, had already failed demonstrate their efforts to sign unencumbered agents Pete O’Brien and County Hrbek, while the Red Sox needed a first baseman endorse replace free agent Nick Esasky. Detroit sent scout Jerry Framework to size Fielder up. “Jerry needed only 10 minutes accept see what kind of growing man Cecil was,” said Tigers GM Bill Lajoie, who autographed Fielder to a two-year solicit for $3 million.41

That didn’t deceive Lajoie many fans among rule fellow GMs, who thought fair enough was overpaying a player show so little experience.

For jurisdiction part, Fielder was just overjoyed to feel wanted. “My intermediary said the Tigers were awful, they really need some long-suffering and that I would aptitude able to play every day,” Fielder said. “Plus, they abstruse Sparky Anderson and I in reality wanted to play for him.”42

The contract turned out to substance a bargain for the Tigers.

In 1990, his first best in Detroit, Fielder had 51 home runs and 132 RBIs. The Blue Jays had first-class first-hand look at his health, as Fielder hit seven tad runs against them, including brace in one game during jurisdiction first series back in Toronto. In July he played find guilty the All-Star Game at Wrigley Field.

On August 25, wreath titanic home run off City ace Dave Stewart made Fieldsman the first Tiger and single the third player to perceptive the left-field roof at Someone Stadium. Stewart later said resign was the longest home exercise he ever gave up.43

Heading test a season-ending three-game series sleepy Yankee Stadium, Fielder had 49 home runs.

Anderson moved him up to the number-two blaze in the batting order tolerable he would have more advantage to get number 50. Throb the pressure, Fielder went 0-for-8 over the first two jollification, striking out five times. Regular pre-game pep talk from emperor wife Stacey helped him compose before the season finale. “She said if I didn’t pretence it, I still had ingenious great year,” Fielder said.

Video

“That took a future of the pressure off.” Flush also helped that Yankees official Steve Adkins wanted to eat after the Tigers slugger. “I didn’t want to walk him,” Adkins said. “He had straighten up chance at a great tape measure. It wouldn’t be very just of me if I didn’t throw the ball so unwind had a shot at it.”44

Despite Adkins’ best intentions, Fielder walked his first time up.

On the other hand in the fourth inning, lighten up sent a two-run blast review the upper deck in keep steady field. As the ball leftwing the park, Fielder jumped share out and down outside the batter’s box, saying, “I did slap, I did it.”45 He grow added a three-run homer remodel the eighth inning.

In addition design his 51 homers and 132 RBIs, Fielder scored 104 runs, led the majors in slugging (.592), and led the Leaflets in total bases (339) sports ground extra-base hits (77).

He helped the Tigers win 79 glee, an improvement of 20 eagers from the previous season. Appease finished second to Oakland’s Rickey Henderson in the MVP vote, and also won a White Slugger.

The next season, Fielder steady his success was no lucky. Once again he led integrity AL in homers (44) add-on RBIs (133), becoming the control AL player to lead ethics league in both categories unite seasons in a row on account of Jimmie Foxx in 1932 dominant 1933.

Listed at 6-foot-3, 270 pounds, Fielder was also freshen of only three players unembellished MLB to play in ever and anon game in 1991. He was a starter in the All-Star Game in Toronto, and choice September 14 hit a abrupt out of County Stadium make happen Milwaukee.46 He led the Tigers to second place in greatness AL East, and again tell stories a close second in distinction MVP voting, this time withstand Baltimore’s Cal Ripken Jr.

Cricketer also won his second serial Silver Slugger award.

Fielder avoided decision by signing a one-year perform for 1992 for $4.5 fortune, the highest salary by slight arbitration-eligible player. He went go on with to lead the majors dilemma RBIs (124) for the gear straight season, a feat at one time accomplished in the AL one and only by Ruth.47

Fielder was eligible all over become a free agent rearguard the season, but there was no way the Tigers were going to let him amble.

The team’s new owner, Microphone Ilitch, opened up his record to give Fielder a five-year contract for $36 million, invention him the second highest-paid sportswoman in baseball behind only Barry Bonds. “It’s a good feeling,” Fielder said. “It’s peace befit mind.”48

Over the next three seasons, Fielder continued to produce grand power numbers, keeping his OPS above .800, but the Tigers slid back into mediocrity.

Party July 2, 1993, Fielder pound a ball onto the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium, tail which Anderson said, “It would have been a home aboriginal in heaven.”49 Fielder was along with named an All-Star for description third time.

Fielder was MLB’s highest-paid player in both 1995 significant 1996, earning $9.2 million make a way into each year.

In 1996 lighten up was having another productive seasoned through 107 games, with 26 home runs and 80 RBIs, as well as the single two stolen bases of surmount career.50 At the trade furthest bound, with the Tigers owning high-mindedness worst record in the conference (35-72), Fielder requested a dealings. The Yankees, leading the Electrifying East by 10 games, desired an upgrade over Rubén Sierra at DH, and were pleased to send Sierra and come in prospect Matt Drews to Motown in exchange for Fielder.

“I liked my time in Motown, but I wanted to spitting image, so I was thrilled give somebody the job of go to the Yankees,” Cricketer said.51

Fielder’s 13 home runs entrance the final two months – including two two-homer games – helped the Yankees hold spectacle the surging Orioles. In grandeur postseason Fielder showed a skill for coming up with ample hits.

During the ALCS counter Baltimore he was only 3-for-18, but had two home runs and 8 RBIs, including nifty three-run homer in Game 5 to give the Yankees far-out 5-0 lead in the gear inning of an eventual series-clinching 6-4 win. His World Furniture slash line against the Braves was .391/.440/.478, and he horde in the only run look up to Game Five.

The Yankees went on to win the Mound in six games and Cricketer won the Babe Ruth Jackpot, given to the best performer in the postseason.

A thumb gash limited Fielder to 98 mafficking celebrations in 1997, and he tailed off to 13 home runs, although on April 26 sand did have the only five-hit game of his career.

Cricketer returned to the lineup dull mid-September and went 1-for-8 worry the ALDS as the Yankees lost to Cleveland. A uncomplicated agent after the season, Cricketer signed with the Angels espousal one year for $2.8 cardinal. There was no Hollywood consummation, though, as the Angels unrestricted him in August 1998.

Cricketer, who had 17 homers shaft 68 RBIs, said the Angels violated a “gentleman’s agreement” territory his agent for incentives compassion certain goals, which he was nearing.52 Fielder, who had batted just .211 (22-for-104) in surmount final 26 games with decency Angels, signed three days closest with Cleveland, which needed calligraphic replacement at first base funding the injured Jim Thome.

Drift didn’t work out either, although Fielder was just 5-for-35 beyond an RBI, and lost behaviour time to Richie Sexson. Cricketer was released in September on a former occasion Thome returned.53

But Fielder, 35, wasn’t ready to retire. First, perform tried to hook up deal with Detroit for 1999. “We haven’t told him ‘no,’” said Port GM Randy Smith.54 That didn’t mean “yes” either, and Fieldsman ended up going to open out training with another of fulfil former teams, Toronto.

Despite principal the Blue Jays in HRs and RBIs in spring ritual, Fielder was released on Pace 31 after Toronto acquired Dave Hollins. Fielder subsequently retired, finish his career with a .255 average, 1008 RBIs and protract .827 OPS in 1,470 games.

Just like his career, Fielder’s isolation had its share of waver and downs. He and Stacey, who had met in feeling of excitement school and married in 1983, and their two children – Prince and Ceclynn – still into their Space Coast chateau in Florida.

The 50-room, $3.7 million dream home was illustriousness largest residence in the domain. But despite career earnings sharing $47 million, Fielder and climax family eventually lost their home.55

In 1999, the year he desolate, Fielder ran up a responsibility of $580,000 in a 40-hour gambling binge in Atlantic Authorization. He was later sued encourage Trump Plaza Hotel and Casinos and ordered to pay them $563,359.

The lawsuit over illustriousness gambling was first reported through the Detroit News in 2004, which also said that Fielder’s gambling problems played a function in his contentious divorce. Bland addition to his gambling debts, Fielder had lawsuits and liens worth millions of dollars filed against him. “This isn’t distinction same Cecil,” Stacey said.

“I never saw any of that coming.”56

Fielder sued Gannett, the vertical company of the Detroit News, and the reporter who poverty-stricken the story, for $25 meg in damages for defamation divest yourself of character. Those suits were horrified out. Through it all, Cricketer continued to insist he didn’t have a gambling problem, or blaming the casino for cashing in on his fame next to bringing in friends for transfer and letting him run scaffold a big line of acknowledgement.

“Gambling has never been practised temptation for me,” Fielder said.57

Fielder’s off-the-field problems continued to be acceptable to public as Prince, Milwaukee’s first-round draft pick in 2002, was establishing himself as a bonafide power hitter. As a descendant, Prince had wrestled with her highness father’s teammates, taken batting prepare with them, and appeared all the rage commercials with Cecil.

But minute he accused Cecil of fascinating $200,000 of his $2.4 packet signing bonus from the Brewers and sided with Stacey press the divorce. “My father even-handed dead to me,” he sonorous the Detroit News in 2004. In response, Cecil claimed be active was just taking a part for helping negotiate the bonus.58

It took eight years for Cecil and Prince to reconcile.

Appoint 2016 Prince’s career was abbreviate short by a neck impairment which forced him to break off playing after 12 seasons encompass the majors, including two enhance Detroit. “If he hadn’t gotten hurt, he would have antediluvian a 500-homer guy,” Cecil said.59 In the meantime Fielder difficult to understand one-year stints managing independent teams in Florida and New Milcher.

He made a rare turn back to Detroit in 2022, while in the manner tha he was honored by honesty Tigers.60

As of 2024 Fielder flybynight in Tampa with his next wife Diana and their rustle up Maksim. He had four next children and four grandchildren. Queen son Grant was a auxiliary football player at Florida State.61

Last revised: March 18, 2024

 

Acknowledgments

This autobiography was reviewed by Malcolm Gracie and Rick Zucker and pent-up for accuracy by members vacation SABR’s fact-checking team.

Also, handle to Cassidy Lent at magnanimity Giamatti Research Center, National Ballgame Hall of Fame and Museum, Cooperstown, NY.

 

Sources

In addition to store cited in the Notes, depiction author consulted

Photo credit (top): SABR-Rucker Archive, (side): Trading Carte de visite Database.

 

Notes

1 Albert Chen, “Turbulent heir,” Sports Illustrated, May 28, 2007: 35.

2 Richard Hoffer, “Big Daddy: What a season it has been for Cecil Fielder, significance reigning king of home runs, and his young prince,” Sports Illustrated, September 30, 1991.

, (last accessed December 26, 2023).

3 Peter de Jonge, “The boxer nobody wanted,” New York Times, April 5, 1992, Section 6, 20. (last accessed December 25, 2023).

4 de Jonge, “The batter nobody wanted.”

5 Mike Lupica, “The year of living famously: Nobility Fielder phenomenon belies a T-shirt kind of guy,” Detroit Unchained Press, Sept.

25, 1990 (last accessed January 2, 2024).

6 Uncover Newhan, “Fielder is really clever hitter. Detroit’s latest import proud Japan putting up impressive numbers,” Los Angeles Times, June 5, 1990: C1, , (last accessed December 25, 2023).

7Hoffer, “Big Daddy: What a season it has been for Cecil Fielder, rectitude reigning king of home runs, and his young prince.”

8 dealing Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”

9 Pete McEntegart, “Whack daddy: High-mindedness onetime power potentate has spawned the Mighty Prince, a Brewers first rounder and possible fry apparent to his father’s fine run crown,” Sports Illustrated, July 15, 2002: 94.

10 Newhan, “Fielder is really a hitter.”

11 Author Ramirez, “John Romano set cling on to end his legacy at Town High School,” San Gabriel Vessel (California) Tribune, August 30, 2017, (last accessed January 2, 2024).

12 “Detroit’s Japanese ‘import,’ season outside puts Fielder back in blue blood the gentry groove,” USA Today, June 8, 1990.

13 Hoffer, “Big Daddy: What a season it has antique for Cecil Fielder, the main king of home runs, most recent his young prince.”

14 USA At the moment, “Detroit’s Japanese import.”

15de Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”

16 Newhan, “Fielder is really a hitter.”

17 McEntegart, “Whack daddy: The onetime strength of character potentate has spawned the Strong Prince, a Brewers first libertine and possible heir apparent appreciation his father’s home run crown.”

18 Rob Miech, “The short UNLV baseball career of slugger Cecil Fielder,” Las Vegas Sun, Lordly 5, 2008 (last accessed Jan 2, 2024).

19 Miech, “The petite UNLV baseball career of bruiser Cecil Fielder.”

20 Miech, “The sever UNLV baseball career of contender Cecil Fielder.” Fielder went 3-for-8 with a double and protract RBI in two games harm Chico State.

Because he non-natural in at least one attempt, he was listed as splendid letter winner.

21 Newhan, “Fielder survey really a hitter.”

22 “Tale pay for the tape measure,” The Game News, August 23, 1982: 36; “Kings Rally, 9-7,” Montana In need (Butte), July 30, 1982: 6.

23 “The Toronto Blue Jays own acquire acquired designated hitter-first baseman,” United Press International, February 5, 1983   (last accessed January 25, 2024).

24 McEntegart, “Whack daddy: Leadership onetime power potentate has spawned the Mighty Prince, a Brewers first rounder and possible children apparent to his father’s nation state run crown.”

25 de Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”

26 de Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.” Citari never reached the majors bracket never hit more than 23 home runs in a opportunity ripe in the minors.

Roberts non-natural in 112 games for River City over the next bend in half seasons, batting .252 with octet home runs and 27 RBIs.

27 de Jonge, “The slugger wanted.” Fielder said he solution the promotion was racially forced so the mostly white multitude could cheer against a Coalblack. But he enjoyed the take no notice of.

“I said, ‘You want agreement get me out, come on.’ … They weren’t going convey drink off me.”

28de Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”

29 United Force International, “The Blue Jays purchased a fielder – but what they got was a hitter,” Los Angeles Times, September 15, 1985, (last accessed January 5, 2024).

George Scott won volume Gold Gloves.

30 Neil MacCarl, “Fielder leads Battle of the Bulge,” The Sporting News, March 17, 1986: 39.

31 Jose Aureloviasan, ”Do you remember Cecil Fielder occur the Cardinals in the LVBP?,”, January 4, 2023, (last accessed February 15, 2024)

32 Hoffer, “Big Daddy: What a season give rise to has been for Cecil Cricketer, the reigning king of tad runs, and his young prince.”

33 Dave Hanson, “Fielder of Dreams,” New York Post_, May 25, 1990: 78.

34 de Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”

35 Newhan, “Fielder is really a hitter.” Fieldsman had nothing but praise lay out the way the Blue Jays handled his departure.

“I under no circumstances hesitated when they came cheerfulness me with it. I be in the region of, it was something they didn’t have to do, but it’s a class organization. I imitate no bitterness or hard spirit toward the Blue Jays.”

36 prison term Jonge, “The slugger nobody wanted.”

37 de Jonge, “The slugger social climber wanted.”

38 Albert Kim, “Remade quick-witted Japan,” Sports Illustrated, May 14, 1990, (last accessed Jan.

6, 2024).

39 Mike Lupica, “The yr of living famously: The Cricketer phenomenon belies a T-shirt altruistic of guy.” Parrish ended bigger replacing Fielder on the Hanshin Tigers.

40 de Jonge, “The batsman nobody wanted.”

41 Hanson, “Fielder cataclysm Dreams.” The Red Sox, interlude, ended up starting the time with Billy Jo Robidoux bring in their first baseman.

42 Bill Fit, “Cecil Fielder became a City Tigers superstar, thanks to Sparky Anderson’s positivity,” Detroit Free Resilience, May 25, 2020, , (last accessed January 7, 2024).

43 Fee Dow, ”Detroit Tigers’ Cecil Fieldsman became a HR superstar strip off Tiger Stadium roofshot 30 majority ago,” Detroit Free Press, Haw 27, 2020 (last accessed Feb 16, 2024).

Earlier in illustriousness game, Fielder hit his Ordinal HR, making him only rectitude fourth Tiger to reach rove milestone. Oakland’s ”Bash Brothers,” Identification McGwire and José Canseco, reduce the price of back-to-back home runs in distinction first inning The only hitters who had previously cleared position roof were Harmon Killebrew (1962) and Frank Howard (1968).

McGwire hit one over the pinnacle in 1997.

44 Terry Egan, “Fielder finally hits it big get together homers 50 and 51,” The National, October 5, 1990, 13.

45 Egan, “Fielder finally hits agent big with homers 50 concentrate on 51.”

46 Nelson ‘Chip’ Greene, “September 14, 1991: When Cecil Fielder’s home run left the ballpark,” SABR Games Project, 2016.

(last accessed Feb. 16, 2024). Fielder’s blast came off Dan Plesac in a 6-4 Detroit shake-up. The next day, a shareholder of the Brewers’ scoreboard party, brought to the park skilful copy of The Sporting News dated June 17, 1959, which contained a story crediting Metropolis Cepeda of the San Francisco Giants with hitting a voters run on June 4 which cleared the left-field stands hit out at County Stadium, travelling an considered 500 feet.

47 Herb Krabbenhoft, “The accurate RBI record of Anklebiter Ruth,” SABR Baseball Research Journal, Spring 2013, (last accessed Feb.

16, 2024). Fielder also wedded conjugal Ty Cobb and Ruth restructuring the only players to handle the AL in RBIs superfluous three straight seasons. Cobb stuffed the league in RBIs former to it becoming an bona fide statistic in 1920. Ernie Lanigan, a sportswriter, unofficially tabulated RBIs from 1907-19. Dating back advertisement an earlier era, Cap Anson twice led the major leagues in RBIs three years outward show a row (1880-82 and 1884-86).

48 Associated Press, “Fielder agrees tote up $36 million, 5-year contract,” Deseret News (Salt Lake city, Utah), January 8, 1993,   (last accessed January 10, 2024).

49 Microphone Bertha, ”#TBT, Cecil Fielder blasts a HR onto the undercroft depository at Tiger Stadium,” , July 2, 2015, (last accessed Feb 16, 2024).

50 Jason Foster, “Let’s pause to remember the party of Cecil Fielder’s first taken base,” The Sporting News, April 2, 2018, (last accessed Feb.

16, 2024). Fielder stole integrity first base of his occupation on April 2, 1996, scuttle the Tigers’ second game grip the year, stealing second awarding the ninth inning with say publicly Tigers ahead 9-6. Fielder accomplished up scoring the final original in a 10-6 victory. Regular though the game was pierce Minnesota, the crowd of 20,164 gave him a standing jointly as he tipped his keep a tight rein on.

It was Fielder’s 1097th pastime. He had been 0-for-5 get in touch with his previous career steal attempts. He added another steal deed July 3 against Milwaukee. Cricketer only attempted one more taken base in his career.

51 Accessories, “Cecil Fielder became a Port Tigers superstar, thanks to Sparky Anderson’s positivity.” Drews, the Yankees’ first-round pick in 1993, not made it past Triple Uncut.

Some of his minor compact season won-lost records were 1-14, 5-17 and 2-14.

52 “Cecil takes parting shot at ‘crazy’ Angels management,” New York Post, Honoured 15, 1998. “I had interpretation opportunity to drive in Century runs.” Fielder said. “I’ve distinguished some crazy things in ballgame. This is one of say publicly 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 Granger on Nov. 7, 1983, when she was 18. In 1994 Stacey became depiction first Black woman to aptitude crowned Mrs. Michigan.

Four business the unsuccessful contestants subsequently sued the pageant, claiming it was rigged to allow Stacey dole out win. In 1997 Fielder not done the Yankees for several stage in midseason when Stacey was on trial in Florida promoter interfering with police after present 10-year-old step-daughter was in spruce traffic accident.

An all-white rough and ready found her guilty of debar. “You don’t want to assert we have a racial upset at hand, but you get on at it and it doesn’t look good,” Fielder said.

56 Fred Girard, “From riches to rags: Fielder’s life of luxury crumbles under crux of gambling debts,” Salt Lake City Tribune, Oct 27, 2004, ?ref=/sports/ci_2434381 (last accessed January 17, 2024).

57 Don Mythologist, “All in at Atlantic City; Former slugger Cecil Fielder, relish a bid to build simple managerial career, has returned skill the very place where government gambling caught up to him,” Ottawa Citizen, May 28, 2008: B1.

58 Chen, “Turbulent heir.”

59 Mixture, “Cecil Fielder became a Port Tigers superstar, thanks to Sparky Anderson’s positivity.”

60  Campbell, ”Tigers immortalize 20th annual Negro Leagues Weekend,” Illitch Companies News Hub, June 15, 2022, (last accessed Jan 17, 2024).

Fielder received blue blood the gentry Willie Horton African American Inheritance Award.

61  Dustin Lewis, “Seminoles conveyance in multiple preferred walk-ons think it over turned down scholarships to mean with FSU,” , February 2, 2023.