Batting average .268 Name Tom Goodwin Home runs 24 Role Baseball player | Runs batted in 284 Date drafted 1989 Stolen bases 369 Children Weslee Goodwin | |
 | ||
School California State University, Fresno | ||
Tom goodwin makes incredible leaping catch
Thomas Jones Goodwin (born July 27, 1968) is a former Major League Baseball center fielder. He attended Central High School (Fresno, California) and then went on to play for Fresno State University. He is currently the first base coach with the New York Mets.
Contents
- Tom goodwin makes incredible leaping catch
- Goodwin hits an inside the park homer
- Professional career
- Post playing career
- Major Transactions
- Honors and awards
- References
Goodwin hits an inside-the-park homer
Professional career
In 1986, the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Goodwin in the sixth round (134th overall). He opted not to sign. In 1988, he was a member of the gold winning United States baseball team at the 1988 Olympics in Seoul. Because of this, he decided to wait until 1989 to sign with a team, which is when he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers, after being drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall).
At 6'1", Goodwin was only 175 pounds, which gave him an advantage over his heavier teammates. He developed a forté in base stealing. He spent only three seasons in the minors (during each of which he stole over 45 bases) before making his Major League debut on September 1, 1991, at the age of 23.
Some of his major league career highlights include the 369 bases he stole over 14 years in the Major Leagues with the Dodgers, Kansas City Royals, Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, San Francisco Giants and Chicago Cubs, a career high 66 stolen bases with the Royals in 1996, and a .290 batting average with the Rangers in 1998. Tom had an interesting year when it came to home runs in 2000—not because he hit so many, but because of what kind of home runs they were. One of his six home runs occurred on April 5, was an inside-the-parker against the Braves. On April 30 against the Mets, he hit a grand slam, and on July 17 against the Athletics, he hit another grand slam.
His career statistics draw comparisons to those of Billy North, a former Oakland Athletic.
He last played major league baseball in 2004, but he played in the independent Atlantic League in 2005 for the Atlantic City Surf.
Post playing career
After retiring as a player, Goodwin managed the Lewisville Lizards, coached for the Lowell Spinners, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox, and served as a roving outfield and base running coach in the Red Sox minor league system.
On October 29, 2011 Goodwin was named the first base coach for the Mets replacing former coach Mookie Wilson.