Al Newman facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Al Newman |
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Newman in 1987
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| Infielder | |||
| Born: June 30, 1960 Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| June 14, 1985, for the Montreal Expos | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 3, 1992, for the Texas Rangers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .226 | ||
| Home runs | 1 | ||
| Runs batted in | 156 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Albert Dwayne Newman (born June 30, 1960) is a former American baseball player. He was an infielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Newman played for the Montreal Expos, Minnesota Twins, and Texas Rangers. He was a switch-hitter, meaning he could bat from both sides of the plate. He threw the ball with his right hand.
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College Baseball Star
Al Newman went to San Diego State University. There, he played baseball for coach Jim Dietz. He also played football as a running back. From 1980 to 1982, he played in the National Baseball Congress Tournament. Newman was a top player, earning "All-Conference" honors twice.
Baseball teams noticed Newman's talent early. The California Angels drafted him in 1979, but he chose to stay in college. In 1980, the Texas Rangers drafted him, but he again turned down their offer. Later that year, the New York Mets also drafted him, but he did not sign. Finally, in 1981, the Montreal Expos drafted him. This time, Newman signed his first professional baseball contract.
Starting in the Minor Leagues
After signing, Newman spent about four years playing in the minor leagues. These are leagues where players develop their skills before reaching MLB. He started with the Memphis Chicks, a team for the Montreal Expos. In 1982, he was an All-Star second baseman.
Newman moved up to higher minor league teams. He played for the Wichita Aeros in 1983. He was also part of a big trade between three teams in December 1983. He later played for the Beaumont Golden Gators and the Indianapolis Indians. These experiences helped him get ready for the major leagues.
Playing in Major League Baseball
Al Newman made his MLB debut on June 14, 1985. He was a pinch runner and scored a run in his first game. He mostly played second baseman, but he was a versatile player. He could also play shortstop, third base, and left field.
Newman played for the Montreal Expos in 1985 and 1986. On July 6, 1986, he hit his only home run in MLB. This happened in the same game where another player, Bob Horner, hit four home runs!
Joining the Minnesota Twins
Before the 1987 season, Newman joined the Minnesota Twins. He became a very important utility player for them. This means he could play many different positions. He was also a good pinch runner.
Newman was a key part of two World Series championship teams with the Twins. They won in 1987 and 1991. He had some important hits in the World Series games. His best season was in 1989. That year, he had career-high numbers in stolen bases (25), hits (113), and batting average (.253).
In 1989, Newman joked about playing third base, also called the "hot corner." He said a powerful hitter, Dave Winfield, once hit a ball right at him. Newman said he didn't even have time to move, and the ball just landed in his glove!
In 1990, the Twins made history by turning two triple plays in one game. Newman was part of both of them. He also joked when his famous teammate, Kirby Puckett, played many different positions in one game. Newman said he was glad Puckett was now a "utility guy" like him.
Final Season
After the 1991 World Series win, Newman became a free agent. He signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 1992 but was released. Soon after, he signed with the Texas Rangers. This was his final season in MLB.
In his eight-season career, Newman had a .226 batting average. He hit one home run and had 156 runs batted in. He was known more for his defense and speed than his hitting power.
After Playing Baseball
After his playing career, Al Newman became a coach and manager. He managed the Twins' minor league team, the New Britain Rock Cats, in 1996 and 1997. He also managed the Gulf Coast League Twins from 1999 to 2001.
Coaching for the Twins
In 2002, Newman became the third base coach for the Minnesota Twins. He coached there until 2005. He was a well-liked coach and friend to many players.
In September 2003, Newman had a serious health issue during warm-ups. He collapsed on the field and was rushed to the hospital. He stayed in the hospital for several weeks. His teammates and coaches were very worried and supported him. His jersey, number 62, was hung in the dugout during games to honor him. After recovering, Newman threw out the first pitch at a Twins playoff game. It was an emotional moment for everyone.
Newman returned to coaching in 2004. He continued to work with the team. In 2006, he became an advance scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also spoke at the funeral of his good friend and former teammate, Kirby Puckett.
Life After Baseball
Al Newman has continued to be involved in sports. In 2008, he started a business called "Newmie Rewards LLC" to help athletic teams raise money. He also hosted a radio show about sports for a short time.
Newman has always been involved in developing young baseball players. He has held off-season clinics for youth sports. In 2010, he participated in the opening ceremonies for Target Field, the new home of the Twins. He also coached a high school baseball team in Minnesota.
More recently, Newman managed the Saint Cloud Rox in the Northwoods League. He also works as an instructor at Acceleration Baseball. In 2022, baseball legend David Ortiz thanked Al Newman in his Hall of Fame speech. Ortiz said Newman helped him build his confidence as a player.
