Cecil Fielder facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cecil Fielder |
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Fielder in 1996
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| First baseman / Designated hitter | |||
| Born: September 21, 1963 Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: June 20, 1985, for the Toronto Blue Jays | |||
| NPB: April 8, 1989, for the Hanshin Tigers | |||
| NPB: September 14, | |||
| MLB: September 13, 1998, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .255 | ||
| Home runs | 319 | ||
| Runs batted in | 1,008 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .302 | ||
| Home runs | 38 | ||
| Runs batted in | 81 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Cecil Grant Fielder (born September 21, 1963) is a former American professional baseball player. He was known as a powerful hitter who played as a designated hitter and first baseman. Cecil played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for teams like the Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Anaheim Angels, and Cleveland Indians. He also played in Japan for the Hanshin Tigers.
One of Cecil's biggest achievements was hitting 51 home runs in 1990. He was the first player to hit 50 home runs in a season since 1977! He also won the 1996 World Series with the New York Yankees. Cecil is the father of Prince Fielder, who was also a famous power hitter. They are the only father-son duo in MLB history to both hit 50 home runs in a single season.
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Early Baseball Days
Cecil Fielder went to Nogales High School in California. He was a great baseball player there in 1981. After high school, he played college baseball at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV).
He was first picked by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1981 MLB draft, but he didn't sign with them. The next year, in the 1982 MLB draft, the Kansas City Royals drafted him, and he signed. In 1983, he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays.
The Blue Jays brought Cecil up to the major leagues in 1985. He played as a part-time first and third baseman. In four seasons with the Blue Jays, he hit 31 home runs and had 84 runs batted in (RBI).
Playing in Japan: Hanshin Tigers
After the 1988 season, Cecil Fielder decided to play baseball in Japan. He signed with the Hanshin Tigers in the Nippon Professional Baseball league. He wanted the chance to play every day.
At first, it was a bit tough for Cecil to get used to baseball in Japan. But with help from his manager and a teammate, he adjusted well. The Tigers made him their main power hitter, and fans loved him! They even gave him the nickname "Wild Bear" because of his powerful hitting and large size. In 1989, Cecil had a fantastic season, hitting 38 home runs and 81 RBI.
Detroit Tigers Star
In 1990, Cecil Fielder returned to MLB and signed with the Detroit Tigers. His first season with the Tigers was amazing! He hit 51 home runs and had 132 RBI. He led all of Major League Baseball in both categories. He was the first Tigers player to hit 50 home runs since Hank Greenberg in 1938.
Cecil quickly became a fan favorite in Detroit. Fans nicknamed him "Big Daddy" because of his friendly smile, calm personality, and his huge home runs. He was also a very important player who often got big hits when his team needed them most.
He continued to be a star for the Tigers. In 1991, he hit 44 home runs and had 133 RBI, leading the league again. He was one of only a few Tigers players to hit 40 or more home runs in two years in a row. In 1992, he led the league in RBI for the third year in a row, hitting 35 home runs.
During his six years with Detroit, Cecil had four seasons where he hit at least 30 home runs and had 100 RBI. He was also chosen for the All-Star Team three times (1990, 1991, and 1993).
Cecil was known for his powerful hits. He was one of only four players to ever hit a home run completely over the left-field roof at Tiger Stadium. He also hit the only home run to ever travel completely out of Milwaukee County Stadium. These were truly massive home runs!
Later Career and World Series Win
In 1996, Cecil Fielder was traded to the New York Yankees. He played a big part in helping the Yankees win the 1996 World Series that year. He hit well in the postseason, helping his team become champions.
After the Yankees, Cecil played for the Anaheim Angels and the Cleveland Indians in 1998. He then signed with the Toronto Blue Jays again in 1999 for spring training, but he decided to retire before the season started.
Over his entire career, Cecil Fielder hit 319 home runs and had 1,008 RBI. He was a true power hitter!
Family Life
Cecil Fielder is the father of Prince Fielder, who also became a very successful professional baseball player. Prince played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers.
On September 25, 2007, Prince hit his 50th home run of the season. This made Cecil and Prince the only father-son duo in Major League history to each hit 50 home runs in a single season. This is a very special record in baseball!
After his playing career, Cecil Fielder also became a baseball manager for minor league teams. In 2024, he was inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
See also
- 50 home run club
- List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders
- List of second-generation Major League Baseball players
- List of Major League Baseball career runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders
- List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders
