Dan Driessen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dan Driessen |
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| First baseman | |||
| Born: July 29, 1951 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| June 9, 1973, for the Cincinnati Reds | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 3, 1987, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .267 | ||
| Home runs | 153 | ||
| Runs batted in | 763 | ||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Daniel "Dan" Driessen (born July 29, 1951) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1973 to 1987. Dan was a first baseman for many teams. He is best known for his time with the Cincinnati Reds. He helped the Reds win two World Series championships in 1975 and 1976. In 2012, he was added to the Cincinnati Reds Baseball Hall of Fame.
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Early Life and Baseball Start
Dan Driessen was born in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He was one of eight children. His family worked hard. Dan's father passed away when he was six years old.
He went to Michael C. Riley High School. This school did not have a baseball team. For his senior year, he moved to Hardeeville High School. It also did not have a baseball team. But Dan played as a catcher for his town team. They were called the Hardeeville Boll Weevils.
His coach, Hal Young, told Major League teams about Dan. The Atlanta Braves and the Reds were interested. The Reds offered him a contract, and Dan signed with them in 1969.
Major League Career Highlights
Starting in the Big Leagues
Dan Driessen made his MLB debut on June 9, 1973. He was 21 years old. His first game was with the Cincinnati Reds. They played against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. Dan started at third baseman and got his first hit. It was a double in the ninth inning.
He had a great first season. He hit for a .301 batting average. He also hit four home runs and had 47 runs batted in (RBI). During this rookie year, he got the nickname "The Cobra". People called him this because his bat struck the ball so quickly.
World Series Wins
Dan was a key part of the Reds team that won the 1975 World Series. They beat the Boston Red Sox in seven games.
In the 1976 World Series, Dan made history. He became the first player in the National League to be a designated hitter in a World Series. This means he only batted and did not play a defensive position. He played very well in that series. He hit .357 and had a home run. The Reds swept the New York Yankees to win their second straight World Series.
Later Career and Other Teams
From 1977 to 1984, Dan was the Reds' main first baseman. He had his best year in 1977. He hit .300 with 17 home runs. He also had a career-high 91 RBI. Dan was also good at stealing bases. He stole 31 bases that year. He was known for his good fielding at first base. He led all National League first basemen in fielding three times.
In 1984, Dan was traded to the Montreal Expos. He played for the Expos and then the San Francisco Giants. In 1986, he played for the Giants and the Houston Astros. His last team was the St. Louis Cardinals in 1987.
He played in his third World Series in 1987 with the Cardinals. They lost to the Minnesota Twins. This was Dan's final season in Major League Baseball.
Career Numbers
Over 15 seasons, Dan Driessen played in 1,732 games. He had a career batting average of .267. He hit 153 home runs and had 763 RBI. He was also good at getting on base. He had a .356 on-base percentage.
Life After Baseball
Dan Driessen married his wife, Bonnie, in 1976. They have three daughters. In the early 1990s, Dan and his family moved back to Hilton Head Island.
Today, Dan owns a business called Driessen Excavating Services. He also helps coach the baseball team at Hilton Head High School.
Dan Driessen was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Baseball Hall of Fame on June 23, 2012. He is the uncle of another former Major League player, Gerald Perry.
