Dan Driessen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dan Driessen |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
 |
|||
| First baseman | |||
| Born: July 29, 1951 Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, U.S. |
|||
|
|||
| 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 | ||
| Teams | |||
|
|||
| Career highlights and awards | |||
|
|||
Daniel Driessen, born on July 29, 1951, is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball from 1973 to 1987. He was a key player for the Cincinnati Reds. This team won many championships between 1973 and 1976. He was added to the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame in 2012.
Contents
Early Life and Baseball Start
Daniel Driessen grew up in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. He was one of eight children. His mother raised them after his father passed away when Daniel was six.
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.
However, Daniel became known as a great catcher. He played for his town team, the Hardeeville Boll Weevils. His coach, Hal Young, wrote to Major League teams about Daniel. The Atlanta Braves and the Reds showed interest. The Reds offered him a contract.
Major League Baseball Career
The Cincinnati Reds signed Daniel Driessen in 1969. He made his first Major League game on June 9, 1973. He was 21 years old. The Reds won that game against the Chicago Cubs.
Daniel had a great first year. He hit for a .301 average. He also hit four home runs and had 47 runs batted in (RBI). During this time, he earned the nickname "The Cobra". This was because his bat struck the ball quickly and powerfully.
In 1974, he became the Reds' starting third baseman. But soon, another famous player, Pete Rose, took over that position.
World Series Wins
Daniel was part of the Reds team that won the 1975 World Series. They beat the Boston Red Sox in seven games. In 1976, Daniel made history. He became the first designated hitter in a World Series game for the National League.
Even though he didn't get a hit in the first game, he played very well overall. He hit .357 in the series. He had five hits, including two doubles and a home run. The Reds swept the New York Yankees to win their second straight World Series.
Later Career and Achievements
From 1977 to 1984, Daniel was the Reds' main first baseman. This happened after Tony Pérez was traded. His best year was 1977. He hit .300, had 17 home runs, and a career-high 91 RBI. He also stole 31 bases that year.
Daniel was known for his great defense. He led all National League first basemen in fielding three times. He also led the NL in bases on balls (walks) in 1980.
In 1984, he was traded to the Montreal Expos. He played for them and then for 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 Daniel Driessen's final season in Major League Baseball.
Career Highlights
Over 15 seasons, Daniel Driessen played in 1732 games. He had a career batting average of .267. He hit 153 home runs and had 763 RBI. He also stole 154 bases. His fielding percentage was .992, showing how good he was at first base.
Personal Life
Daniel Driessen married his wife, Bonnie, in 1976. They have three daughters. In the early 1990s, the family moved back to Hilton Head.
Today, Daniel owns a business called Driessen Excavating Services. He also helps coach the baseball team at Hilton Head High School. He was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds Baseball Hall of Fame on June 23, 2012. His nephew, Gerald Perry, also played in Major League Baseball.
