Otis Nixon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Otis Nixon |
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Nixon with the Nashville Sounds in 1981
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: January 9, 1959 Evergreen, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| June 16, 1983, for the New York Yankees | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| October 3, 1999, for the Atlanta Braves | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .270 | ||
| Home runs | 11 | ||
| Runs batted in | 318 | ||
| Stolen bases | 620 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Otis Junior Nixon (born January 9, 1959) is a former American professional baseball player. He was a speedy center fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). His career lasted from 1983 to 1999.
Nixon played for many teams, including the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Montreal Expos, and Atlanta Braves. He was known for his amazing ability to steal bases. In fact, he stole more bases than any other player in the 1990s. He also holds the record for the most career stolen bases (620) for a player who never made it to an MLB All-Star team.
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Playing Career Highlights
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Before playing in the MLB, Otis Nixon was a star in the minor leagues. He led his leagues in stolen bases twice. In 1980, he stole 67 bases in the South Atlantic League. In 1983, he stole 94 bases in the International League.
He also led the league in runs scored and hits during his minor league career. Nixon started as an infielder. However, his incredible speed and quickness led him to become an outfielder in 1983. This change helped him use his speed even more effectively.
Record-Breaking Stolen Bases
Otis Nixon was a master of stealing bases. On June 16, 1991, he stole 6 bases in a single game. This ties him for the Major League record.
In 1991, he set a new record for the Atlanta Braves with 72 stolen bases in one season. This record stood for many years until Ronald Acuña Jr. broke it in 2023.
Memorable Plays
Nixon made many exciting plays during his career. On July 25, 1992, he made an incredible catch. He jumped over the outfield wall to stop Andy Van Slyke from hitting a home run. This amazing catch was shown on sports news programs many times.
In the 1992 World Series, Nixon was involved in the final play of Game 6. He tried to bunt for a hit with a runner on third base. Even though he had successfully bunted for hits many times, this time it ended the game.
In the 1999 National League Championship Series, Nixon, at 40 years old, made a key play. As a pinch runner, he stole second base and then went to third when the throw went wild. He then scored the tying run, helping the Braves win the game and the series.
Career Statistics
Over his 17 seasons, Otis Nixon played in 1,709 games. He had a batting average of .270. He hit 11 home runs and had 318 RBI (runs batted in). He scored 878 runs and had 1,379 hits.
He also had 142 doubles, 27 triples, and 620 stolen bases. In his postseason games, Nixon was even better, hitting .321 with 13 runs and 11 stolen bases in 24 games. In eight World Series games, he hit .310 with five stolen bases.
Family Life
Otis Nixon's younger brother, Donell Nixon, also played in Major League Baseball from 1987 to 1990.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball stolen base records
- List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders
Images for kids
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Nixon with the Nashville Sounds in 1981
