Razor Shines facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Razor Shines |
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![]() Shines with the New York Mets in 2010
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First baseman / Coach | |||
Born: Durham, North Carolina, U.S. |
July 18, 1956 |||
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debut | |||
September 9, 1983, for the Montreal Expos | |||
Last appearance | |||
May 14, 1987, for the Montreal Expos | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Batting average | .185 | ||
Home runs | 0 | ||
Runs batted in | 5 | ||
Teams | |||
As player
As coach
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Anthony Razor Shines (born July 18, 1956) is a former American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Montreal Expos. He mostly played as a first baseman. After his playing days, he became a base coach for the Chicago White Sox and New York Mets.
Contents
Playing Baseball: Razor's Journey
Starting Out in Baseball
Razor Shines was born in Durham, North Carolina. He was chosen by the Montreal Expos in the 1978 baseball draft. This was after he played college baseball at St. Augustine's College.
He started his professional career in the minor leagues. He played for teams like the Jamestown Expos and the West Palm Beach Expos. Later, he moved up to the Memphis Chicks.
Making It to the Major Leagues
Razor Shines made his big league debut on September 9, 1983. He played for the Montreal Expos. His first official hit in the Major Leagues was a single. He hit it against the New York Mets.
He played in 68 games over parts of four seasons with the Expos. He had 15 hits and 5 runs batted in. He even pitched one inning in a game in 1985! A cool fact about Razor Shines is that he holds a unique record. He reached base 21 times in his MLB career without ever scoring a run. This record still stands today!
A Fan Favorite in Indianapolis
Even though he played in the MLB, Razor Shines spent most of his career in the minor leagues. He played nine seasons with the Indianapolis Indians. He became a local hero and a favorite player there.
After leaving the Expos, he played for other teams. These included the Buffalo Bisons and the Mexico City Reds. He retired from playing baseball in 1993.
In 2006, the Indianapolis Indians honored him with a "Razor Shines Night." He lived in Indianapolis for many years. In 2024, the Indianapolis Indians retired his jersey number 3. He is the first and only player in their long history to receive this honor.
Coaching and Managing: Guiding Young Players
From Player to Coach
After retiring as a player, Razor Shines started coaching. He coached at a local baseball academy in Indianapolis. He also coached at high schools.
He then became a manager in the minor leagues. He managed teams like the Birmingham Barons and the Clearwater Threshers. He has won over 500 games as a minor league manager.
Coaching in the Big Leagues
In 2007, Razor Shines returned to Major League Baseball. He was the third base coach for the Chicago White Sox.
He later became the first base coach for the New York Mets. He coached for them in 2009 and 2010. After that, he continued to coach and manage in the minor leagues. He worked for teams like the Great Lakes Loons and the Chattanooga Lookouts.
Personal Life: The Name "Razor"
The name "Razor" is a special family name. It was his grandfather's middle name. It was also his father's middle name. His son, Devin, also has "Razor" as his middle name. Devin also played baseball. He was drafted by the Dodgers and even played for his dad's team, the Great Lakes Loons, in 2012.
In 2009, Razor Shines became a spokesperson for Aquafina water. He was known as "The 3rd Base Coach of Life." People could ask him questions online and get "advice."