Terry Whitfield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Terry Whitfield |
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| Outfielder | |||
| Born: January 12, 1953 Blythe, California, U.S. |
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| Professional debut | |||
| MLB: September 29, 1974, for the New York Yankees | |||
| NPB: April 4, 1981, for the Seibu Lions | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| NPB: November 7, 1983, for the Seibu Lions | |||
| MLB: May 23, 1986, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .281 | ||
| Home runs | 33 | ||
| Runs batted in | 179 | ||
| NPB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .289 | ||
| Home runs | 85 | ||
| Runs batted in | 280 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Terry Bertland Whitfield, born on January 12, 1953, is a former professional baseball player from the United States. He played as an Outfielder in Major League Baseball. Terry was especially good at hitting the ball. He ended his career with a strong batting average of .281.
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Playing Baseball: Terry Whitfield's Career
In 1971, the New York Yankees picked Terry Whitfield in the first round of the baseball draft. He was the 19th player chosen overall.
Playing in the Major Leagues
Terry played seven seasons in Major League Baseball. He started with the New York Yankees. Later, he joined the San Francisco Giants.
Success in Japan
After playing in the U.S., Terry moved to Japan. From 1981 to 1983, he played for the Seibu Lions. He was a very strong hitter there.
In 1981, he hit for a .316 batting average. He also hit 22 Home runs and had 100 runs batted in. That year, he won a Best Nine Award. This award goes to the best player at each position.
In 1982, he hit 25 home runs. He also had 71 runs batted in. The next year, 1983, was even better. He hit 38 home runs and had 109 runs batted in. Terry was chosen as a Pacific League All-Star. He also won another Best Nine Award, his second in three years.
Return to the Major Leagues
After his time in Japan, Terry Whitfield came back to Major League Baseball. He played for three more seasons. From 1984 to 1986, he was a player for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
After Baseball: Coaching and Inventions
After his playing career, Terry Whitfield opened a place called Future Pro Baseball. It is a batting cage in Burlingame, California. There, he teaches people how to hit a baseball better.
Youth Baseball and the "Terry-Toss"
Terry also runs a baseball camp for young players. He invented a special machine called the "Terry-Toss." This machine helps players practice hitting soft-toss pitches. You can find the "Terry-Toss" at Future Pro Baseball. It is also a fun attraction at professional baseball stadiums in California. These include Oracle Park in San Francisco and Oakland Coliseum in Oakland.
Terry Whitfield's Family Life
Terry Whitfield used to be the head baseball coach at Burlingame High School. He has four children. Their names are Charles, Emmett, Eric, and Lydia.
