Dave Winfield

Right Fielder

Class of 2001

Dave Winfield

Right Fielder

Class of 2001
Hailed as one of the greatest athletes ever, Dave Winfield was drafted by the San Diego Padres (MLB), Atlanta Hawks (NBA), Utah Stars (ABA) and Minnesota Vikings (NFL).

Games

Birth year

About Dave Winfield

Dave Winfield was the first athlete in history to be drafted by four different leagues, but in the end he chose Major League Baseball over the NFL, the ABA and the NBA – and found a home in the National Pastime.

The outfielder didn’t spend a single day in the minor leagues following a stellar career at the University of Minnesota. He began his career with the San Diego Padres just days after becoming the fourth overall pick in the 1973 MLB Draft.

A five-tool talent who had four seasons with at least 20 stolen bases, Winfield was named to the first of 12 All-Star Games in 1977 and topped the .300 mark in batting average for the first time the year after that.

Winfield found success even when his team did not. In 1979, he had a National League-best 118 RBI in a season when the Padres only scored 603 times. Winfield finished third in the NL Most Valuable Player voting that season when he also won the first of seven Gold Glove Awards in right field.

From San Diego, he moved onto New York following the 1980 season as a free agent, signing a 10-year deal worth $23 million – the richest contract in professional sports history. He helped the Yankees win the American League pennant in 1981 and recorded six 100-RBI seasons in seven years from 1982-88.

After missing the 1989 campaign due to a back injury, Winfield returned in 1990 and was traded to the Angels early in the season. Following the 1991 season, Winfield became a free agent and joined the Toronto Blue Jays.

At the age of 40, Winfield drove in 108 runs as Toronto's regular designated hitter, earning a fifth-place finish in the AL Most Valuable Player voting. In Game 6 of the World Series against the Braves. Winfield's 11th-inning double plated two runs and was the difference in the 4-3 victory that gave the Blue Jays their first World Series title.

Following his one year with the Jays, he went back to his hometown and played for the Twins in 1993 and 1994. He collected his 3,000th career hit with Minnesota in 1993 before finishing his career with the Indians in 1995.

Winfield was a 12-time All-Star selection who amassed 3,110 hits, 465 home runs and 1,833 RBI.

He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2001.

The Basics

Year inducted
2001
Birth Place
St. Paul, Minnesota
Birth Year
1951

Career at a Glance

Primary Team
New York Yankees
Primary Position
Right Fielder
Played For
San Diego Padres, 1973-1980
New York Yankees, 1981-1988
New York Yankees, 1990
LA/California Angels, 1990-1991
Toronto Blue Jays, 1992
Minnesota Twins, 1993-1994
Cleveland Indians, 1995

Career MLB Stats

Games
2,973
At bats
11,003
Hits
3,110
Walks
1,216
Runs
1,669
Doubles
540
Triples
88
Home Runs
465
RBI
1,833
Stolen Bases
223
Batting Average
.283
Ops
.827
On Base %
.353
Slugging %
.475

Dave Winfield Stories

Explore the archives and go deep into the lives, careers, and stories of the Hall of Fame's honorees.

Winfield’s double gives Jays World Series title

Robin Yount and Dave Winfield were picked No. 3 and No. 4 overall in the MLB Draft

Winfield's presence pushes Blue Jays to top

Winfield signs record-setting deal with Yankees

Trade to Angels sparks late-career surge for Winfield