Phil Nevin

Phil Nevin
First baseman / Designated hitter / Catcher / Third baseman / Outfielder
Born: January 19, 1971 (1971-01-19) Fullerton, California
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 11, 1995 for the Houston Astros
Last MLB appearance
September 29, 2006 for the Minnesota Twins
Career statistics
Batting average	.270
Home runs	208
Runs batted in	743
Teams
Houston Astros (1995) Detroit Tigers (1995–1997) Anaheim Angels (1998) San Diego Padres (1999–2005) Texas Rangers (2005–2006) Chicago Cubs (2006) Minnesota Twins (2006)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star selection (2001) 1992 Golden Spikes Award

Phillip Joseph Nevin (born January 19, 1971 in Fullerton, California) is a retired American professional baseball player who spent twelve seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Houston Astros (1995), Detroit Tigers (1995–1997), Anaheim Angels (1998), San Diego Padres (1999–2005), Texas Rangers (2005–2006), Chicago Cubs (2006) and Minnesota Twins (2006). Nevin attended California State University, Fullerton where he was awarded the Golden Spikes Award in 1992. He was also the "Most Outstanding Player" of the 1992 NCAA College World Series. He bats and throws right-handed.

Career

Early Career and Early Draft Selection

After graduating from El Dorado High School in Placentia, California, Nevin was originally selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third round (82nd overall) of the 1989 MLB Draft. He decided to attend California State University, Fullerton after turning down a US $100,000 offer to sign with the Dodgers. A two-sports star, he was a punter/placekicker on the school's football squad.

Nevin was the first pick of the 1992 MLB Draft by the Houston Astros. Derek Jeter was selected sixth in the draft; Hal Newhouser, a scout for Houston at the time, quit the franchise over the decision not to pick Jeter.

Major Leagues

During his twelve-season career, Nevin was a .270 hitter with 208 home runs and 743 RBI in 1217 games. Nevin made his break late in his career with the Padres, first appearing in 100 games during the 1999 season. He then had the best offensive years of his career: he hit 31 home runs with a .916 OPS in 2000 and made the National League All-Star team in 2001, when he hit 41 home runs with 126 RBIs and a .976 OPS. That year he led major league third basemen in errors, however, with 27, and had the lowest fielding percentage of all major league third basemen (.930).

After two injury-shortened years, he had his third year with more than 100 RBIS in 2004. Two nights after San Diego Padres management informed him that he was being replaced by Xavier Nady as the starting first baseman, Nevin rejected a trade to the Baltimore Orioles for Sidney Ponson on July 25, 2005. Nevin had exercised a clause in his contract which gave him the right to block transactions that would have sent him to any of eight ballclubs, one of which was the Orioles. He was dealt to the Texas Rangers for Chan-Ho Park five days later on July 30.

On May 31, 2006, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs; the Rangers were believed to be paying the majority of the amount still due to him on his contract. In return, the Rangers received second baseman/outfielder Jerry Hairston, Jr.. On August 31, the Minnesota Twins announced the trade of Nevin from the Cubs to the Twins for a player to be named later (Adam Harben) and "cash considerations." To make room for Nevin, Twins' outfielder Shannon Stewart was placed on the 60-day disabled list.

Retirement and Managerial Career

On May 12, 2007, Nevin announced his retirement. He then began working pre-game radio shows with the Padres. In June 2008, he returned to Goodwin Field at Cal State Fullerton as the ESPN analyst for the Super Regional against Stanford. In December 2008, he was named the manager of the Orange County Flyers in the independent Golden Baseball League.

On December 15, 2009 Nevin was named the manager of the Erie SeaWolves, the AA minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers, when the previous manager (Tom Brookens) was promoted to the major league staff as a first base coach.

On November 11, 2010 Nevin was named manager of the Toledo Mud Hens, the AAA minor league affiliate of the Detroit Tigers.

See also

• 1992 College Baseball All-America Team
• Golden Spikes Award
• List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• Phil Nevin: The Happiest Twin (Minnesota Public Radio)

Preceded by Brien Taylor

First overall pick in the MLB Entry Draft 1992

Succeeded by Alex Rodriguez