Al Spangler

Al Spangler
Al Spangler
	Spangler in 1961.
	Outfielder
	Born: July 8, 1933 (age 91); Philadelphia
	Batted: Left Threw: Left
MLB debut
	September 16, 1959, for the Milwaukee Braves
Last MLB appearance
	September 11, 1971, for the Chicago Cubs
MLB statistics
Batting average	.262
Home runs	21
Runs batted in	175
Teams
	Milwaukee Braves (1959–1961); Houston Colt .45s (1962–1964); Houston Astros (1965); California Angels (1965–1966); Chicago Cubs (1967–1971);
Career highlights and awards
	Drove in first run in Houston Colt .45s history.;

Albert Donald "Spanky" Spangler (born July 8, 1933, at Philadelphia) is a retired American Major League Baseball outfielder.^[1]

Spangler attended Duke University. He was signed as a free agent by the Milwaukee Braves on June 14, 1954. He made his debut on September 16, 1959, and would go on to play his final game on September 11, 1971.^[1]

Spangler was drafted by the Houston Colt .45s as a premium selection in the 1961 Major League Baseball expansion draft and led the .45's in hitting their first two seasons.^[2]^[3] In the Colt .45s' first game against the Chicago Cubs, Spangler drove in the first run in Houston baseball history with an RBI triple in the bottom of the 1st inning off Cubs starter Don Cardwell, driving in teammate Bob Aspromonte.^[4]

On June 12, 1969, Spangler hit two home runs and drove in four runs to help lift his Cubs to a 12 to 6 victory over the Atlanta Braves.^[5]

Spangler was traded by Houston to the California Angels during the 1965 season.^[6] He signed with the Chicago Cubs as a free agent prior to the 1967 season, playing for that team through 1971.

Following his active career, he was a coach and minor league manager for the Chicago Cubs.^[7]

References

^ ^a ^b Career Statistics and Batting Game Logs at Baseball-Reference.com
^ "Player Draft Buffs Shine On Fading Ex Stars". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. 10 October 1961. p. 8. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
^ Charlton, James; Shatzkin, Mike; Holtje, Stephen (1990). The Ballplayers: Baseball's Ultimate Biographical Reference. New York City, New York: Arbor House/William Morrow and Company. p. 1025. ISBN 0-87795-984-6.
^ "Player Draft Buffs Shine On Fading Ex Stars". St. Joseph Gazette. Associated Press. 11 April 1962. p. 9. Retrieved 31 August 2011.
^ Spangler Cubs latest hitting star
^ Angels trade for Spangler
^ "Lockman Gets Reprieve As Cubs Start Shakeup". St. Petersburg Times. United Press International. 5 October 1973. p. 2-C. Retrieved 31 August 2011.

External links

Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
Retrosheet

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[data-1] Career Statistics and Batting Game Logs at Baseball-Reference.com

[2] "Player Draft Buffs Shine On Fading Ex Stars". Daytona Beach Morning Journal. Associated Press. 10 October 1961. p. 8. Retrieved 31 August 2011.

[Ballplayers-3] Charlton, James; Shatzkin, Mike; Holtje, Stephen (1990). The Ballplayers: Baseball's Ultimate Biographical Reference. New York City, New York: Arbor House/William Morrow and Company. p. 1025. ISBN 0-87795-984-6.

[4] "Player Draft Buffs Shine On Fading Ex Stars". St. Joseph Gazette. Associated Press. 11 April 1962. p. 9. Retrieved 31 August 2011.

[5] Spangler Cubs latest hitting star

[6] Angels trade for Spangler

[7] "Lockman Gets Reprieve As Cubs Start Shakeup". St. Petersburg Times. United Press International. 5 October 1973. p. 2-C. Retrieved 31 August 2011.

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