O.J. Simpson-- not a Jew!
But guess who is...Hall of Famer Rod Carew (he converted!)
Adam Sandler, "The Chanukah Song"
One of the greatest hitters of the modern era, Rod Carew redefined contact hitting. Not blessed with incredible power, he instead used his lightning quickness to win 7 batting titles. A first-year inductee to the Hall of Fame, Carew's playing career is a testament to quick hands, quick feet, and quick eyes.
Before Baseball
"I ... remember how much fun I had as a skinny barefoot kid with a broomstick on a quiet, dusty street in Panama."
Rodney Cline Carew was born October 1, 1945, in Gatun, Panama on a train (that's right - a train). He was actually named for the doctor who helped deliver him. Carew spent most of his time playing baseball in Gatun, often using a broomstick and a rolled up sock to play. At the age of 16, he moved in with his godmother near the Polo Grounds in New York City. Like many other boys, Rod played stickball in the streets, but his ability and speed led him to a minor league contract at the age or 19.
The Big Leagues
"Your first hit in the majors - that's tops."
Carew was called up by the Minnesota Twins during spring training of 1967, where he batted .444 and earned a spot on the team. He went 2-for 4 in his first game, launching a career unparalleled by all but the best hitters of the game. After the first hit, Carew said, "then you can get the rest." He was named to the All-Star team, the first of 18 consecutive All-Star appearances. That year, he was also named American League Rookie Of The Year.
In both 1968 and 1969 Carew served in the United States Marine Reserve, which limited his playing time, but not his abilities; he won his first batting title in 1969 (though he struggled in the Twins' playoff loss). In 1969, he also had the rare distinction of stealing home 7 times - a feat only matched by the legendary Ty Cobb. Carew stole home 17 times in his career. In 1970, the second baseman was bowled over while covering the base and suffered torn cartilage, missing most of the season, although he still batted .366.
Dominance
"He's the only guy I know who can go four for three."
Alan Bannerman, opponent
From 1972 until 1978, Carew won 6 of the 7 American League batting titles, losing only once, in 1976 on the last day of the season to George Brett. He also led the league in triples twice.
Carew's best year in the majors was 1977. He batted an astounding career-high .388 (staying above .400 into August), and matched or surpassed career highs in hits, runs, doubles, triples, home runs, and RBIs. Although his hapless Twins came nowhere near winning a pennant, Carew was named American League MVP.
The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same
"Griffith is horse spit."
By 1978, Carew was fed up with the penny-pinching tactics of the Minnesota Twins, and in particular, their owner Calvin Griffith, who also had made some questionable comments about black fans. He demanded a trade at the end of a season, and was dealt to the California Angels during spring training of 1979.
Carew picked up where he left off, batting .300 over the next 5 years and batting .412 in the 1979 American League Championship Series, although the Angels still fell to the Baltimore Orioles. In 1982, he batted .500 through the first 31 games, causing a major sensation (he eventually finished with only a .319 average). Carew retired in 1985, and was elected into the Major League Baseball Hall Of Fame in 1991.
After Baseball
"Hitting is an art, but not an exact science."
Carew continued in baseball after his retirement, becoming hitting coach for the California Angels in 1992 and then the Milwaukee Brewers in 2000. He resigned from that position in 2001, and currently resides outside of Minneapolis, Minnesota, with his wife.
Odds and Ends
- On May 18, 1969, Carew stole second base, third base, and home - in the same inning.
- On May 20, 1970, Carew hit for the cycle, the first Twin to do so.
- In 1972, Rod Carew led the league in batting average - without hitting a single home run. This feat will probably never be repeated without a return to the deadball era. (Thanks to BrooksMarlin!)
- On June 26, 1977, every fan at the Minnesota game received a Rod Carew jersey. In response, Carew went 4 for 5 with a grand slam (one of only 92 home runs in his career.)
Lifetime Statistics
YEAR TEAM G AB R H D T HR RBI SB CS BB K BA
1967 MIN AL 137 514 66 150 22 7 8 51 5 9 37 91 .292
1968 MIN AL 127 461 46 126 27 2 1 42 12 4 26 71 .273
1969 MIN AL 123 458 79 152 30 4 8 56 19 8 37 72 .332
1970 MIN AL 51 191 27 70 12 3 4 28 4 6 11 28 .366
1971 MIN AL 147 577 88 177 16 10 2 48 6 7 45 81 .307
1972 MIN AL 142 535 61 170 21 6 0 51 12 6 43 60 .318
1973 MIN AL 149 580 98 203 30 11 6 62 41 16 62 55 .350
1974 MIN AL 153 599 86 218 30 5 3 55 38 16 74 49 .364
1975 MIN AL 143 535 89 192 24 4 14 80 35 9 64 40 .359
1976 MIN AL 156 605 97 200 29 12 9 90 49 22 67 52 .331
1977 MIN AL 155 616 128 239 38 16 14 100 23 13 69 55 .388
1978 MIN AL 152 564 85 188 26 10 5 70 27 7 78 62 .333
1979 CAL AL 110 409 78 130 15 3 3 44 18 8 73 46 .318
1980 CAL AL 144 540 74 179 34 7 3 59 23 15 59 38 .331
1981 CAL AL 93 364 57 111 17 1 2 21 16 9 45 45 .305
1982 CAL AL 138 523 88 167 25 5 3 44 10 17 67 49 .319
1983 CAL AL 129 472 66 160 24 2 2 44 6 7 57 48 .339
1984 CAL AL 93 329 42 97 8 1 3 31 4 3 40 39 .295
1985 CAL AL 127 443 69 124 17 3 2 39 5 5 64 47 .280
CAREER 2469 9315 1424 3053 445 112 92 1015 353 187 1018 1028 .328
* Bold denotes led league. Not eligible in 1970.
Sources
- TheBaseballPage.com - http://www.thebaseballpage.com/past/pp/carewrod/default.htm
- Baseball-Reference.com - http://www.baseball-reference.com/c/carewro01.shtml
- BaseballLibrary.com - http://www.pubdim.net/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/C/Carew_Rod.stm
Further Reading
- Carew, by Rod Carew.
- Rod Carew: A Promise And A Dream, by James Hahn.
- Rod Carew: Master Hitter, by Bill Libby.
- Rod Carew's Art and Science of Hitting, by Rod Carew. This is by far the best book on good stances and how to spot a good pitch.
"I've got mad hits like I was Rod Carew"
Beastie Boys, "Sure Shot", Ill Communication
Roy Campanella | Max Carey
Hall Of Fame Index