Tom Goodwin
Encyclopedia
Thomas Jones Goodwin (born July 27, 1968 in Fresno, California
) is a former Major League Baseball
player. He attended Central High School in Fresno, and then went on to play for Fresno State University. He is currently the first base coach with the New York Mets
.
drafted Goodwin, who was an outfielder
, in the 6th round (134th overall). He opted not to sign. In , he was a member of the gold winning United States
baseball team at the 1988 Olympics
in Seoul
. Because of this, he decided to wait until to sign with a team, which is when he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers
, after being drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall).
At 6'1", Goodwin was only 175 pounds, which gave him an advantage over his heavier teammates. He developed a forté in base stealing
. He ended up spending only three seasons in the minors (all of which he stole over 45 bases) before making his Major League debut on September 1, 1991, at the age of 23.
Some of his major league career highlights include the 369 bases he stole over 14 years in the Major Leagues with the Dodgers, Kansas City Royals
, Texas Rangers
, Colorado Rockies
, San Francisco Giants
and Chicago Cubs
, a career high 66 stolen bases with the Diamondbacks in , and a .290 batting average
with the Rangers in . Tom had a pretty impressive year when it came to home run
s in -not because he hit so many, but because of what kind of home runs they were. One of his six home runs occurred on April 5-it was an inside-the-parker
against the Braves
. On April 30 against the Mets
, he hit a grand slam
, and on July 17 against the Athletics
, he hit another grand slam.
His career statistics draw comparisons to those of Billy North
, a former Oakland Athletic.
He last played major league baseball in , but he played in the independent Atlantic League
in for the Atlantic City Surf
.
and has been named to the 2008 coaching staff of the Lowell Spinners, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
.
On October 29, 2011 Tom was named the first base coach for the Mets replacing former coach Mookie Wilson
.
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
) is a former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player. He attended Central High School in Fresno, and then went on to play for Fresno State University. He is currently the first base coach with the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
.
Professional career
In , the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
drafted Goodwin, who was an outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
, in the 6th round (134th overall). He opted not to sign. In , he was a member of the gold winning United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
baseball team at the 1988 Olympics
1988 Summer Olympics
The 1988 Summer Olympics, officially known as the Games of the XXIV Olympiad, were an all international multi-sport events celebrated from September 17 to October 2, 1988 in Seoul, South Korea. They were the second summer Olympic Games to be held in Asia and the first since the 1964 Summer Olympics...
in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
. Because of this, he decided to wait until to sign with a team, which is when he decided to sign with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
, after being drafted in the 1st round (22nd overall).
At 6'1", Goodwin was only 175 pounds, which gave him an advantage over his heavier teammates. He developed a forté in base stealing
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
. He ended up spending only three seasons in the minors (all of which he stole over 45 bases) before making his Major League debut on September 1, 1991, at the age of 23.
Some of his major league career highlights include the 369 bases he stole over 14 years in the Major Leagues with the Dodgers, Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
and Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, a career high 66 stolen bases with the Diamondbacks in , and a .290 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
with the Rangers in . Tom had a pretty impressive year when it came to home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s in -not because he hit so many, but because of what kind of home runs they were. One of his six home runs occurred on April 5-it was an inside-the-parker
Inside-the-park home run
In baseball parlance, an inside-the-park home run, "leg home run", or "quadruple", is a play where a batter hits a home run without hitting the ball out of play.-Discussion:...
against the Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. On April 30 against the Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, he hit a grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
, and on July 17 against the Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, he hit another grand slam.
His career statistics draw comparisons to those of Billy North
Billy North
William Alex North is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. From 1971 to 1981, he played for the Chicago Cubs , Oakland Athletics , Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants...
, a former Oakland Athletic.
He last played major league baseball in , but he played in the independent Atlantic League
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
in for the Atlantic City Surf
Atlantic City Surf
The Atlantic City Surf were a professional baseball team based in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Surf was most recently a member of the Can-Am League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
.
Post playing career
Since retiring as a player, Goodwin has managed the Lewisville LizardsLewisville Lizards
The Lewisville Lizards were a team of the Continental Baseball League, based in Lewisville, Texas. The team was not affiliated with Major or Minor League Baseball. They played their home games at Farmers Field in the 2007 season.-Year-by-year record:...
and has been named to the 2008 coaching staff of the Lowell Spinners, a minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
.
On October 29, 2011 Tom was named the first base coach for the Mets replacing former coach Mookie Wilson
Mookie Wilson
William Hayward "Mookie" Wilson is an American former Major League Baseball center fielder and current coach for the New York Mets. He played 12 years in baseball for the New York Mets and Toronto Blue Jays . He was a switch hitter primarily known for his impressive speed and positive attitude...
.
Major Transactions
- July 25, 1997 – sent to Rangers from Royals for third basemanThird basemanA third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Dean PalmerDean PalmerDean William Palmer is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who had a 14-year career from 1989 to 2003...
. - July 31, 2000 – sent to Dodgers from Rockies for outfielder Todd HollandsworthTodd HollandsworthTodd Mathew Hollandsworth is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played with the Los Angeles Dodgers , Colorado Rockies , Texas Rangers , Florida Marlins , Chicago Cubs , Atlanta Braves , Cleveland Indians , and Cincinnati Reds...
and minor leaguers Kevin Gibbs and Randy Dorame.
Honors and awards
- In 1989, he was a member of Baseball AmericaBaseball AmericaBaseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
's Short SeasonShort seasonShort season refers to a form of class A minor league baseball in which only about 75 games are played each season, as opposed to the typical 140 games for an affiliated minor league team at a higher level...
All-Star Team and a member of the Pioneer League All-Star Team. - In 1990, he was a member of the Texas LeagueTexas LeagueThe Texas League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the South Central United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The league was founded in 1888 and ran through 1892...
All-Star Team. - Goodwin was a two-time all-America selection at Fresno State University and he was also named to The Sporting NewsThe Sporting NewsSporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
' college all-America team in 1989. - Goodwin recorded his 1000th career hitHit (baseball)In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
off of Mike GalloMike GalloMichael Dwain Gallo is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Biography:...
on August 20, 2003 (vs. Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
).