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{{short description|American baseball player (born 1962)}}
{{Other people2|Kevin Mitchell (disambiguation)}}
{{BLP sources|date=January 2009}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox MLB player
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name=Kevin Mitchell
|name=Kevin Mitchell
|image=Kevin Mitchell (27260923001) (cropped).jpg
|caption=Mitchell in 2016
|width=
|position=[[Left fielder]]
|position=[[Left fielder]]
|bats=Right
|bats=Right
|throws=Right
|throws=Right
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1962|1|13}}
|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1962|1|13}}
|birth_place=[[San Diego, California]]
|birth_place=[[San Diego, California]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
|debutdate=September 4
|debutdate=September 4
|debutyear=1984
|debutyear=1984
|debutteam=New York Mets
|debutteam=New York Mets
|final2league = MLB
|finaldate=August 3
|final2date=August 3
|finalyear=1998
|final2year=1998
|finalteam=Oakland Athletics
|final2team=Oakland Athletics
|stat1label=[[Batting average]]
|debut2league = NPB
|debut2date=April 1
|debut2year=1995
|debut2team=Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
|finalleague = NPB
|finaldate=August 8
|finalyear=1995
|finalteam=Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
|statleague = MLB
|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
|stat1value=.284
|stat1value=.284
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
|stat2label=[[Home run]]s
Line 20: Line 34:
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
|stat3value=760
|stat3value=760
|stat2league = NPB
|teams=<nowiki></nowiki>
|stat21label=Batting average
* [[New York Mets]] ({{By|1984}}, {{By|1986}})
|stat21value=.300
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{By|1987}})
|stat22label=Home runs
* [[San Francisco Giants]] ({{By|1987}}–{{By|1991}})
|stat22value=8
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{By|1992}})
|stat23label=Runs batted in
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{By|1993}}–{{By|1994}})
|stat23value=28
* [[Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks|Fukuoka Daiei Hawks]] ({{By|1995}})
|teams=
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{By|1996}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{By|1996}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|1984}}, {{mlby|1986}})
* [[Cleveland Indians]] ({{By|1997}})
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|1987}})
* [[Oakland Athletics]] ({{By|1998}})
* [[San Francisco Giants]] ({{mlby|1987}}–{{mlby|1991}})
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|1992}})
|highlights=<nowiki></nowiki>
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1993}}–{{mlby|1994}})
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selection ([[1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1989]], [[1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1990]])
* [[Fukuoka Daiei Hawks]] ({{npby|1995}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|1996}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1996}})
* [[Cleveland Indians]] ({{mlby|1997}})
* [[Oakland Athletics]] ({{mlby|1998}})
|highlights=
* 2× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1989 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1989]], [[1990 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1990]])
* [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|1986}})
* [[World Series]] champion ({{wsy|1986}})
* [[Silver Slugger Award]] winner (1989)
* [[NL MVP]] (1989)
* [[Silver Slugger Award]] (1989)
* 1989 [[NL MVP]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders|NL home run leader]] (1989)
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders|NL RBI leader]] (1989)
* [[San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame]]
}}
}}
'''Kevin Darnell Mitchell''' (born January 13, 1962 in [[San Diego, California]]) is a former [[United States|American]] [[Major League Baseball]] [[left fielder]]. He became widely known not only for his occasional brilliance on the field, but also for his unpredictable and sometimes volatile behavior off the field.
'''Kevin Darnell Mitchell''' (born January 13, 1962) is an American [[professional baseball]] [[left fielder]] who played in [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) and [[Nippon Professional Baseball]] from 1984 to 1998. Mitchell was a two-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|MLB All-Star]] and won the [[National League Most Valuable Player Award]] and [[Silver Slugger Award]] in 1989, when he led the league in [[home run]]s and [[runs batted in]].

==Early life==
Mitchell was born and raised in [[San Diego]] to Alma Mitchell, who worked as an electrician with the [[US Navy]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Reid |first=Tony |date=2024-11-12 |title=Former NL MVP Kevin Mitchell Talks Memorabilia |url=https://www.si.com/collectibles/inside-the-hobby/former-nl-mvp-kevin-mitchell-talks-emotional-reaction-to-seeing-cards-admiring-lawrence-taylor-jersey-collection |access-date=2025-01-09 |website=Collectibles On SI |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Belson |first=Ken |date=2016-05-07 |title=Thirty Years After Mets’ Title, Kevin Mitchell’s Story Still Involves Baseball |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/sports/baseball/thirty-years-after-mets-title-kevin-mitchells-story-still-involves-baseball.html |access-date=2025-01-09 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Alma separated from Mitchell's father, Earl, when Mitchell was two years old.<ref name="SI-Grandma">{{Cite magazine |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1989/06/26/granny-and-the-giant-san-franciscos-kevin-mitchell-leads-the-majors-in-homers-and-rbis-and-says-he-owes-it-all-to-his-grandmother |title=Granny and The Giant |last=Lidz |first=Franz |date=June 26, 1989 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |location=New York City |publisher=Time |access-date=September 26, 2024 }}</ref><ref name="seattletimes" /> He was raised by his mother and paternal grandmother, Josie Whitfield, who encouraged his participation in sports.<ref name="SI-Grandma" /><ref name="porter">{{cite book |last1=Porter |first1=David L. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=lHJrkIxwhMcC&pg=PA146 |title=Biographical Dictionary of American Sports: 1992-1995 supplement for baseball, football, basketball, and other sports |date=1995 |publisher=[[Greenwood Publishing Group]] |isbn=978-0-313-28431-1 |page=146 |language=en |access-date=December 31, 2022}}</ref> Because Mitchell struggled academically, he attended several high schools in San Diego including [[Lincoln High School (San Diego)|Lincoln High School]], [[Clairemont High School]] and [[Crawford High School (California)|Crawford High School]], where he claimed to have played [[water polo]]. Although he has been credited with graduating from Clairemont and has claimed to have been a high school [[American football|football]] star there, Mitchell only attended the school for two months in 1978. He was reportedly involved in street gangs as a youth, but has claimed he was never himself a member;<ref name="seattletimes">{{cite news |last=Sherwin |first=Bob |date=February 16, 1992 |title=Kevin Mitchell – At Home In The Hood – New Mariner Escaped Ghetto, Not Questions About Him And His Friends |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19920216/1475979/kevin-mitchell----at-home-in-the-hood----new-mariner-escaped-ghetto-not-questions-about-him-and-his-friends |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121003204426/http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19920216&slug=1475979 |archive-date=October 3, 2012 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |work=[[The Seattle Times]]}}</ref> he also claimed to have been shot three times in his youth.<ref name="porter" /><ref name="caring">{{cite news |last1=Moran |first1=Malcolm |date=May 15, 1989 |title=Caring Eyes Watch Over Mitchell |page=C1 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/15/sports/caring-eyes-watch-over-mitchell.html |access-date=December 31, 2022 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> His stepbrother, Donald, was killed in a gang fight.<ref name="tangled">{{cite news |last1=Appleman |first1=Marc |date=August 27, 1986 |title=Padres Can't Get Anybody Out; Mets Win on 21 Hits : What a Tangled Tale : Story of Mets' Mitchell Confusing, Controversial |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1986-08-27-sp-14299-story.html |access-date=December 30, 2017 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref>

Mitchell reportedly did not play high school baseball. He was signed by the [[New York Mets]] as an undrafted free agent following an open tryout at [[Grossmont College]]. He was given a $1,500 signing bonus plus $600 monthly in salary.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Curtis |first1=Jake |date=June 19, 1989 |title=From A Raw Prospect To A Rare Pro |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1989/06/19/from-a-raw-prospect-to-a-rare-pro/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171230115016/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1989-06-19/sports/8906190264_1_kevin-mitchell-rope-olsen |archive-date=December 30, 2017 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |work=[[Orlando Sentinel]] |publisher=[[San Francisco Chronicle]] |language=en}}</ref>


==Playing career==
==Playing career==
===New York Mets===
In ''Amazin''', [[Peter Golenbock]]'s oral history of the New York Mets, Hall of Fame catcher [[Gary Carter]] said he gave Mitchell the nickname "World" for his ability to play in the infield and outfield. Carter spoke fondly of Mitchell's talents.<ref>Golenbock, Peter. ''Amazin': The Miraculous History of New York's Most Beloved Baseball Team'' (Macmillan, 2003)</ref>


===New York Mets===
An [[urban legend]] involving Mitchell holds that during the Mets' championship run in {{By|1986}}, during an argument with his then live-in girlfriend, Mitchell [[Decapitation|decapitated]] her cat. The story first came to light in [[Dwight Gooden]]'s autobiography, ''Heat''. Gooden claimed that an enraged Mitchell held him hostage during the alleged cat incident. Mitchell responded to Gooden's accusations by accusing Gooden of fabricating the stories in an attempt to divert attention away from Gooden's personal problems.<ref>http://www.snopes.com/sports/baseball/mitchell.asp</ref>
In ''Amazin''', [[Peter Golenbock|Peter Golenbock's]] oral history of the New York Mets, Hall of Fame catcher [[Gary Carter]] said he gave Mitchell the nickname "World" for his ability to play in the infield and outfield. Carter spoke fondly of Mitchell's talents.<ref>Golenbock, Peter. ''Amazin': The Miraculous History of New York's Most Beloved Baseball Team'' ([[Macmillan Inc.|Macmillan]], 2003)</ref> Mitchell made his major league debut on September 4, 1984, against the [[St. Louis Cardinals]], appearing as a pinch hitter and flying out in his only plate appearance.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 4, 1984 |title=New York Mets vs St. Louis Cardinals Box Score: September 4, 1984 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SLN/SLN198409040.shtml |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> He batted .214 with an [[run batted in|RBI]] in seven games to finish the [[1984 Major League Baseball season|1984 season]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Kevin Mitchell |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/mitchke01.shtml |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>


In the famous tenth inning of Game 6 of the [[1986 World Series]], after [[Wally Backman]] and [[Keith Hernandez]] had been retired for the first two outs, Mitchell went to the clubhouse to make plane reservations for home in San Diego. However, he was called to [[pinch hit]] for reliever [[Rick Aguilera]] after [[Gary Carter]], the next hitter after Hernandez, singled. Mitchell, who had already gotten out of his uniform and had on his regular clothes, hurriedly put his uniform back on without his protective cup and went to the plate and singled.<ref>http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/01/13/baseball-digest-birthdays-kevin-mitchell/</ref> He would eventually score the tying run on [[Bob Stanley]]'s wild pitch to [[Mookie Wilson]].
After spending the 1985 season in the minor leagues, Mitchell returned to the Mets in {{Baseball year|1986}}, batting .277 with 12 [[home run]]s and 43 RBI in 108 games.<ref name=":0" /> In the tenth inning of Game 6 of the [[1986 World Series]], after [[Wally Backman]] and [[Keith Hernandez]] had been retired for the first two outs, Mitchell was called to [[pinch hit]] for reliever [[Rick Aguilera]] after [[Gary Carter]], the next hitter after Hernandez, singled. Mitchell, who had already gotten out of his uniform and had on his regular clothes, hurriedly put his uniform back on without his protective cup and went to the plate and singled. He would eventually score the tying run on [[Bob Stanley (baseball)|Bob Stanley]]'s wild pitch to [[Mookie Wilson]].<ref name="baseballdigest1">{{Cite web |last=Sharkey-Gotlieb |first=Simon |date=January 13, 2011 |title=Baseball Digest Birthdays: Kevin Mitchell |url=http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/01/13/baseball-digest-birthdays-kevin-mitchell/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110126045147/http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/01/13/baseball-digest-birthdays-kevin-mitchell/ |archive-date=January 26, 2011 |access-date=January 26, 2011 |website=[[Baseball Digest]]}}</ref> The Mets went on to win the game and series, giving Mitchell his only World Series ring.<ref>{{Cite web |title=1986 World Series - New York Mets over Boston Red Sox (4-3) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1986_WS.shtml |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name="MLB-Mets">{{Cite web |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/kevin-mitchell-reflects-on-baseball-career-with-mets |title=Mitchell's time with Mets was catalyst for fine MLB career |date=October 24, 2023 |last=Ladson |first=Bill |access-date=September 23, 2024 |website=MLB.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240112064051/https://www.mlb.com/news/kevin-mitchell-reflects-on-baseball-career-with-mets |archive-date=January 12, 2024 |url-status=live }}</ref>


In a July 2007 radio interview with local sports talk radio station [[KNBR]], Mitchell disputed that he was out of uniform at the time, and stated that he never wore a cup, even when playing infield. When asked why he never wore a cup, Mitchell responded, "I couldn’t find one big enough for my junk." The interviewer then commented that maybe the increased mobility helped Mitchell to make the famous 1989 barehanded catch of [[Ozzie Smith]]'s fly ball.<ref>http://www.baseballdigest.com/2011/01/13/baseball-digest-birthdays-kevin-mitchell/</ref>
In a July 2007 radio interview with San Francisco sports talk radio station [[KNBR (AM)|KNBR]], Mitchell disputed that he was out of uniform at the time, and stated that he never wore a cup, even when playing infield. When asked why he never wore a cup, Mitchell responded, "I couldn’t find one big enough for my junk." The interviewer then commented that maybe the increased mobility helped Mitchell to make the famous 1989 barehanded catch of [[Ozzie Smith]]'s fly ball.<ref name="baseballdigest1"/>


On December 11, 1986, the Mets traded Mitchell, [[Shawn Abner]], [[Stan Jefferson]], Kevin Armstrong, and Kevin Brown to the [[San Diego Padres]] for [[Kevin McReynolds]], [[Gene Walter]], and Adam Ging.<ref>{{cite web |last=Durso |first=Joseph |date=December 12, 1986 |title=Mets Trade Five for McReynolds in Eight-man Deal |page=D19 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1986/12/12/sports/mets-trade-five-for-mcreynolds-in-eight-man-deal.html |access-date=November 17, 2023 |work=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Mitchell played for the Padres for the first half of {{Baseball year|1987}}, batting .245 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 62 games.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="kbelson">{{Cite web |last=Belson |first=Ken |date=May 7, 2016 |title=Thirty Years After Mets' Title, Kevin Mitchell's Story Still Involves Baseball |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/05/08/sports/baseball/thirty-years-after-mets-title-kevin-mitchells-story-still-involves-baseball.html |access-date=July 8, 2024 |website=[[The New York Times]] |language=en-US}}</ref>
Mitchell was traded to the [[San Diego Padres]] after the 1986 season, where he played half a season before landing in [[San Francisco Giants|San Francisco]] where he would reach his full potential.


===San Francisco Giants===
===San Francisco Giants===
On July 4, {{By|1987}}, Mitchell was traded to the Giants as part of a multi-player trade that also sent pitchers [[Dave Dravecky]] and [[Craig Lefferts]] to San Francisco in exchange for third baseman [[Chris Brown (baseball)|Chris Brown]] and pitchers [[Keith Comstock]], [[Mark Davis (pitcher)|Mark Davis]], and [[Mark Grant]]. While Dravecky was initially considered to be the key to the trade for the Giants, it was Mitchell who emerged as a superstar.
On July 4, 1987, Mitchell was traded to the [[San Francisco Giants]] as part of a multi-player trade that also sent pitchers [[Dave Dravecky]] and [[Craig Lefferts]] to San Francisco in exchange for third baseman [[Chris Brown (baseball)|Chris Brown]] and pitchers [[Keith Comstock]], [[Mark Davis (pitcher)|Mark Davis]], and [[Mark Andrew Grant|Mark Grant]].<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=July 5, 1987 |title=Padres Send Dravecky and Mitchell to Giants for Brown in 7-Player Deal |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1987-07-05-sp-2402-story.html |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> While Dravecky was initially considered to be the key to the trade for the Giants, it was Mitchell who emerged as a star player. He hit .306 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI in 69 games with the Giants following the trade.<ref name=":0" /> In 1988, Mitchell hit .251 with 19 home runs and 80 RBI in 148 games.<ref name=":0" />


; Most Valuable Player
; Most Valuable Player
After two seasons playing primarily at third base, he had his best season with the Giants in {{By|1989}} upon being moved to the outfield. In that season, he [[batting average|batted]] .291 with a league-best 125 [[run batted in|RBI]] and 47 [[home run]]s, leading the team to the playoffs and winning the [[National League]]'s [[MLB Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] award, the first by a Giant since [[Willie McCovey]] in {{By|1969}}. He added a .353 average and 2 homers in the [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]] to help the team to its first [[1989 World Series|World Series]] appearance since [[1962 World Series|1962]].
After two seasons playing primarily at third base, Mitchell had his best season with the Giants in {{Baseball year|1989}} upon being moved to the outfield. In that season, he [[batting average (baseball)|batted]] .291 with a league-best 47 home runs and 125 RBI in 154 games, leading the team to the playoffs and winning the [[National League (baseball)|National League]]'s [[MLB Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]] award, the first by a Giant since [[Willie McCovey]] in {{Baseball year|1969}}.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Withers |first=Tom |date=November 21, 1989 |title=Urgent Mitchell named NL MVP |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/11/21/Urgent-Mitchell-named-NL-MVP/9724627627600/ |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[United Press International]] |language=en}}</ref> Mitchell was named to his first [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] team, and also led the majors in [[slugging percentage]] (.635), [[on-base plus slugging]] (1.023), [[total bases]] (345), and [[Intentional base on balls|intentional walks]] (32).<ref name=":0" />


In the 1989 postseason, Mitchell posted a .353 average, two home runs and 7 RBI in the [[National League Championship Series|NLCS]], helping the Giants to their first [[1989 World Series|World Series]] appearance since [[1962 World Series|1962]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=1989 NLCS - San Francisco Giants over Chicago Cubs (4-1) |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1989_NLCS.shtml |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Kevin Mitchell Postseason Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mitchke01&t=b&year=0&post=1 |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Mitchell hit safely in every game of the [[1989 World Series]], batting .294 with a home run, two runs scored, and 2 RBI in the [[Oakland Athletics]]' four-game sweep.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" />
Mitchell is the only player in Major League Baseball history to win a Most Valuable Player award and play for five major league teams before his 32nd birthday. Mitchell is also the only MVP award winner to play for eight major league teams in his career.


; The barehanded catch
; The barehanded catch
Mitchell set the tone for his charmed 1989 season early in the year with a unique defensive play. Sprinting toward the left field foul line in [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]]' [[Busch Stadium II|Busch Stadium]], for a ball off the bat of [[Ozzie Smith]], Mitchell realized he had overrun the ball, but was able to reach back and snare the ball with his barehand. Mitchell was unable to stop his momentum following the spectacular catch, but rather than crash into the wall, Mitchell had the good fortune to fly through an unlatched door leading under the stands, making the play all the more memorable.
Mitchell set the tone for his charmed 1989 season early in the year with a unique defensive play on April 26. Sprinting toward the left field foul line in [[St. Louis, Missouri|St. Louis]]'s [[Busch Stadium II|Busch Stadium]], for a ball off the bat of [[Ozzie Smith]], Mitchell realized he had overrun the ball, but was able to reach back and snare the ball with his bare hand.<ref>{{cite web |last=Stark |first=Jayson |date=May 2, 1989 |title=Kevin Mitchell Had A Hand In A Remarkable Catch |url=http://articles.philly.com/1989-05-02/sports/26112122_1_foul-balls-kevin-mitchell-phillies |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912114901/http://articles.philly.com/1989-05-02/sports/26112122_1_foul-balls-kevin-mitchell-phillies |archive-date=September 12, 2015 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |work=[[The Philadelphia Inquirer]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Cardillo |first=Mike |date=May 1, 2013 |title=MLB is Finally Uploading Content to YouTube, Here's Kevin Mitchell Making a Barehanded Catch |url=http://thebiglead.com/2013/05/01/mlb-is-finally-uploading-content-to-youtube-heres-kevin-mitchell-making-a-barehanded-catch-retro-video/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160806114607/http://thebiglead.com/2013/05/01/mlb-is-finally-uploading-content-to-youtube-heres-kevin-mitchell-making-a-barehanded-catch-retro-video/ |archive-date=August 6, 2016 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |website=[[The Big Lead]]}}</ref>


==== Remainder of Giants tenure ====
===Later years===
Mitchell made another All-Star team in {{Baseball year|1990}}, and finished the season batting .290 with 35 home runs and 93 RBI in 140 games.<ref name=":0" /> He ranked among the National League leaders in home runs (third), slugging percentage (.544, third), on-base plus slugging (.904, sixth), total bases (285, eighth), and [[extra-base hit]]s (61, ninth).<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=1990 National League Batting Leaders |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1990-batting-leaders.shtml |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> In {{Baseball year|1991}}, Mitchell hit .256 with 27 home runs and 69 RBI in 113 games.<ref name=":0" />
A two-time [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] with the Giants, later years saw his play decline due to an often indifferent attitude as well as various other distractions. One story making the rounds was an incident during the 1991 season in Los Angeles when an unnamed Giant player said he saw Mitchell "stone drunk" at 2 a.m. after a Saturday night game<ref>{{cite web|last=Sherwin|first=Bob|title=Kevin Mitchell -- At Home In The Hood -- New Mariner Escaped Ghetto, Not Questions About Him And His Friends|url=http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=19920216&slug=1475979|publisher=The Seattle Times|accessdate=02/16/1992}}</ref> . Traded to the Mariners after the {{By|1991}} season, he arrived at [[spring training]] the following year 30 pounds (14&nbsp;kg) overweight. He had a resurgence in {{By|1994}} with the Reds, batting .326 with 30 HRs and 77 RBI in just 310 at-bats in the [[1994 Major League Baseball strike|strike-shortened season]]; but he opted to play for the [[Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks|Fukuoka Daiei Hawks]] in [[Nippon Professional Baseball|Japan]] the following year, where he became the highest-paid player in Japanese history.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}} In Japan, he incurred the displeasure of team management when he chose to travel to the U.S. in mid-season for treatment of knee problems against the team's wishes.


===Later career===
In the next two years, he played for four major league teams (Cincinnati, Boston, Cleveland, Oakland), rarely showing his former ability.
On December 11, 1991, Mitchell and pitcher [[Mike Remlinger]] were traded to the [[Seattle Mariners]] in exchange for pitchers [[Bill Swift]], [[Mike Jackson (right-handed pitcher)|Mike Jackson]] and [[Dave Burba]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Judd |first=Ron |date=December 11, 1991 |title=M's Trade For Kevin Mitchell -- Deal Sends Swift, Jackson Burba To Giants |url=https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/?date=19911211&slug=1322302 |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[The Seattle Times]]}}</ref> Mitchell arrived at [[spring training]] 30 pounds (14&nbsp;kg) overweight, and struggled to begin the season, batting just .222 with two home runs and 20 RBI through the end of May.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=Kevin Mitchell 1992 Batting Game Logs |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=mitchke01&t=b&year=1992 |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref> Starting on June 1, Mitchell rebounded and batted .337 the rest of the way along with seven home runs and 47 RBI in his last 54 games.<ref name=":2" /> Overall, he batted .286 with nine home runs and 67 RBI in 99 games with the Mariners.<ref name=":0" />


On November 17, 1992, Mitchell was traded to the [[Cincinnati Reds]] for pitcher [[Norm Charlton]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 18, 1992 |title=Mitchell dealt for Charlton |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1992/11/18/mitchell-dealt-for-charlton/ |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Tampa Bay Times]] |language=en}}</ref> He had a resurgence in two seasons with the Reds, batting .341 with 19 home runs and 64 RBI in just 323 at-bats in 1993 and .323 with 30 home runs and 77 RBI in the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|strike-shortened 1994 season]].<ref name=":0" /> However, his weight problems kept him from being more productive. Because of the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|baseball strike]], he opted to play for the [[Fukuoka Daiei Hawks]] in [[Nippon Professional Baseball|Japan]] the following year,<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=February 23, 1995 |title=Former MVP Kevin Mitchell Latest to Grab Ball, Bat and Head to Japan |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-02-23-sp-35125-story.html |access-date= |website=[[Los Angeles Times]] |language=en-US |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> where he became the highest-paid player in Japanese history.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 26, 1995 |title=Kevin Mitchell Leaves Japan |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/460949/KEVIN-MITCHELL-LEAVES-JAPAN.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160701113535/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/460949/KEVIN-MITCHELL-LEAVES-JAPAN.html |archive-date=July 1, 2016 |website=[[Deseret News]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In Japan, he incurred the displeasure of team management when he chose to travel to the U.S. in mid-season for treatment of knee problems against the team's wishes. He spent only two months with the team.<ref>{{cite web |last=Costello |first=Rory |title=Brian Traxler |url=https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/brian-traxler/ |access-date=March 31, 2021 |work=[[Society for American Baseball Research]]}}</ref> It was discovered later that he did indeed need surgery on his knee.
Today, Mitchell lives in [[San Diego]] and plays in the San Diego Adult Baseball League for the championship team, the San Diego Black Sox, run by Mike Micheli.
Mitchell is listed as one of California's top delinquent taxpayers, with a $5,184,641.51 debt from a lien filed on July 6, 2000.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ftb.ca.gov/individuals/txdlnqnt.shtml|title=Delinquent Taxpayers|accessdate=2010-06-22}}</ref>


On March 8, 1996, Mitchell signed with the [[Boston Red Sox]] as a free agent.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chass |first=Murray |date=March 10, 1996 |title=Baseball; Yankees Can Feel The Power In Red Sox |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/03/10/sports/baseball-yankees-can-feel-the-power-in-red-sox.html |access-date=September 1, 2024 |work=[[The New York Times]] |at=sec. 8 p. 10 |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> He hit .304 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 27 games with Boston before being traded back to the Reds in exchange for infielder [[Roberto Mejía]] and pitcher Brad Tweedlie on July 30.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=July 30, 1996 |title=Reds {{as written|aq|uire [sic]}} Mitchell, unload Anthony |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1996/07/30/Reds-aquire-Mitchell-unload-Anthony/5749838699200/ |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[United Press International]] |language=en}}</ref> Mitchell batted .325 with six home runs and 26 RBI in 37 games for the Reds to close the season.<ref name=":0" />
==Arrests and suspension==
After being released for the last time, he was arrested in 1999 for assaulting his father during an argument.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://articles.latimes.com/1999/sep/01/sports/sp-5751 |title=Kevin Mitchell Attacks His Father |accessdate=2009-01-25 |author=Tony Perry |authorlink=Los Angeles Times |date=1999-09-01 |work=latimes.com}}</ref> Back in the minor leagues as manager of the Sonoma County Crushers in {{By|2000}}, he was suspended for nine games after punching the opposing team's owner in the mouth during a brawl.<ref>http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/26/former-padre-kevin-mitchell-arrested-in-battery-ca/</ref>


On December 13, 1996, Mitchell signed with the Cleveland Indians.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 14, 1996 |title=Indians Sign Ex-M's Reliever Mike Jackson |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/1996/dec/14/indians-sign-ex-ms-reliever-mike-jackson/ |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[The Spokesman-Review]] |agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> In May, after teammate [[Chad Curtis]] objected to lyrics of a [[rap]] song Mitchell was playing in the clubhouse, and shut off the clubhouse stereo, Curtis exchanged punches with Mitchell, who threw Curtis over a ping pong table.<ref name="BaltimoreSunFeb2005">{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Edward |date=February 9, 2005 |title=Sour notes in clubhouse |url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2005/02/09/sour-notes-in-clubhouse/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171120062911/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2005-02-09/sports/0502090099_1_clubhouse-curtis-music |archive-date=November 20, 2017 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |website=[[The Baltimore Sun]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carrillo |first=David |date=October 7, 2001 |title=Major-league teams boogie to their own music |url=https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2001/10/07/major-league-teams-boogie-to-their-own-music/62128063007/ |access-date=May 29, 2017 |website=[[The Oklahoman]] |language=en-US}}</ref> Curtis sustained a bruised right thumb in the fight, and was placed on the 15-day [[disabled list]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berger |first1=Ken |date=May 22, 1997 |title=Indians' Curtis injures thumb in scuffle with Mitchell |url=https://apnews.com/bade7ae8c8a1968c06d4fe53b81b53dd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204050307/https://apnews.com/article/bade7ae8c8a1968c06d4fe53b81b53dd |archive-date=December 4, 2020 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |website=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref> Mitchell was designated for assignment on May 24.<ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine |last=Verducci |first=Tom |date=June 16, 1997 |title=Livin' Large Oft-injured Kevin Mitchell Loves Toys and Clubhouse High Jinks, but the Former MVP Is Also a Guardian Angel--and More |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1997/06/16/livin-large-oftinjured-kevin-mitchell-loves-toys-and-clubhouse-high-jinks-but-the-former-mvp-is-also-a-guardian-angeland-more |access-date=September 1, 2024 |magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]}}</ref> At the time, he was batting just .153 with four home and 11 RBI in 20 games.<ref name=":0" /> Mitchell was released on June 3.<ref name=":3" />
In 2010, Mitchell was arrested for alleged misdemeanor battery at the Bonita Golf Club in [[Bonita, California]].<ref>http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/26/former-padre-kevin-mitchell-arrested-in-battery-ca/</ref>


Mitchell signed a minor league contract with the [[Oakland Athletics]] on March 9, 1998.<ref name=":0" /> After a strong spring training, he made the team's Opening Day roster.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=March 29, 1998 |title=Oakland's Mitchell Blossoming in the Spring |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1998/03/29/oaklands-mitchell-blossoming-in-the-spring/ |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Chicago Tribune]] |language=en-US}}</ref> On August 4, Mitchell was released by Oakland following their game that night.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kettmann |first=Steve |date=August 4, 1998 |title=A's Clubhouse / Veteran Mitchell Released After Game |url=https://www.sfgate.com/sports/article/A-S-CLUBHOUSE-Veteran-Mitchell-Released-After-2998881.php |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[SFGate]]}}</ref> He batted .228 with two home runs and 21 RBI in 51 games with the Athletics.<ref name=":0" /> Mitchell played the following two seasons in independent ball before officially retiring.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kevin Mitchell Minor, Japanese, Mexican & Independent Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=mitche002kev |access-date=September 1, 2024 |website=[[Baseball Reference]] |language=en}}</ref>
==Records==
In his 13-season career with eight teams, Mitchell batted .284, with 234 home runs, 760 runs batted in, 630 [[Run (baseball statistics)|runs scored]], 1,173 [[Hit (baseball statistics)|hits]], 224 [[Double (baseball)|doubles]] and 25 [[Triple (baseball)|triples]] in 1,223 games.


Since his retirement, Mitchell lives in [[San Diego]],<ref name="kbelson" /> and plays in the San Diego Adult Baseball League for the championship team, the San Diego Black Sox.
Mitchell's cousin, [[Keith Mitchell (baseball player)|Keith Mitchell]], also played in the major leagues for four different teams across four seasons (between 1991 and {{By|1998}}), ending his career with a .260 batting average and eight home runs.He is also known as Boogie Bear by his players on the Giants.


==Arrests and suspension==
==Injuries==
Mitchell was the subject of a rape investigation in [[Chula Vista, California]], in December 1991. No charges were filed.<ref name="kbelson" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-12-02-sp-648-story.html |title=Baseball: Outfielder arrested at his home in Chula Vista and released after posting $61,000 bail. |access-date=September 23, 2024 |author-link=Los Angeles Times |date=1991-12-02 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |first=Jonathan |last=Gaw }}</ref>
Mitchell sustained several unusual injuries during his career. He once strained a muscle while vomiting.<ref>Daughters, Howard. [http://www.funny2.com/baseball.htm "True Baseball Injuries," Funny2.com.]</ref> However, the most infamous of Mitchell's injuries occurred when he broke a tooth eating a frozen chocolate donut that he had put in the microwave too long and had hardened. The incident is said to have led to Mitchell's needing a [[root canal]], and he was later fitted with a gold tooth as the replacement.{{Citation needed|date=August 2008}}

After being released from Major League Baseball for the last time, he was arrested in 1999 for assaulting his father during an argument.<ref>{{cite news |author=Perry |first=Tony |date=September 1, 1999 |title=Kevin Mitchell Attacks His Father |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-sep-01-sp-5751-story.html |access-date=January 25, 2009 |work=[[Los Angeles Times]]}}</ref> In the [[independent baseball|independent leagues]] as manager of the [[Sonoma County Crushers]] in {{Baseball year|2000}}, he was suspended for nine games after punching the opposing team's owner in the mouth during a brawl.<ref name="signonsandiego1">{{cite web |last1=Baker |first1=Debbi |last2=Repard |first2=Pauline |date=July 26, 2010 |title=Former Padre Kevin Mitchell arrested in battery case |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/2010/jul/26/former-padre-kevin-mitchell-arrested-in-battery-ca/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101121003944/http://www.signonsandiego.com:80/news/2010/jul/26/former-padre-kevin-mitchell-arrested-in-battery-ca |archive-date=November 21, 2010 |access-date=June 29, 2024 |website=[[The San Diego Union-Tribune]]}}</ref> In 2010, Mitchell was arrested for alleged misdemeanor battery at the Bonita Golf Club in [[Bonita, California]].<ref name="signonsandiego1" /> He was ordered to perform community service and attend anger management classes.<ref name="kbelson" />

== Career in review ==
In his 13-season career with eight teams, Mitchell batted .284 with 234 home runs, 760 runs batted in, 630 [[Run (baseball)|runs scored]], 1,173 [[Hit (baseball)|hits]], 224 [[Double (baseball)|doubles]], 25 [[Triple (baseball)|triples]] and 491 [[bases on balls]] in 1,223 games.<ref name=":0" />

Mitchell's cousin, [[Keith Mitchell (baseball)|Keith Mitchell]], also played in the major leagues for four teams across four seasons (between 1991 and {{Baseball year|1998}}), ending his career with a .260 batting average and eight home runs.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Keith Mitchell #17 |url=https://www.mlb.com/player/keith-mitchell-119194 |access-date=August 11, 2022 |website=[[MLB.com]] |language=en}}</ref>


==See also==
== See also ==
* [[List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball RBI champions]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual runs batted in leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball home run champions]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball annual home run leaders]]


==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist|30em}}


==External links==
==External links==
* {{Baseballstats |mlb= |espn= |br=m/mitchke01 |fangraphs=1009004 |cube=kevin-mitchell}}
{{baseballstats|mlb=119195 |espn=1453|br=m/mitchke01 |fangraphs=1009004 |brm=mitche002kev|retro=}}
* [http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/M/Mitchell_Kevin.stm Page at ''Baseball Library'']
* [http://www.snopes.com/sports/baseball/mitchell.asp Urban Legends Reference Page: Sports (Kevin Mitchell)]

{{s-start-collapsible|header={{S-ach}}}}
{{Succession box| title=[[List of Major League Baseball home run champions|National League Home Run Champion]] | before=[[Darryl Strawberry]] | years=1989| after=[[Ryne Sandberg]]}}
{{Succession box| title=[[List of Major League Baseball RBI champions|National League RBI Champion]] | before= [[Will Clark]]| years=1989 | after= [[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]]}}
{{Succession box| before = [[Kirk Gibson]] | title = [[MLB Most Valuable Player Award|National League Most Valuable Player]] | years = 1989 | after = [[Barry Bonds]]}}
{{S-end}}


{{NL OF Silver Slugger Award}}
{{NL OF Silver Slugger Award}}
{{NL MVPs}}
{{NL MVPs}}
{{NL home run champions}}
{{NL RBI champions}}
{{The Sporting News MLB Player of the Year Award}}
{{1986 New York Mets}}
{{1986 New York Mets}}
{{San Francisco Giants Wall of Fame}}
{{Authority control}}


{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->
| NAME = Mitchell, Kevin
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = January 13, 1962
| PLACE OF BIRTH = [[San Diego, California]]
| DATE OF DEATH =
| PLACE OF DEATH =
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchell, Kevin}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Mitchell, Kevin}}
[[Category:Major League Baseball left fielders]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American baseball coaches]]
[[Category:African-American baseball players]]
[[Category:Águilas Cibaeñas players]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Canada]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Japan]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico]]
[[Category:Baseball coaches from California]]
[[Category:Baseball players from San Diego]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Indians players]]
[[Category:Cleveland Indians players]]
[[Category:Edmonton Trappers players]]
[[Category:Fukuoka Daiei Hawks players]]
[[Category:Ganaderos de Tabasco players]]
[[Category:Jackson Mets players]]
[[Category:Kingsport Mets players]]
[[Category:Lincoln Saltdogs players]]
[[Category:Lynchburg Mets players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball left fielders]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:National League home run champions]]
[[Category:National League Most Valuable Player Award winners]]
[[Category:National League RBI champions]]
[[Category:New York Mets players]]
[[Category:New York Mets players]]
[[Category:Oakland Athletics players]]
[[Category:Oakland Athletics players]]
[[Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres players]]
[[Category:San Francisco Giants players]]
[[Category:San Francisco Giants players]]
[[Category:Seattle Mariners players]]
[[Category:Seattle Mariners players]]
[[Category:National League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Silver Slugger Award winners]]
[[Category:Baseball players from California]]
[[Category:Sonoma County Crushers players]]
[[Category:African American baseball players]]
[[Category:Tidewater Tides players]]
[[Category:National League home run champions]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:National League RBI champions]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:American expatriate baseball players in Japan]]
[[Category:American shooting survivors]]
[[Category:Fukuoka Daiei Hawks players]]
[[Category:Edmonton Trappers players]]
[[Category:People from San Diego, California]]
[[Category:Águilas Cibaeñas players]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]

[[ja:ケビン・ミッチェル]]

Latest revision as of 22:29, 9 January 2025

Kevin Mitchell
Mitchell in 2016
Left fielder
Born: (1962-01-13) January 13, 1962 (age 63)
San Diego, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: September 4, 1984, for the New York Mets
NPB: April 1, 1995, for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
Last appearance
NPB: August 8, 1995, for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks
MLB: August 3, 1998, for the Oakland Athletics
MLB statistics
Batting average.284
Home runs234
Runs batted in760
NPB statistics
Batting average.300
Home runs8
Runs batted in28
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Kevin Darnell Mitchell (born January 13, 1962) is an American professional baseball left fielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball from 1984 to 1998. Mitchell was a two-time MLB All-Star and won the National League Most Valuable Player Award and Silver Slugger Award in 1989, when he led the league in home runs and runs batted in.

Early life

[edit]

Mitchell was born and raised in San Diego to Alma Mitchell, who worked as an electrician with the US Navy.[1][2] Alma separated from Mitchell's father, Earl, when Mitchell was two years old.[3][4] He was raised by his mother and paternal grandmother, Josie Whitfield, who encouraged his participation in sports.[3][5] Because Mitchell struggled academically, he attended several high schools in San Diego including Lincoln High School, Clairemont High School and Crawford High School, where he claimed to have played water polo. Although he has been credited with graduating from Clairemont and has claimed to have been a high school football star there, Mitchell only attended the school for two months in 1978. He was reportedly involved in street gangs as a youth, but has claimed he was never himself a member;[4] he also claimed to have been shot three times in his youth.[5][6] His stepbrother, Donald, was killed in a gang fight.[7]

Mitchell reportedly did not play high school baseball. He was signed by the New York Mets as an undrafted free agent following an open tryout at Grossmont College. He was given a $1,500 signing bonus plus $600 monthly in salary.[8]

Playing career

[edit]

New York Mets

[edit]

In Amazin', Peter Golenbock's oral history of the New York Mets, Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter said he gave Mitchell the nickname "World" for his ability to play in the infield and outfield. Carter spoke fondly of Mitchell's talents.[9] Mitchell made his major league debut on September 4, 1984, against the St. Louis Cardinals, appearing as a pinch hitter and flying out in his only plate appearance.[10] He batted .214 with an RBI in seven games to finish the 1984 season.[11]

After spending the 1985 season in the minor leagues, Mitchell returned to the Mets in 1986, batting .277 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI in 108 games.[11] In the tenth inning of Game 6 of the 1986 World Series, after Wally Backman and Keith Hernandez had been retired for the first two outs, Mitchell was called to pinch hit for reliever Rick Aguilera after Gary Carter, the next hitter after Hernandez, singled. Mitchell, who had already gotten out of his uniform and had on his regular clothes, hurriedly put his uniform back on without his protective cup and went to the plate and singled. He would eventually score the tying run on Bob Stanley's wild pitch to Mookie Wilson.[12] The Mets went on to win the game and series, giving Mitchell his only World Series ring.[13][14]

In a July 2007 radio interview with San Francisco sports talk radio station KNBR, Mitchell disputed that he was out of uniform at the time, and stated that he never wore a cup, even when playing infield. When asked why he never wore a cup, Mitchell responded, "I couldn’t find one big enough for my junk." The interviewer then commented that maybe the increased mobility helped Mitchell to make the famous 1989 barehanded catch of Ozzie Smith's fly ball.[12]

On December 11, 1986, the Mets traded Mitchell, Shawn Abner, Stan Jefferson, Kevin Armstrong, and Kevin Brown to the San Diego Padres for Kevin McReynolds, Gene Walter, and Adam Ging.[15] Mitchell played for the Padres for the first half of 1987, batting .245 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 62 games.[11][16]

San Francisco Giants

[edit]

On July 4, 1987, Mitchell was traded to the San Francisco Giants as part of a multi-player trade that also sent pitchers Dave Dravecky and Craig Lefferts to San Francisco in exchange for third baseman Chris Brown and pitchers Keith Comstock, Mark Davis, and Mark Grant.[17] While Dravecky was initially considered to be the key to the trade for the Giants, it was Mitchell who emerged as a star player. He hit .306 with 15 home runs and 44 RBI in 69 games with the Giants following the trade.[11] In 1988, Mitchell hit .251 with 19 home runs and 80 RBI in 148 games.[11]

Most Valuable Player

After two seasons playing primarily at third base, Mitchell had his best season with the Giants in 1989 upon being moved to the outfield. In that season, he batted .291 with a league-best 47 home runs and 125 RBI in 154 games, leading the team to the playoffs and winning the National League's Most Valuable Player award, the first by a Giant since Willie McCovey in 1969.[11][18] Mitchell was named to his first All-Star team, and also led the majors in slugging percentage (.635), on-base plus slugging (1.023), total bases (345), and intentional walks (32).[11]

In the 1989 postseason, Mitchell posted a .353 average, two home runs and 7 RBI in the NLCS, helping the Giants to their first World Series appearance since 1962.[19][20] Mitchell hit safely in every game of the 1989 World Series, batting .294 with a home run, two runs scored, and 2 RBI in the Oakland Athletics' four-game sweep.[11][20]

The barehanded catch

Mitchell set the tone for his charmed 1989 season early in the year with a unique defensive play on April 26. Sprinting toward the left field foul line in St. Louis's Busch Stadium, for a ball off the bat of Ozzie Smith, Mitchell realized he had overrun the ball, but was able to reach back and snare the ball with his bare hand.[21][22]

Remainder of Giants tenure

[edit]

Mitchell made another All-Star team in 1990, and finished the season batting .290 with 35 home runs and 93 RBI in 140 games.[11] He ranked among the National League leaders in home runs (third), slugging percentage (.544, third), on-base plus slugging (.904, sixth), total bases (285, eighth), and extra-base hits (61, ninth).[11][23] In 1991, Mitchell hit .256 with 27 home runs and 69 RBI in 113 games.[11]

Later career

[edit]

On December 11, 1991, Mitchell and pitcher Mike Remlinger were traded to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitchers Bill Swift, Mike Jackson and Dave Burba.[24] Mitchell arrived at spring training 30 pounds (14 kg) overweight, and struggled to begin the season, batting just .222 with two home runs and 20 RBI through the end of May.[25] Starting on June 1, Mitchell rebounded and batted .337 the rest of the way along with seven home runs and 47 RBI in his last 54 games.[25] Overall, he batted .286 with nine home runs and 67 RBI in 99 games with the Mariners.[11]

On November 17, 1992, Mitchell was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for pitcher Norm Charlton.[26] He had a resurgence in two seasons with the Reds, batting .341 with 19 home runs and 64 RBI in just 323 at-bats in 1993 and .323 with 30 home runs and 77 RBI in the strike-shortened 1994 season.[11] However, his weight problems kept him from being more productive. Because of the baseball strike, he opted to play for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in Japan the following year,[27] where he became the highest-paid player in Japanese history.[28] In Japan, he incurred the displeasure of team management when he chose to travel to the U.S. in mid-season for treatment of knee problems against the team's wishes. He spent only two months with the team.[29] It was discovered later that he did indeed need surgery on his knee.

On March 8, 1996, Mitchell signed with the Boston Red Sox as a free agent.[30] He hit .304 with two home runs and 13 RBI in 27 games with Boston before being traded back to the Reds in exchange for infielder Roberto Mejía and pitcher Brad Tweedlie on July 30.[11][31] Mitchell batted .325 with six home runs and 26 RBI in 37 games for the Reds to close the season.[11]

On December 13, 1996, Mitchell signed with the Cleveland Indians.[32] In May, after teammate Chad Curtis objected to lyrics of a rap song Mitchell was playing in the clubhouse, and shut off the clubhouse stereo, Curtis exchanged punches with Mitchell, who threw Curtis over a ping pong table.[33][34] Curtis sustained a bruised right thumb in the fight, and was placed on the 15-day disabled list.[35] Mitchell was designated for assignment on May 24.[36] At the time, he was batting just .153 with four home and 11 RBI in 20 games.[11] Mitchell was released on June 3.[36]

Mitchell signed a minor league contract with the Oakland Athletics on March 9, 1998.[11] After a strong spring training, he made the team's Opening Day roster.[37] On August 4, Mitchell was released by Oakland following their game that night.[38] He batted .228 with two home runs and 21 RBI in 51 games with the Athletics.[11] Mitchell played the following two seasons in independent ball before officially retiring.[39]

Since his retirement, Mitchell lives in San Diego,[16] and plays in the San Diego Adult Baseball League for the championship team, the San Diego Black Sox.

Arrests and suspension

[edit]

Mitchell was the subject of a rape investigation in Chula Vista, California, in December 1991. No charges were filed.[16][40]

After being released from Major League Baseball for the last time, he was arrested in 1999 for assaulting his father during an argument.[41] In the independent leagues as manager of the Sonoma County Crushers in 2000, he was suspended for nine games after punching the opposing team's owner in the mouth during a brawl.[42] In 2010, Mitchell was arrested for alleged misdemeanor battery at the Bonita Golf Club in Bonita, California.[42] He was ordered to perform community service and attend anger management classes.[16]

Career in review

[edit]

In his 13-season career with eight teams, Mitchell batted .284 with 234 home runs, 760 runs batted in, 630 runs scored, 1,173 hits, 224 doubles, 25 triples and 491 bases on balls in 1,223 games.[11]

Mitchell's cousin, Keith Mitchell, also played in the major leagues for four teams across four seasons (between 1991 and 1998), ending his career with a .260 batting average and eight home runs.[43]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Reid, Tony (November 12, 2024). "Former NL MVP Kevin Mitchell Talks Memorabilia". Collectibles On SI. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
  2. ^ Belson, Ken (May 7, 2016). "Thirty Years After Mets' Title, Kevin Mitchell's Story Still Involves Baseball". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 9, 2025.
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