Chris Speier

Last updated

Chris Speier
2013 05 18 061 Reds Chris Speier.jpg
Speier as a Cincinnati Reds coach in 2013
Shortstop
Born: (1950-06-28) June 28, 1950 (age 74)
Alameda, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
April 7, 1971, for the San Francisco Giants
Last MLB appearance
October 1, 1989, for the San Francisco Giants

2000 Milwaukee Brewers Third Base Coach Wearing #43

2001 Arizona Diamondbacks Third Base Coach Wearing #35

2004 Oakland Athletics Bench Coach Wearing #46

2005-2006 Chicago Cubs Third Base Coach Wearing #35

2008-2013 Cincinnati Reds bench coach wearing #35/interim third base coach in 2013 when Mark Berry was receiving treatment for throat cancer

2016-2017 Washington Nationals Bench Coach Wearing #35

2020 Houston Astros Quality Control Coach Wearing #36

Speier was a coach on the World Series champion Arizona Diamondbacks in 2001. He was the third base coach for the Chicago Cubs from 2005 to 2006.

Speier was signed by the Cincinnati Reds on October 29, 2007, as an infield coach and served as the Reds' bench coach. He also filled in when manager Dusty Baker was hospitalized in Chicago in September 2012 – this was when they clinched a playoff berth. [4] He was replaced as the bench coach by Jay Bell when Baker was fired, but stayed on in the Reds organization as a Special Assistant to General Manager Walt Jocketty.

When Baker became the manager of the Washington Nationals before the 2016 season, Speier was named bench coach; his contract expired after the 2017 season. [5]

Career statistics

YearsGames PA AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO AVG OBP SLG FLD%
19226081557156770175930250112720847988.246.327.349.971

Speier also played 185 games at third base, 138 at second base, and 2 at first base. In the post-season covering 17 games (1971, 1981, 1987 NLCS) he batted .280 (14-for-50) with 8 runs, 1 home run, and 4 RBI.

Personal life

Speier was born and raised in Alameda, California, also the hometown of Major Leaguers Willie Stargell, Dontrelle Willis and Jimmy Rollins. He graduated from Alameda High School.

Speier is the father of former MLB relief pitcher Justin Speier and the uncle of Gabe Speier.

Speier converted to Catholicism after meeting his now ex-wife and became an activist in the pro-life movement. In 1993, he was the principal of the religious Ville de Marie Academy in Scottsdale, Arizona. [6] The school was not accredited by the state nor was it affiliated with the local diocese.

See also

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References

  1. Shea, John. "Reds' Speier bonds with Giants' Crawford," San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, October 11, 2012. Retrieved October 23, 2020
  2. "1970 Major League Baseball Draft". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved August 30, 2018.
  3. "Speier of Giants Traded To the Expos for Foli," The Associated Press (AP), Tuesday, April 26, 1977. Retrieved October 23, 2020
  4. "Baker stays in Chicago hospital to receive fluids". www.Reds.com. Archived from the original on September 22, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  5. Adams, Steve (October 20, 2017). "Dusty Baker Will Not Return As Nationals' Manager In 2018". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved October 20, 2017.
  6. Dave Walker (February 17, 1993). "Good Book Great Books Shortstop Turned Principal Chris Speier Still Believes in Fundamentals". Phfoenix New Times News.

Further reading

Awards and achievements
Preceded by Hitting for the cycle
July 20, 1978
July 9, 1988
Succeeded by
Preceded by Willie Mac Award
1987
Succeeded by
Sporting positions
Preceded by Chicago Cubs third base coach
2005–2006
Succeeded by