D. J. Dozier

Last updated

D. J. Dozier
No. 42
Position: Running back
Personal information
Born: (1965-09-21) September 21, 1965 (age 59)
Norfolk, Virginia, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:210 lb (95 kg)
Career information
High school: Virginia Beach (VA) Kempsville
College: Penn State
NFL draft: 1987  / round: 1 / pick: 14
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics
6 ft 0+14 in
(1.84 m)
Rushing yards:691
Rushing average:4.0
Touchdowns:9
Baseball career
Outfielder
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
May 6, 1992, for the New York Mets
Last MLB appearance
October 4, 1992, for the New York Mets204 lb
(93 kg)
31+14 in
(0.79 m)
10+14 in
(0.26 m)
34.0 in
(0.86 m)
  • Dozier scored the winning touchdown of Penn State's 1987 National Championship Fiesta Bowl victory over Miami.
  • Dozier was drafted out of Penn State in the first round (#14 overall) of the 1987 NFL draft. [1]
  • He shared the November 11, 1985 cover of Sports Illustrated with Florida's Ray McDonald.
  • He had a career average of 4.0 yards per carry. In 1991—his final season—he averaged 5.3 yards per rush.
  • He fumbled the ball only 4 times during his 5-year professional career.
  • Dozier had a perfect 158.3 passer rating as a pro. (He was 1-for-1 for 19 yards and a touchdown)
  • Dozier caught 33 career passes, averaging 9.1 yards per catch.
  • As a kick returner, he averaged 19.4 yards per return.

Baseball career

Dozier, who was 6'0", 202 pounds and who threw and batted right-handed was originally drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 18th round in 1983 (459th overall). He opted not to sign and decided to go to college, where he would pursue his football career.

In 1990, the New York Mets signed him as an amateur free agent. He spent 1990 and 1991 in the minor leagues, where he showed good speed (he stole 33 bases with St. Lucie in 1990) and also some power (in 1990, he hit 13 home runs with St. Lucie). He played for the Williamsport Bills in 1991.

After spending some time in the minors in 1992, he was called up to the Major Leagues and made his debut on May 6, 1992, at the age of 26. In 25 games, he hit .191 with 4 stolen bases and 19 strikeouts in 47 at-bats. Defensively, he committed 1 error for a fielding percentage of .971.

On October 26, 1992, Dozier was traded with catcher Raul Casanova and pitcher Wally Whitehurst for shortstop/third baseman Tony Fernández. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tony Fernández</span> Dominican baseball player (1962–2020)

Octavio Antonio Fernández Castro, better known as Tony Fernández, was a Dominican baseball player who played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB) for seven teams from 1983 to 2001, most notably the Toronto Blue Jays. A five-time All-Star, Fernández was known for his defensive skills, winning four consecutive Gold Glove Awards (1986–1989). He batted over .300 four times, led the major leagues with 17 triples in 1990, collected 30 doubles six times and 20 stolen bases seven times. He also led American League shortstops in assists three times, and in putouts and fielding average twice each. After moving to the National League in a blockbuster trade following the 1990 season, he returned to the Blue Jays in a mid-season trade in 1993, and played a major role in helping the club repeat as World Series champions, batting .333 with nine runs batted in during the series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hubie Brooks</span> American baseball player (born 1956)

Hubert "Hubie" Brooks is an American former professional baseball right fielder, third baseman, and shortstop. He played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1980 to 1994 for the New York Mets, Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, California Angels, and Kansas City Royals. Brooks was selected third overall in the 1978 Major League Baseball draft by the New York Mets and went on to play for five different teams over a 15-year career, and was twice named an All-Star. MLB pitcher Donnie Moore was Brooks' cousin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bo Jackson</span> American football and baseball player (born 1962)

Vincent Edward "Bo" Jackson is an American former professional baseball and football player. He is the only professional athlete in history to be named an All-Star in two major North American sports. Jackson's achievements at the elite levels of multiple sports have given him a reputation as one of the greatest athletes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ty Detmer</span> American football player and coach (born 1967)

Ty Hubert Detmer is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL). He won the Heisman Trophy in 1990 while playing college football for the BYU Cougars. Detmer broke numerous NCAA records with BYU, and was twice recognized as a consensus All-American. A late-round pick in the 1992 NFL draft, Detmer played for six NFL teams over 14 seasons, mostly in a backup role. He is currently the head Athletic Director American Leadership–Gilbert North Eagles.

Shane Patrick Conlan is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, winning two national championships in 1982 and 1986, although he was red-shirted prior to the start of the 1982 season and did not play that season. In 1981, prior to his Penn State career and after his senior season at Frewsburg High School in which he played under head coach Thomas Sharp, Conlan was voted Western New York high school Player of the Year. During his career at Penn State, Conlan had 274 tackles, including a school-record 186 solos. He finished his football career as a three-time all-pro with the NFL's Buffalo Bills and the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Travis Fryman</span> American baseball player (born 1969)

David Travis Fryman is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers and Cleveland Indians from 1990 to 2002. He is currently a hitting instructor for the Cleveland Guardians farm system, and he also managed the Mahoning Valley Scrappers from 2008 to 2010 as well as in 2015.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Major Harris (American football)</span> American gridiron football player (born 1968)

Major Harris is an American former college football player who was a quarterback for the West Virginia Mountaineers during the 1980s. Harris was a first-team All-American in 1989 and finished fifth and third in the Heisman Trophy voting in 1988 and 1989, respectively. He was also the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Player of the Year in 1988 and 1989. Harris was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2009.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Clark (American football)</span> American football player (born 1962)

Gary C. Clark is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for the Washington Redskins (1985–92), Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1993–94), and Miami Dolphins (1995).

Joshua Gibson Booty is an American former professional baseball and football player. Booty played briefly in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a third baseman, and also in the National Football League (NFL) as a quarterback. He played college football for the LSU Tigers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">O. J. McDuffie</span> American football player (born 1969)

Otis James McDuffie is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, earning All-American honors. A first-round pick in the 1993 NFL draft, McDuffie played professionally for the Dolphins.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Tapani</span> American baseball player (born 1964)

Kevin Ray Tapani is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the New York Mets, Minnesota Twins, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Chicago Cubs from 1989 to 2001.

Blair Lamar Thomas is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Jets, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, Atlanta Falcons and Carolina Panthers. He played college football for the Penn State Nittany Lions, earning first-team All-American honors in 1989.

Terry Gayle Kirby is an American former professional football player who was a running back for 10 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) from 1993 to 2002. Standing 6'1", he played college football for the Virginia Cavaliers. He is the younger brother of former Major League Baseball player Wayne Kirby. Co Owner of Ultimate Sports Institute in Weston, Florida and now is a coach for the Weston Warriors. He also won the Superhole III cornhole champion in 2022

Cleveland Everette Gary, also known as Cleveland Edward Gary, is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs and Miami Hurricanes. Gary was selected in the first round of the 1989 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He led the NFL in touchdowns in 1990 with 14. In 1992 he rushed for 1,125 yards and caught 52 passes.

Craig Neil Erickson is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). Prior to entering the NFL, he played college football for the Miami Hurricanes. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fifth round of the 1991 NFL draft and also by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the fourth round of the 1992 NFL draft. He is one of the few NFL players to be drafted twice. Coincidentally, each was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The 1993 New York Mets season was the 32nd season in the history of the franchise. The team sought to improve on its 72–90 mark from 1992. Instead, the Mets slid back and for the first time since 1967 lost 100 games. The Mets finished with a 59–103 record, their fifth worst in history, and finished in last place in the National League East. They played all of their home games at Shea Stadium. As of 2024, this was the most recent 100-loss season for the Mets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Williamsport Bills</span> Minor league baseball team

The Williamsport Bills were a Class AA Eastern League baseball affiliate of the Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners, and New York Mets from 1987 to 1991 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, in the United States. They played their games in Bowman Field, which is currently home to the Williamsport Crosscutters, a charter member of the MLB Draft League.

Kempsville High School is a comprehensive public high school for students in grades 9–12 in the Virginia Beach City Public Schools system. In the western section of the city, the Kempsville High School covers approximately 12 sq. miles and draws students from Kempsville Middle School and Larkspur Middle School.

Ulys Leroy Thompson is a former American football running back who played six seasons in the National Football League (NFL), the first three with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and then one apiece with the New England Patriots, the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He was an excellent receiver out of the backfield, accumulating 153 career receptions, including a career best of 65 in 1994 with the Patriots. He played college football at Penn State.

Billy Joe Owens Jr. is an American former professional football safety in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys. He also played in the Arena Football League (AFL) for the Orlando Predators, Charlotte Rage, Connecticut Coyotes and Portland Forest Dragons. He played college football at the University of Pittsburgh.

References

  1. "1987 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved September 25, 2023.
  2. Miller, Scott (October 27, 1992). "Padres Ship Fernandez to Mets : Baseball: Wally Whitehurst, D.J. Dozier are the players received in exchange for the All-Star shortstop". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved February 16, 2020.