Warren Cromartie

Last updated

Warren Cromartie
Montreal Expos outfielder Warren Cromartie (cropped).jpg
Cromartie with the Montreal Expos in 1980
Outfielder / First baseman
Born: (1953-09-29) September 29, 1953 (age 71)
Miami Beach, Florida, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
Professional debut
MLB: September 6, 1974, for the Montreal Expos
NPB: April 6, 1984, for the Yomiuri Giants
Last appearance
NPB: June 2, 1990, for the Yomiuri Giants
MLB: September 15, 1991, for the Kansas City Royals
Games PA AB Runs Hits 2B 3B HR RBI SB BB SO Avg. OBP Slg. OPS Fld%
1107431839274591104229326139150325403.281.336.402.739.986

In seven seasons in Japan, Cromartie batted over.300 five times. All told, he compiled a .321 batting average with 171 home runs and 558 RBIs for the Yomiuri Giants. He led the Giants three times in RBIs, twice in home runs and twice in batting. [32]

Climb

Cromartie is an accomplished drummer, and has jammed with Canadian rock band Rush. [23] A blueprint for the fictional "Warren Cromartie Secondary School" appears on the back cover of Rush's 1982 release, Signals , and Cromartie is thanked in the album's liner notes.

While in Japan, Cromartie formed an AOR band called Climb with David Rosenthal of Rainbow. Rush lead singer Geddy Lee appears on the track "Who's Missin' Who" from their 1988 release, Take A Chance. [33] Mitch Malloy and Foreigner's Lou Gramm also make guest appearances on the album.

Broadcasting

Right as his only season in Kansas City was set to start, his autobiography (co-written with Robert Whiting) detailing his playing days in Japan, Slugging It Out in Japan: An American Major-Leaguer in the Tokyo Outfield, hit bookstores.

Cromartie began doing Florida Marlins pre-game shows for WQAM radio in 1997, and remained a broadcaster with the Marlins in one form or another through 2002. He served as the television color commentator for the Montreal Expos in the team's final year of existence (2004). He currently hosts a radio show on WAXY 790 AM in Miami, Florida. "Talking Hardball with The Cro" currently airs on Saturday during baseball season. [34] He has his own segment on the TSN 690 in Montreal, and regularly airs at 4:00 PM Eastern on weekdays with Mitch Melnick.

In 2005, Cromartie sued the makers of a film based on the manga/anime series Cromartie High School in Japanese court. The series does not feature Cromartie himself but does depict students who "smoke, fight with students from other schools and are depicted as ruffians" which he says defames his character as the school shares his name.

Coaching

The Miami native held his first baseball camp at Miami-Dade Community College's North Campus in 1994. He was the manager of the Japan Samurai Bears, an all-Japanese team in the independent U.S. Golden Baseball League during the league's only season (2005). Danny Gold and Matthew Asner of Mod 3 Productions filmed a documentary of the club entitled Season of the Samurai. It aired on the MLB Network in 2010. [35]

He formed the Montreal Baseball Project in 2012 to launch a feasibility study into bringing Major League Baseball back to Montreal. [36]

Other ventures

He, Andre Dawson and Cecil Fielder of the Detroit Tigers (whom Cromartie met while the two played in Japan) teamed up to form "Sports Dent" in 1993. The company produced baseball themed dental hygiene products, including a baseball bat shaped toothbrush, a toothbrush holder that plays Take Me Out to the Ballgame , a dental floss dispenser shaped like home plate and mock baseball cards to record one's "Runs brushed in." [37]

In 2007, he made his professional wrestling debut at an event called "Hustle Aid" to benefit leukemia research. He and Ryoji Sai took on Tiger Jeet Singh and An Joenosuke in a tag team match at Tokyo's Saitama Arena. [38] As Singh is known for walking around with a sword in his mouth, Cromartie showed up with a baseball bat, and wearing a baseball uniform with the words "Samurai Man" across his chest and the number 49 from his playing days on the back. The match ended with Cromartie pinning An Joenosuke for the victory. [39]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Felipe Alou</span> Dominican baseball player and manager (born 1935)

Felipe Rojas Alou is a Dominican former Major League Baseball outfielder, first baseman, coach and manager. He managed the Montreal Expos (1992–2001) and the San Francisco Giants (2003–2006). The first Dominican to play regularly in the major leagues, he is the most prominent member of one of the sport's most notable families of the late 20th century: he was the oldest of the trio of baseball-playing brothers that included Matty and Jesús, who were both primarily outfielders, and his son Moisés was also primarily an outfielder; all but Jesús have been named All-Stars at least twice. His son Luis, in turn, managed the New York Mets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gary Carter</span> American baseball player, coach, and sportscaster (1954–2012)

Gary Edmund Carter was an American professional baseball catcher whose 19-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career was spent primarily with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets. Nicknamed "the Kid" for his youthful exuberance, Carter was named an All-Star 11 times and was a member of the 1986 World Series champion Mets.

<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">José Vidro</span> Puerto Rican baseball player (born 1974)

José Angel Vidro is a Puerto Rican born former Major League Baseball second baseman. He played for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals and Seattle Mariners.

Roberto Antonio Petagine Hernandez is a Venezuelan former professional baseball player of Italian descent. His Major League Baseball career includes brief stints with the Houston Astros (1994), San Diego Padres (1995), New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds (1998), Boston Red Sox (2005), and Seattle Mariners (2006); but he is best known for his success in the Japanese Central League between 1999 and 2004 where, as a member of the Yakult Swallows (1999–2002) and Yomiuri Giants (2003–2004), he was among Nippon Professional Baseball's premier offensive players.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Al Oliver</span> American baseball player (born 1946)

Albert Oliver Jr. is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder and first baseman from 1968 through 1985, most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won five National League Eastern Division titles in six years between 1970 and 1975 and, won the World Series in 1971. A seven-time All-Star, Oliver was the 1982 National League batting champion and RBI champion as a member of the Montreal Expos. He surpassed the .300 batting average mark eleven times during his playing career and was also a three-time Silver Slugger Award winner.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ron Fairly</span> American baseball player (1938–2019)

Ronald Ray Fairly was an American professional baseball player and television sports presenter. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman and right fielder from 1958 to 1978, most prominently as a member of the Los Angeles Dodgers where, he was a two-time All-Star player and was a member of three World Series winning teams.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Joel Youngblood</span> American baseball player (born 1951)

Joel Randolph Youngblood III is an American former professional baseball player. He was a versatile player, who could play many different positions, as well as pinch hit. After his playing career ended, he served as the third base coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bill Robinson (outfielder)</span> American baseball player (1943-2007)

William Henry Robinson, Jr. was an American professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1966 to 1983, for several teams. He also played some first and third base. Robinson batted and threw right-handed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ellis Valentine</span> American baseball player (born 1954)

Ellis Clarence Valentine is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is remembered for having one of the all-time great throwing arms. "There's a plateau where you can't throw the ball any harder and you can't be any more accurate", said former Montreal manager Felipe Alou. "That was Ellis Valentine."

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Smith (first baseman)</span> American baseball player (born 1957)

Christopher William Smith is an American former professional baseball player. He played as a first baseman and left fielder in Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball.

The 1977 New York Mets season was the 16th regular season for the Mets, who played home games at Shea Stadium. Initially led by manager Joe Frazier followed by Joe Torre, the team posted a 64–98 record and finished in last place for the first time since 1967, and for the first time since divisional play was introduced in 1969.

The 1972 New York Mets season was the 11th regular season for the Mets, who played home games at Shea Stadium. Led by manager Yogi Berra, the team had an 83–73 record and finished in third place in the National League East division.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Vail</span> American baseball player (born 1951)

Michael Lewis Vail is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder.

The 1981 Montreal Expos season was the 13th season in franchise history. They made it to the postseason for the first time in franchise history. Their playoff run ended in the NLCS against the Los Angeles Dodgers, with Rick Monday hitting a ninth-inning solo home run in game 5, subsequently referred to as "Blue Monday" by Expos fans. This was the closest the Expos ever got to a World Series appearance while in Montreal. This was also their last time winning a playoff series until 2019, which they won the Wild Card game. In addition, their 31-year playoff drought after this season is currently the longest in the Divisional era.

The 1982 Montreal Expos season was the 14th season in franchise history. They finished 86–76, 6 games back of the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League East.

The 1977 Montreal Expos season was the ninth season in the history of the franchise. The team finished fifth in the National League East with a record of 75–87, 26 games behind the Philadelphia Phillies. This was the Expos' first year in Olympic Stadium, after playing their first eight seasons at Jarry Park.

The 1979 Montreal Expos season was the 11th in franchise history. The team finished second in the National League East with a record of 95–65, 2 games behind the first-place Pittsburgh Pirates. The 1979 season was the Expos first winning season in franchise history.

The 1980 Montreal Expos season was the 12th season in franchise history. The Expos were tied with the division rival Philadelphia Phillies in the standings entering the final weekend of the 1980 season with a three game series set between the two clubs at Olympic Stadium. On October 4, with the Phillies holding a one-game lead in the standings, and with the score tied at four heading to the tenth, Mike Schmidt hit a blast deep into the seats in left field to give the Phillies a 6–4 lead and ultimate win to clinch the National League East. This was the Expos closest shot at making the postseason in their brief 12 year history.

American expatriate baseball players in Japan have been a feature of the Japanese professional leagues since 1934. American expatriate players began to steadily find spots on Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) rosters in the 1960s. More than 600 Americans have played NPB, although very few last more than a single season in Japan.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Bob Dunn (August 8, 1977). "A Bargain, And Bye-bye Basement". Sports Illustrated .
  2. ↑ Cesar Brioso (September 15, 2000). "Negro Leaguer Cromartie Dies". Sun Sentinel . Archived from the original on December 14, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Leroy Cromartie". Baseball in Living Color: Negro Leagues Baseball History.
  4. ↑ Brad Willson (March 30, 1975). "Bailey Sidelined With Broken Bone". Daytona Beach Sunday News-Journal . p. 3C.
  5. ↑ "Montreal Expos 4, New York Mets 3". Baseball-Reference.com. July 2, 1977.
  6. ↑ "It Took a Bunt, but Rose Kept Streak Alive". Observer–Reporter . July 20, 1978.
  7. ↑ "Montreal Expos 3, Pittsburgh Pirates 2". Baseball-Reference.com. April 6, 1979.
  8. ↑ Norm King. "Warren Cromartie". Society for American Baseball Research.
  9. ↑ Pat Livingston (March 30, 1980). "How Do Expos Spell Trouble? L-e-F-l-o-r-e". Pittsburgh Press .
  10. ↑ Joe Potter (December 11, 1979). "Santa Campbell Gives Expos Christmas Gift". Virgin Islands Daily News .
  11. ↑ "New York Mets 9, Montreal Expos 5". Baseball-Reference.com. July 4, 1980.
  12. ↑ "Mets and Expos End Long Day with Fight". The Day (New London) . July 5, 1980.
  13. ↑ "Dodgers Stay Alive, Expos Bow to Phillies". Leader-Post . October 6, 1980.
  14. ↑ "LeFlore Not Wanted By Expos". The StarPhoenix . November 29, 1980.
  15. ↑ "Expos Send Mets an Early Valentine". Leader-Post. May 30, 1981.
  16. ↑ Michael Farber (August 21, 1981). "Expos Get Milner as Montanez Dealt". The Gazette (Montreal) .
  17. ↑ "1981 National League Division Series, Game One". Baseball-Reference.com. October 7, 1981.
  18. ↑ Bob Elliott (sportswriter) (April 1, 1982). "Oliver 'Will Make the Difference'". Ottawa Citizen .
  19. ↑ "Montreal Expos 3, St. Louis Cardinals 2". Baseball-Reference.com. June 7, 1982.
  20. ↑ Ralph Bernstein (August 5, 1982). "Joel Youngblood Makes History With Mets, Expos". Portsmouth Daily Times .
  21. ↑ Vin Mannix (March 6, 1983). "Cromartie & Francona". Boca Raton News .
  22. ↑ Brian Kappler (July 21, 1983). "Expos Thump Reds Ace for Victory". Montreal Gazette.
  23. 1 2 "Disgusted Cromartie Off to Japan". Montreal Gazette. December 29, 1983.
  24. 1 2 Robert Whiting (August 21, 1989). "The Master Of Besaboru". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on December 14, 2013.
  25. ↑ Dave Komosky (September 22, 1984). "Button Up, Mr. Sather". The Phoenix.
  26. ↑ Cromartie, Warren (August 1, 2014). "5 for Friday: Warren Cromartie, Montreal's next best baseball savior" (Interview). Interviewed by Erik Malinowski. Fox Sports. Retrieved August 1, 2014.
  27. 1 2 3 Eric Talmadge (May 24, 1989). "Cromartie Likes Japan's Pitching". Bangor Daily News .
  28. ↑ Eric Talmadge (July 3, 1988). "Japanese Baseball May Change 'Foreigners' Rule". The Daily Union .
  29. ↑ "Yomiuri Wins Japan Series Title". Ocala Star-Banner . October 30, 1989.
  30. ↑ Ken Willis (March 25, 1991). "After 15 Seasons, Cromartie Brings Bat Home to America". The News Journal .
  31. ↑ "Cromartie Career Ends at Age 37". Lawrence Journal-World . September 16, 1991.
  32. ↑ "Past Yomiuri Giants Stars". The Yakult Swallows Home Plate.
  33. ↑ "Rush Guest Appearances". Power Windows.
  34. ↑ "Talkin' Hardball With The Cro". Sportstalk 790 AM/104.3 FM.
  35. ↑ "Former MLBer Warren Cromartie manages all-Japanese baseball team in Season of the Samurai". MLB.com . June 24, 2010.
  36. ↑ Bill Beacon (March 20, 2013). "Ex-Expo Warren Cromartie Heads Group Studying Viability of Returning Baseball to Montreal". The Vancouver Sun .
  37. ↑ "Names in the News". The Daily Sentinel. August 10, 1993.
  38. ↑ "Ex-Expos outfielder Cromartie Will Step into the Ring". ESPN. June 12, 2007.
  39. ↑ Alastair Himmer (June 18, 2007). "Former MLB Player Roughs Up Angry Tiger". Reuters.

Bibliography

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.