Jay Buhner

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Jay Buhner
Outfielder
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB Debut
September 11, 1987 for the New York Yankees
Final game
October 7, 2001 for the Seattle Mariners
Career Statistics
Home Runs     310
RBI     964
Strikeouts     1406
Teams
Career Highlights and Awards

Jay Campbell Buhner (born August 13, 1964, in Louisville, Kentucky), nicknamed "Bone", was a powerful right-handed hitter in Major League Baseball. He was among the most recognizable players of his day, noted for his shaved head and thick goatee. He put that recognizability to good cause, as well, hosting an annual Buhner Buzz Night, where fans would shave their heads at the ballpark with the proceeds going to charity.

Contents

[edit] Early career

Buhner was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2nd round of the 1984 amateur draft and was traded shortly thereafter to the New York Yankees. He made his Major League debut on September 11, 1987, appearing in seven games that year. Jay was traded again the next summer, on July 21, 1988, to the Seattle Mariners along with two career minor leaguers (Rich Balabon and Troy Evers) in exchange for Ken Phelps. The trade is often considered one of the worst made by the Yankees of that period, and the best in Mariner history. (This fact was once noted humorously on the television program Seinfeld, in which the Yankees' owner, George Steinbrenner, appears at the home of George Costanza's parents to inform them – mistakenly – that their son is dead. All Mr. Costanza can say is, "What the hell did you trade Jay Buhner for?! He had 30 home runs, over 100 RBIs last year! He's got a rocket for an arm... You don't know what the hell you're doing!" The clip was played at Safeco Field when Buhner was inducted into the Mariners' Hall of Fame in 2004).

[edit] Best years

Buhner hit his stride in 1991, hitting 27 HRs with 77 RBIs. While well-known for his tendency to strike out, he also developed a patience at the plate which allowed him to walk 100 times in a season on several occasions. By the mid-90s he had developed into one of the premier offensive players in the game, hitting 40-plus home runs in three consecutive seasons, 1995, 1996 and 1997. Had he not been in a line-up surrounded by superstars Ken Griffey Jr., Edgar Martinez, and Alex Rodriguez, Buhner's accomplishments might have been more noted.

Buhner retired at the end of the 2001 season as one of the most popular players in Mariners history. The Mariners have not issued his #19 jersey since he retired, but under Mariners team policy he will not be eligible to have his number retired until 2007, when he will appear on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot for the first time. The Mariners require a player to have spent at least five years with the team and be inducted into the Hall of Fame, or spend most of his career in Seattle and just miss induction. Even if he misses induction into the Hall of Fame, it is highly unlikely that any Mariner will wear #19 again.

[edit] Accomplishments

[edit] Career Transactions

  • June 6, 1983: Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 9th round of the 1983 amateur draft (did not sign).
  • January 17, 1984: Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2nd round of the 1984 amateur draft (Secondary Phase). Signed May 26, 1984.
  • December 20, 1984: Traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates with Dale Berra and Alfonso Pulido to the New York Yankees for Steve Kemp, Tim Foli, and cash.
  • July 21, 1988: Traded by the New York Yankees with a player to be named later and Rich Balabon to the Seattle Mariners for Ken Phelps. The New York Yankees sent Troy Evers (October 12, 1988) to the Seattle Mariners to complete the trade.
  • October 28, 1994: Granted Free Agency.
  • December 21, 1994: Signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
  • November 11, 1999: Granted Free Agency.
  • December 6, 1999: Signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
  • November 10, 2000: Granted Free Agency.
  • December 7, 2000: Signed as a Free Agent with the Seattle Mariners.
  • November 5, 2001: Granted Free Agency.

[edit] Trivia

  • Lowest career stolen base percentage since 1954 (6 stolen bases against 24 times caught stealing for a success rate of 20%; baseball did not keep track of times caught stealing until 1954)
  • Holds Seattle Mariners career record for strikeouts, with 1375
  • Was widely regarded as having one of the strongest outfield throwing arms in baseball during his career.
  • Was known throughout baseball for his ability to vomit on command[1]

[edit] Teams

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Bob Finnigan. "After 14 years with M's, Buhner retires", The Seattle Times, December 18, 2001.

[edit] External links

  • Jay Buhner's career statistics at [1]Baseball-Reference.com
  • [2] Short Biography
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