| Oddibe McDowell | |
|---|---|
| Center fielder | |
| Born: August 25, 1962 Hollywood, Florida |
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| Batted: Left | Threw: Left |
| MLB debut | |
| May 19, 1985 for the Texas Rangers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 10, 1994 for the Texas Rangers | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .253 |
| Home runs | 74 |
| Runs batted in | 266 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
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| Medal record | ||
|---|---|---|
| Competitor for United States | ||
| Men's Baseball | ||
| Summer Olympics | ||
| Silver | 1984 Los Angeles | Team |
Oddibe McDowell (born August 25, 1962) is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1985 to 1994 for the Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves. McDowell was the first player to hit for the cycle for the Rangers when he accomplished that feat on July 23, 1985. Mark Teixeira, Gary Matthews, Jr., Ian Kinsler and Bengie Molina are the only other Rangers players to hit for the cycle.
His first name is pronounced "owed a bee" or "oh-ta-bee." Because it also sounds vaguely like a slurred rendition of "oh to be," ESPN personality and announcer Chris Berman dubbed him Oddibe "Young Again" McDowell.[1]
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He won the prestigious Golden Spikes Award, which is given annually to the best amateur baseball player, in 1984 while playing at Arizona State University. He wore uniform number 0 at ASU, and ASU has retired his number. McDowell also finished 4th in the American League Rookie of the Year voting for 1985.
He was a member of the 1984 United States Olympic Team.
McDowell stood out during his first stint with the Texas Rangers by wearing the very unusual uniform number 0. He wore the number 20 with the Indians, the number 1 with the Braves, and during his second time with the Rangers, he wore number 8.[2]
Through June 16, 2009, McDowell was tied for second of all Rangers players ever in career leadoff home runs, one behind the 9 by Ian Kinsler.[1]
Today, Oddibe is the Head Coach for the Everglades High School Varsity Baseball team.
He was inducted in the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.
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