Alan Knicely
Encyclopedia
Alan Lee Knicely is a former professional baseball
catcher
. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball
from 1979 until 1986. He served mainly as a backup catcher for four different teams during that time, while also playing some first base
and outfield
.
in the 3rd round of the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft
as a pitcher. He slowly moved up through their farm system as far as Double-A, reaching that level in 1977. After going 1-5 with an ERA over 5 with the Columbus Astros, his conversion to a position player commenced. The next season, back at Columbus, he played mostly shortstop, but by 1979 he was playing mostly behind the plate.
Most Valuable Player award with fellow Astros prospect Danny Heep
, and for that he was rewarded with a taste of the big leagues. Knicely saw action in seven games down the stretch, mostly as a pinch hitter
, but also playing parts of three games at catcher and one at third base. However, he went 0-for-6 at the plate.
. He continued to hit well, batting .318 with 105 RBI, but the Astros had Alan Ashby
and Luis Pujols
ahead of him, and Knicely's defense was not up to par. He was called up once again in September, but his action was limited to a single pinch-hitting appearance.
In 1981, it was back to the Triple-A Toros for Knicely. His defense improved, as he cut his errors in half, and he once again had a good season with the bat, hitting .306 with 96 RBI. Once again, however, major league time would wait until September's roster expansion. On September 17, he got his first major league hit, a single against John Urrea
of the San Diego Padres
. Even then, he did not appear in another game until the final two games of the season. Given a chance, he went 4-for-6 in those two games, with a pair of solo home runs.
Finally, in 1982, Knicely would break camp with the big club, making the roster out of spring training as a right-handed hitter off the bench for the Astros. While Ashby and Pujols were still seeing the lion's share of the playing time at catcher, Knicely played 23 games there as well as 17 in the outfield. Unfortunately for Alan, his minor league batting prowess did not translate to success in the major leagues, as he batted just .188 with 2 home runs in 133 at bats. The following spring, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
for a pair of prospects, reliever Bill Dawley
and outfielder Tony Walker
.
winding down his career as a third baseman, the Reds employed three catchers that season, and Knicely was the third, behind Dann Bilardello
and Alex Treviño
. Playing in 59 games, Knicely improved his batting average, but only up to .224. He again hit just 2 home runs in 98 at bats.
After a second disappointing season, Knicely would open the 1984 season back in the minor leagues, this time with the Wichita Aeros
of the American Association
. In what proved to be the Aeros' final season, Knicely showed that he still had no difficulty mastering minor league pitching. He batted .333 with 33 home runs and 126 RBI in winning the AA's Most Valuable Player award, his second such award in the minors. For his efforts, he was named Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News
, and was given another chance by the Reds that September. However, he managed just four hits in 29 at bats, although he did drive in five runs.
In 1985, Knicely got yet another chance. The Reds, tired of Bilardello's lack of hitting ability, sent the light-hitting catcher to the minors and brought Knicely back to the majors to split time behind the plate with Dave Van Gorder
. Knicely responded by setting career bests in most categories, including a .253 batting average, 5 home runs, and 26 RBI. All this earned him, however, was an August trade to the Philadelphia Phillies
for veteran catcher Bo Díaz
. The Phillies shipped Knicely back to the minors, calling him up for just 7 hitless at bats in September.
, once again starting the season in the minor leagues. He was called up to the majors in June to play first base as part of an attempt to fill in for the injured Jack Clark
. In 34 games, Knicely batted just .195 with a single home run and 6 RBI. He was released on October 31, and after a season in the minor leagues with the Texas Rangers
organization, Knicely retired at age 32.
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
. He played all or part of eight seasons in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
from 1979 until 1986. He served mainly as a backup catcher for four different teams during that time, while also playing some first base
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and outfield
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
.
Early career
Knicely was drafted by the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in the 3rd round of the 1974 Major League Baseball Draft
1974 Major League Baseball draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1974 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Background :With the number one pick of the June regular phase, San Diego tabbed infielder Bill Almon from Brown University, one of six shortstops selected in round one...
as a pitcher. He slowly moved up through their farm system as far as Double-A, reaching that level in 1977. After going 1-5 with an ERA over 5 with the Columbus Astros, his conversion to a position player commenced. The next season, back at Columbus, he played mostly shortstop, but by 1979 he was playing mostly behind the plate.
1979: Breakout season
Knicely played for Coumbus once again in 1979, and he put up prodigious offensive numbers, hitting 33 home runs and batting .289. He shared the Southern LeagueSouthern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
Most Valuable Player award with fellow Astros prospect Danny Heep
Danny Heep
Daniel William Heep , is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder.Heep played for five different ballclubs during his 13 year career: the Houston Astros , New York Mets , Los Angeles Dodgers , Boston Red Sox , and Atlanta Braves .Heep played for two different World Series champions: the New...
, and for that he was rewarded with a taste of the big leagues. Knicely saw action in seven games down the stretch, mostly as a pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
, but also playing parts of three games at catcher and one at third base. However, he went 0-for-6 at the plate.
Early 1980s with the Astros
Knicely was bumped up a level for the 1980 season, playing for the Triple-A Tucson TorosTucson Toros
The Tucson Toros are a professional baseball team based in Tucson, Arizona, in the United States. They are owned by Tucson Baseball, LLC with Jay Zucker as chairman of the board. Sean Smock is the team's general manager....
. He continued to hit well, batting .318 with 105 RBI, but the Astros had Alan Ashby
Alan Ashby
Alan Dean Ashby is a former catcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, and Houston Astros...
and Luis Pujols
Luis Pujols
Luis Bienvenido Pujols Toribio was a catcher and manager in Major League Baseball. He played nine seasons with the Houston Astros, Kansas City Royals, and Texas Rangers. Luis Pujols and St...
ahead of him, and Knicely's defense was not up to par. He was called up once again in September, but his action was limited to a single pinch-hitting appearance.
In 1981, it was back to the Triple-A Toros for Knicely. His defense improved, as he cut his errors in half, and he once again had a good season with the bat, hitting .306 with 96 RBI. Once again, however, major league time would wait until September's roster expansion. On September 17, he got his first major league hit, a single against John Urrea
John Urrea
John Goody Urrea is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals from to and the San Diego Padres in .-External links:...
of the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
. Even then, he did not appear in another game until the final two games of the season. Given a chance, he went 4-for-6 in those two games, with a pair of solo home runs.
Finally, in 1982, Knicely would break camp with the big club, making the roster out of spring training as a right-handed hitter off the bench for the Astros. While Ashby and Pujols were still seeing the lion's share of the playing time at catcher, Knicely played 23 games there as well as 17 in the outfield. Unfortunately for Alan, his minor league batting prowess did not translate to success in the major leagues, as he batted just .188 with 2 home runs in 133 at bats. The following spring, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for a pair of prospects, reliever Bill Dawley
Bill Dawley
William Chester Dawley is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1983 to 1989, for the Houston Astros, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics...
and outfielder Tony Walker
Tony Walker
Anthony Bruce Walker was a Major League Baseball player. Walker played in the 1986 season with the Houston Astros. He played the outfield and batted and threw right-handed.-External links:...
.
Mid-1980s with the Reds
Like 1982, Knicely spent all of 1983 in the major leagues. With Johnny BenchJohnny Bench
Johnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
winding down his career as a third baseman, the Reds employed three catchers that season, and Knicely was the third, behind Dann Bilardello
Dann Bilardello
Dann James Bilardello was a Major League Baseball catcher.Drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1st round of the 1978 MLB amateur draft, Bilardello would make his Major League Baseball debut with the Cincinnati Reds on April 11, 1983, and appear in his final game on October 4, 1992. After...
and Alex Treviño
Alex Treviño
Alejandro Treviño Castro is a Mexican retired professional baseball catcher. Trevino played 13 seasons in the Major Leagues beginning with the New York Mets for four seasons , followed by the Cincinnati Reds for two full seasons before splitting the 1984 season between the Reds and the Atlanta...
. Playing in 59 games, Knicely improved his batting average, but only up to .224. He again hit just 2 home runs in 98 at bats.
After a second disappointing season, Knicely would open the 1984 season back in the minor leagues, this time with the Wichita Aeros
Wichita Aeros
The Wichita Aeros was a minor league baseball franchise based in Wichita, Kansas, that played in the AAA American Association from 1970 through 1984....
of the American Association
American Association (20th century)
The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from to and to . Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the...
. In what proved to be the Aeros' final season, Knicely showed that he still had no difficulty mastering minor league pitching. He batted .333 with 33 home runs and 126 RBI in winning the AA's Most Valuable Player award, his second such award in the minors. For his efforts, he was named Minor League Player of the Year by The Sporting News
The Sporting News
Sporting News is an American-based sports magazine. It was established in 1886, and it became the dominant American publication covering baseball — so much so that it acquired the nickname "The Bible of Baseball"...
, and was given another chance by the Reds that September. However, he managed just four hits in 29 at bats, although he did drive in five runs.
In 1985, Knicely got yet another chance. The Reds, tired of Bilardello's lack of hitting ability, sent the light-hitting catcher to the minors and brought Knicely back to the majors to split time behind the plate with Dave Van Gorder
Dave Van Gorder
David Thomas Van Gorder is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. He played during five seasons at the major league level for the Cincinnati Reds and Baltimore Orioles. He was drafted by the Reds in the 2nd round of the 1978 amateur draft...
. Knicely responded by setting career bests in most categories, including a .253 batting average, 5 home runs, and 26 RBI. All this earned him, however, was an August trade to the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
for veteran catcher Bo Díaz
Bo Diaz
Baudilio José Díaz Seijas was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds between and...
. The Phillies shipped Knicely back to the minors, calling him up for just 7 hitless at bats in September.
Later career
Knicely was released by the Phillies the following spring. Four days later, he joined the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, once again starting the season in the minor leagues. He was called up to the majors in June to play first base as part of an attempt to fill in for the injured Jack Clark
Jack Clark (baseball)
Jack Anthony Clark , also known as "Jack the Ripper," is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1975 through 1992, Clark played for the San Francisco Giants , St. Louis Cardinals , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres and Boston Red Sox...
. In 34 games, Knicely batted just .195 with a single home run and 6 RBI. He was released on October 31, and after a season in the minor leagues with the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
organization, Knicely retired at age 32.