Carney Lansford
Encyclopedia
Carney Ray Lansford is a former third baseman
in Major League Baseball
and the hitting coach of the Colorado Rockies
. Lansford, who played for the California Angels
(1978–80), Boston Red Sox
(1981–82) and Oakland Athletics
(1983–92), batted and threw right-handed.
, Lansford became the Angels' best rookie in 1978 and finished third in the overall AL Rookie of the Year
vote. The Angels dealt Lansford to the Red Sox after the 1980 season. In 1981, he won the American League batting title in the strike-shortened season, becoming the league's first right-handed hitter to do so in 11 years. However, the emergence of Wade Boggs
resulted in the Red Sox sending Lansford to Oakland in a trade involving Tony Armas
during the 1982 off-season. Lansford became the A's third baseman for their 1988 through 1992 dynasty, typically hitting second behind Rickey Henderson
. Lansford narrowly missed winning his second batting title in 1989 with a .336 average to Minnesota's Kirby Puckett
, who finished with a .339 average. Although his power numbers dropped off during those years, and he missed almost all the 1991 season, Lansford's speed and solid hitting made him a significant contributor. He played in three World Series
with the A's, losing in , and winning in .
In his 15-year career, Lansford was a .290 hitter with 151 home run
s, 874 RBI
, and 224 stolen base
s in 1862 games
.
batter that Mel Clark (played by Tony Danza
) retires for the final out in the Angels' pennant-winning game in the 1994 remake of Angels in the Outfield
.
His son, Jared, was drafted by Oakland in the second round of the 2005 Amateur Draft. His other son, Josh, is a third baseman in the Chicago Cubs
minor league system. His brother, Jody Lansford
, spent nine seasons in the minor leagues, briefly breaking into the Big Leagues with the San Diego Padres
, for whom he recorded 30 ABs in parts of two seasons, with one career home run.
He played for the Briarwood Little League team, from Santa Clara, California, which made it to the finals of the 1969 Little League World Series
. In the final game of the World Series on August 2, Carney's team was defeated 5-0 by the team from Taipei City, Taiwan
. Carney is one of less than a dozen men who have played in both the Little League World Series and the MLB World Series.http://carneylansford.com/timeline.html
He also gave his name to Wilcox High School's baseball field. The field is currently called Carney Lansford field. Lansford has not played on the field as it was not built during his time at Wilcox.
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
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...
and the hitting coach of the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. Lansford, who played for the California Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
(1978–80), Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
(1981–82) and Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
(1983–92), batted and threw right-handed.
Career
Originally drafted by the California Angels in the 3rd round of the 1975 Major League Baseball Draft1975 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1975 Major League Baseball draft..Many baseball draft experts consider the 1975 draft to be the weakest in MLB history.- External links :*- References :...
, Lansford became the Angels' best rookie in 1978 and finished third in the overall AL Rookie of the Year
MLB Rookie of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
vote. The Angels dealt Lansford to the Red Sox after the 1980 season. In 1981, he won the American League batting title in the strike-shortened season, becoming the league's first right-handed hitter to do so in 11 years. However, the emergence of Wade Boggs
Wade Boggs
Wade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
resulted in the Red Sox sending Lansford to Oakland in a trade involving Tony Armas
Tony Armas
Antonio Rafael Armas Machado is a former Venezuelan professional baseball player who played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He was one of the top sluggers in the American League in the early 1980s. Twice Armas led the league in home runs, and led all of Major League Baseball in RBIs in...
during the 1982 off-season. Lansford became the A's third baseman for their 1988 through 1992 dynasty, typically hitting second behind Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
. Lansford narrowly missed winning his second batting title in 1989 with a .336 average to Minnesota's Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett
Kirby Puckett was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played his entire 12-year baseball career with the Minnesota Twins and he is the Twins franchise's all-time leader in career hits, runs, doubles, and total bases...
, who finished with a .339 average. Although his power numbers dropped off during those years, and he missed almost all the 1991 season, Lansford's speed and solid hitting made him a significant contributor. He played in three World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
with the A's, losing in , and winning in .
In his 15-year career, Lansford was a .290 hitter with 151 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s, 874 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, and 224 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in 1862 games
Games played
Games played is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total number of games in which a player has participated ; the statistic is generally applied irrespective of whatever portion of the game is contested.-Baseball:In baseball, the statistic applies also to players who, prior to a game,...
.
Coaching career
Lansford was a hitting coach for the San Francisco Giants during the 2008 and 2009 seasons. Lansford had been relieved of his duties following the 2009 season. Lansford was hired by the Rockies for the 2011 season.Personal
Lansford had a cameo role as Kit "Hit or Die" Kesey, the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
batter that Mel Clark (played by Tony Danza
Tony Danza
Tony Danza is an American actor best known for starring on the TV series Taxi and Who's the Boss?, for which he was nominated for an Emmy Award and four Golden Globe Awards...
) retires for the final out in the Angels' pennant-winning game in the 1994 remake of Angels in the Outfield
Angels in the Outfield (1994 film)
Angels in the Outfield is a 1994 remake of the 1951 film of the same name. The film stars Danny Glover, Tony Danza and Christopher Lloyd, and features appearances from future stars, including Adrien Brody, Matthew McConaughey, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Neal McDonough.Unlike the original, which...
.
His son, Jared, was drafted by Oakland in the second round of the 2005 Amateur Draft. His other son, Josh, is a third baseman in the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
minor league system. His brother, Jody Lansford
Jody Lansford
Joseph Dale Lansford was a first basemen in Major League Baseball who played in 25 games for the San Diego Padres during the 1982 and 1983 seasons. He is the younger brother of Carney Lansford....
, spent nine seasons in the minor leagues, briefly breaking into the Big Leagues with 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...
, for whom he recorded 30 ABs in parts of two seasons, with one career home run.
He played for the Briarwood Little League team, from Santa Clara, California, which made it to the finals of the 1969 Little League World Series
Little League World Series
The Little League Baseball World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 11 to 13 years old. It was originally called the National Little League Tournament and was later renamed for the World Series in Major League Baseball. It was first held in 1947 and is held every August in South...
. In the final game of the World Series on August 2, Carney's team was defeated 5-0 by the team from Taipei City, Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
. Carney is one of less than a dozen men who have played in both the Little League World Series and the MLB World Series.http://carneylansford.com/timeline.html
He also gave his name to Wilcox High School's baseball field. The field is currently called Carney Lansford field. Lansford has not played on the field as it was not built during his time at Wilcox.
See also
- List of major league players with 2,000 hits
- List of AL Silver Slugger Winners at Third Base
- List of Boston Red Sox awards
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 runs
- List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
- List of Major League Baseball batting champions