Danny Breeden
Encyclopedia
Danny Richard Breeden is a former right-handed Major League Baseball
catcher who played in 1969 and 1971 for the Cincinnati Reds
and Chicago Cubs
.
The brother of former Major League Baseball first baseman Hal Breeden
, Danny attended Troy State University before being signed by the St. Louis Cardinals
in 1963.
Even before making the Majors, Breeden had a long history of transactions: in December 1963, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs
in the first-year draft. Then just over a year later, he was purchased back from the Cubs by the Cardinals. On December 3, 1968, he was traded with minor leaguer Phil Knuckles, Ron Davis
and Ed Spiezio
to the San Diego Padres
for Dave Giusti
, and on June 30, 1969, he was purchased by the Reds from the Padres.
Less than a month after being purchased by the Reds, he made his big league debut (on July 24 at the age of 27) against Gary Gentry
and the New York Mets
. It was an 12-inning affair, with Breeden going 1-for-4 as the starting catcher. The Reds ended up beating the Mets 4-to-3 on a Tony Perez
home run.
His single on July 24 of that year would be his only big league hit that season - he would end up playing in only that series against the Mets that year, as starting catcher Johnny Bench
was not available - and he would go 0-for-4 in his final two games of the season.
Breeden did not play in the Majors in 1970, and on November 30 of that year he was traded from the Reds to the Cubs for Willie Smith
.
In 1971, Breeden played in 25 games for the Cubs, including catching the second of Ken Holtzman
's two no-hitter
s on June 3. That year was his brother Hal's rookie season - with the Cubs no less - so they played on the field together for five games. Danny batted .154 in 65 at-bats, hitting no home runs and driving in four runs. He hit the only extra base hit of his career in his very first game of the season, on May 1 against Rick Wise
and the Philadelphia Phillies
. His brother did even worse than Danny did in 1971, however - Hal hit only .139 in 36 at-bats.
1971 was Breeden's final season in the majors - he played his last game on June 17 of that year. Although he did not appear in the Majors following the 1971 season, he stuck around in the minors for quite a while. After moving to the Padres organization before the 1973 season in an unknown transaction, Danny was part of a huge three-team trade involving the Padres, Cardinals and Detroit Tigers
that initially took place on November 18, 1974. The Padres sent a player to be named later (Breeden) to the Cardinals. The Padres then sent Nate Colbert
to the Tigers. The Tigers sent Bob Strampe
and Dick Sharon
to the Padres. The Tigers sent Ed Brinkman
to the Cardinals and the Cardinals sent Alan Foster, Rich Folkers
, and Sonny Siebert
to the San Diego Padres. Breeden was sent to the Cardinals on December 12 of that year.
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...
catcher who played in 1969 and 1971 for 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....
and 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...
.
The brother of former Major League Baseball first baseman Hal Breeden
Hal Breeden
Harold Noel "Hal" Breeden is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Hal was a rarity in that he was a right-handed hitter who threw left-handed. He is also the brother of catcher Danny Breeden....
, Danny attended Troy State University before being signed by the St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
in 1963.
Even before making the Majors, Breeden had a long history of transactions: in December 1963, he was drafted by 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...
in the first-year draft. Then just over a year later, he was purchased back from the Cubs by the Cardinals. On December 3, 1968, he was traded with minor leaguer Phil Knuckles, Ron Davis
Ron Davis (outfielder)
Ronald Everette Davis is a former right-handed Major League Baseball outfielder who played in 1962 and from 1966 to 1969 for the Houston Colt .45s/Houston Astros, St...
and Ed Spiezio
Ed Spiezio
Edward Wayne Spiezio is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the World Series-winning 1967 St. Louis Cardinals team. He also played for the San Diego Padres and the Chicago White Sox....
to 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 Dave Giusti
Dave Giusti
David John Giusti, Jr., is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1962 to 1977....
, and on June 30, 1969, he was purchased by the Reds from the Padres.
Less than a month after being purchased by the Reds, he made his big league debut (on July 24 at the age of 27) against Gary Gentry
Gary Gentry
Gary Edward Gentry , is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, who played seven seasons for the New York Mets and Atlanta Braves between 1969 and 1975....
and the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. It was an 12-inning affair, with Breeden going 1-for-4 as the starting catcher. The Reds ended up beating the Mets 4-to-3 on a Tony Perez
Tony Pérez
Atanasio Pérez Rigal , more commonly known as Tony Pérez, is a former Major League Baseball player. He was also known by the nickname "Big Dog," "Big Doggie," and "Doggie."...
home run.
His single on July 24 of that year would be his only big league hit that season - he would end up playing in only that series against the Mets that year, as starting catcher Johnny Bench
Johnny 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...
was not available - and he would go 0-for-4 in his final two games of the season.
Breeden did not play in the Majors in 1970, and on November 30 of that year he was traded from the Reds to the Cubs for Willie Smith
Willie Smith (outfielder)
Willie Smith was a left-handed pitcher for the Detroit Tigers , and, after he converted to outfielder at the Major League Baseball level, an outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels/California Angels , Cleveland Indians , Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds...
.
In 1971, Breeden played in 25 games for the Cubs, including catching the second of Ken Holtzman
Ken Holtzman
Kenneth Dale Holtzman is a left-handed former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics...
's two no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
s on June 3. That year was his brother Hal's rookie season - with the Cubs no less - so they played on the field together for five games. Danny batted .154 in 65 at-bats, hitting no home runs and driving in four runs. He hit the only extra base hit of his career in his very first game of the season, on May 1 against Rick Wise
Rick Wise
Richard Charles Wise is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for 18 seasons...
and 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...
. His brother did even worse than Danny did in 1971, however - Hal hit only .139 in 36 at-bats.
1971 was Breeden's final season in the majors - he played his last game on June 17 of that year. Although he did not appear in the Majors following the 1971 season, he stuck around in the minors for quite a while. After moving to the Padres organization before the 1973 season in an unknown transaction, Danny was part of a huge three-team trade involving the Padres, Cardinals and Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
that initially took place on November 18, 1974. The Padres sent a player to be named later (Breeden) to the Cardinals. The Padres then sent Nate Colbert
Nate Colbert
Nathan Colbert Jr. , is a former American Major League Baseball player who was a first baseman with the Houston Astros , San Diego Padres , Detroit Tigers , Montreal Expos and Oakland Athletics .Signed by his hometown St...
to the Tigers. The Tigers sent Bob Strampe
Bob Strampe
Robert Edwin "Bob" Strampe is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers in 1972...
and Dick Sharon
Dick Sharon
Richard Louis Sharon was a professional Major League Baseball player.Sharon graduated Kennedy Middle School and Sequoia High School in Redwood City, California.-Baseball career:...
to the Padres. The Tigers sent Ed Brinkman
Ed Brinkman
Edwin Albert Brinkman was a Major League Baseball shortstop. He played fifteen years in the Major League Baseball, led the American League in games played twice, won a Gold Glove Award at shortstop, and had a career batting average of .224...
to the Cardinals and the Cardinals sent Alan Foster, Rich Folkers
Rich Folkers
Richard Nevin Folkers is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to for the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals, San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers....
, and Sonny Siebert
Sonny Siebert
Wilfred Charles Siebert is a former Major League Baseball pitcher from 1964 to 1975. He finished with a record of 140-114 and a 3.21 ERA. He threw a no-hitter on June 10, 1966 against the Washington Senators. He was originally drafted simultaneously by the Cleveland Indians and the St...
to the San Diego Padres. Breeden was sent to the Cardinals on December 12 of that year.