Danny Goodwin
Encyclopedia
Danny Kay Goodwin was a Major League Baseball
player from 1975 to 1982 for the California Angels
, Minnesota Twins
, and Oakland Athletics
. Goodwin, who played a majority of his games as a designated hitter
, is the only player to be the first overall pick in the Major League draft in two separate years. He was initially drafted first overall in 1971 by the Chicago White Sox
, but chose to attend Southern University and A & M
where Lou Brock
had previously attended, as would future Brewer 2B Rickie Weeks
. Four years later, he was selected by the California Angels. He appeared in 252 games for three teams over the next seven years. He appeared in 61 games at first base and 2 in the outfield, all for the Minnesota Twins, with all his other appearances as a designated hitter.
He played for the Nankai Hawks in Japanese Professional League in 1986.
In 2011, Goodwin became the first player from a Historically Black University to be inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. Goodwin enjoys that honor along side the late legendary baseball Coach and President of Grambling College - "Dr. Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones."
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...
player from 1975 to 1982 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...
, Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, 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....
. Goodwin, who played a majority of his games as a designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
, is the only player to be the first overall pick in the Major League draft in two separate years. He was initially drafted first overall in 1971 by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago 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...
, but chose to attend Southern University and A & M
Southern University
Southern University and A&M College is a historically black college located in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The Baton Rouge campus is located on Scott’s Bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in the northern section...
where Lou Brock
Lou Brock
Louis Clark "Lou" Brock is an American former professional baseball player. He began his Major League Baseball career with the Chicago Cubs but, spent the majority of his career as the left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Brock was best known for breaking Ty Cobb's all-time major league...
had previously attended, as would future Brewer 2B Rickie Weeks
Rickie Weeks
Rickie Darnell Weeks is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers....
. Four years later, he was selected by the California Angels. He appeared in 252 games for three teams over the next seven years. He appeared in 61 games at first base and 2 in the outfield, all for the Minnesota Twins, with all his other appearances as a designated hitter.
He played for the Nankai Hawks in Japanese Professional League in 1986.
In 2011, Goodwin became the first player from a Historically Black University to be inducted into the National College Baseball Hall of Fame. Goodwin enjoys that honor along side the late legendary baseball Coach and President of Grambling College - "Dr. Ralph Waldo Emerson Jones."