Jeff Kunkel
Encyclopedia
Jeffrey William Kunkel is a former shortstop
in Major League Baseball
with the Texas Rangers
and Chicago Cubs
. The son of American League
umpire Bill Kunkel
, after receiving All-American honors as a shortstop, he was chosen in the first round (3rd overall) of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft
out of Rider University
. Growing up in Leonardo, New Jersey
, Kunkel was an all-around athlete who participated in soccer, basketball and baseball during his high school years at Middletown High School South
in New Jersey. Selected #74 of the top 100 Jersey Shore
athletes of the millennium by the Asbury Park Press
in 1999. Kunkel reached the big leagues quickly, but never developed into a full-time player. The Rangers gave him the opportunity to win the starting shortstop position, but he was always thwarted by his hitting stats and obstacles such as Curtis Wilkerson
, Scott Fletcher, Fred Manrique
, Gary Green
, and Jeff Huson
. Plagued with numerous potential career-ending injuries, Kunkel worked hard to rehabilitate himself to finish an 11 year professional baseball career with 5½ years in the major leagues. A versatile player with the ability to play 8 or the 9 position on the field while pitching three times in mop-up stints.
at Arlington Stadium
on Monday, July 23, . Against O's ace Mike Boddicker
, a 20-game winner that season, Kunkel recorded three hits and stole second base. Nevertheless, the Rangers lost the game 9 to 5.
Kunkel spent the rest of the season alternating with Curtis Wilkerson, but was never able to duplicate the success of his first game. He concluded 1984 with 3 home runs, 7 runs batted in, and a .204 average in 50 games and 142 at-bats.
and was recalled to the majors only due to other players being hurt or the rosters expanding in September.
. He responded by hitting a career-high .270 with 8 home runs and 29 RBI in 108 games. The success was short-lived, and by he was back to his previous role as a reserve player.
gave Kunkel his last shot in the majors. He assumed the role as a utility player, receiving very limited playing time behind Ryne Sandberg
and Shawon Dunston
. Jeff concluded his short stay with the Cubs hitting .138 in 29 at bats and never played in the big leagues again.
In , Jeff signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians
and played infield and outfield for the AAA International League
Champion Charlotte Knights
.
In , Kunkel joined the Detroit Tigers
' AAA team, the Toledo Mud Hens
, where he finished his professional baseball career hitting .249 with 11 hrs.
with his wife, Jill, and three children, Kelly, Reid and Caroline. Kunkel is active with the Greater Fort Worth Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Burleson Pregnancy Aid Center, Youth With A Mission
of San Diego and the First Baptist Church in Burleson, Texas
.
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
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...
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...
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 son of American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
umpire Bill Kunkel
Bill Kunkel (baseball)
William Gustave James Kunkel was an American right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1961 to 1963 who went on to a career as an American League umpire from 1968 until his death. His son Jeff was a major league shortstop from 1984 to 1992.Kunkel was born in Hoboken, New Jersey...
, after receiving All-American honors as a shortstop, he was chosen in the first round (3rd overall) of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft
1983 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1983 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Other notable players :*Kevin Ward, 6th round...
out of Rider University
Rider University
Rider University is a private, coeducational and nonsectarian university located chiefly in Lawrenceville, in Mercer County, New Jersey, United States...
. Growing up in Leonardo, New Jersey
Leonardo, New Jersey
Leonardo is a census-designated place located within Middletown Township, in Monmouth County, New Jersey. As of the 2010 United States Census, the CDP population was 2,757...
, Kunkel was an all-around athlete who participated in soccer, basketball and baseball during his high school years at Middletown High School South
Middletown High School South
Middletown High School South is a four-year comprehensive public high school located within Middletown Township, New Jersey, operating part of the Middletown Township Public School District...
in New Jersey. Selected #74 of the top 100 Jersey Shore
Jersey Shore
The Jersey Shore is a term used to refer to both the Atlantic coast of the U.S. state of New Jersey and the adjacent resort and residential communities. . The New Jersey State Department of Tourism considers the Shore Region, Greater Atlantic City, and the Southern Shore to be distinct, each having...
athletes of the millennium by the Asbury Park Press
Asbury Park Press
The Asbury Park Press is a daily newspaper in Monmouth and Ocean counties of New Jersey and has the third largest circulation in the state...
in 1999. Kunkel reached the big leagues quickly, but never developed into a full-time player. The Rangers gave him the opportunity to win the starting shortstop position, but he was always thwarted by his hitting stats and obstacles such as Curtis Wilkerson
Curtis Wilkerson
Curtis Vernon Wilkerson , is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a utility man from -....
, Scott Fletcher, Fred Manrique
Fred Manrique
Fred Eloy Manrique Reyes [man-RE-kay] is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Toronto Blue Jays , Montreal Expos , St. Louis Cardinals , Chicago White Sox , Texas Rangers , Minnesota Twins and Oakland Athletics...
, Gary Green
Gary Green (baseball)
Gary Green was a Major League Baseball shortstop for the San Diego Padres, Texas Rangers, and Cincinnati Reds. He appeared in 106 games for his career with a .222 batting average in 180 at-bats. Green's father Fred Green had pitched for the World Series champion 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates team.Green...
, and Jeff Huson
Jeff Huson
Jeffrey Kent Huson was a Major League Baseball utility player. He is an alumnus of the University of Wyoming....
. Plagued with numerous potential career-ending injuries, Kunkel worked hard to rehabilitate himself to finish an 11 year professional baseball career with 5½ years in the major leagues. A versatile player with the ability to play 8 or the 9 position on the field while pitching three times in mop-up stints.
1984 debut
Kunkel made his major league debut against the defending world champion Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
at Arlington Stadium
Arlington Stadium
Arlington Stadium was a baseball stadium located in Arlington, Texas, United States, located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. It served as the home for the Texas Rangers from 1972 until 1993, when the team moved into The Ballpark in Arlington .-1960s:The stadium was built in 1965 as Turnpike...
on Monday, July 23, . Against O's ace Mike Boddicker
Mike Boddicker
For the similarly named musician , see Michael BoddickerMichael James "Mike" Boddicker was a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles , Boston Red Sox , Kansas City Royals , and Milwaukee Brewers...
, a 20-game winner that season, Kunkel recorded three hits and stole second base. Nevertheless, the Rangers lost the game 9 to 5.
Kunkel spent the rest of the season alternating with Curtis Wilkerson, but was never able to duplicate the success of his first game. He concluded 1984 with 3 home runs, 7 runs batted in, and a .204 average in 50 games and 142 at-bats.
Time in the minors
After struggling during spring training in , Kunkel found little playing time with the Rangers over the next four seasons. He spent most of his time with the Oklahoma City 89ers of the Triple-A American AssociationAmerican 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...
and was recalled to the majors only due to other players being hurt or the rosters expanding in September.
Best year
In Kunkel recorded his best season, and more playing time opened for him due to the trade of Scott Fletcher to 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...
. He responded by hitting a career-high .270 with 8 home runs and 29 RBI in 108 games. The success was short-lived, and by he was back to his previous role as a reserve player.
Last seasons
In , the Chicago CubsChicago 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...
gave Kunkel his last shot in the majors. He assumed the role as a utility player, receiving very limited playing time behind Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Sandberg
Ryne Dee Sandberg , nicknamed "Ryno" is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. During a 16-year baseball career, he played from 1981–1994 and 1996–97, spending nearly his entire career with the Chicago Cubs. He was named after relief pitcher Ryne Duren, and is recognized as one of the best...
and Shawon Dunston
Shawon Dunston
Shawon Donnell Dunston is a former shortstop and right-handed batter in Major League Baseball. He resides in Fremont, CA. He was the first overall pick in the 1982 MLB draft by the Chicago Cubs, and played for the Cubs , San Francisco Giants , Pittsburgh Pirates , Cleveland Indians , St...
. Jeff concluded his short stay with the Cubs hitting .138 in 29 at bats and never played in the big leagues again.
In , Jeff signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
and played infield and outfield for the AAA International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
Champion Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
.
In , Kunkel joined the 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...
' AAA team, the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
, where he finished his professional baseball career hitting .249 with 11 hrs.
Present
Today Kunkel lives in Burleson, TexasBurleson, Texas
Burleson is a city in Johnson and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is considered a suburb of Fort Worth and is located in the rapidly growing suburban expanse just south of the city. As of the 2010 census, the population was 36,690, having increased from the 20,976 residents counted...
with his wife, Jill, and three children, Kelly, Reid and Caroline. Kunkel is active with the Greater Fort Worth Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Burleson Pregnancy Aid Center, Youth With A Mission
Youth With A Mission
Youth With A Mission is an international, inter-denominational, non-profit Christian missionary organization...
of San Diego and the First Baptist Church in Burleson, Texas
Burleson, Texas
Burleson is a city in Johnson and Tarrant counties in the U.S. state of Texas. It is considered a suburb of Fort Worth and is located in the rapidly growing suburban expanse just south of the city. As of the 2010 census, the population was 36,690, having increased from the 20,976 residents counted...
.