John Wockenfuss
Encyclopedia
Johnny Bilton Wockenfuss (born February 27, 1949 in Welch, West Virginia
) is a former utility player in Major League Baseball
who had a twelve year career from 1974 to 1985.
(1974–1983) and the Philadelphia Phillies
(1984–1985).
He played catcher
, first base, third base
, outfield
and designated hitter
. He may be best remembered for his use of an unusual batting stance: extremely closed with his back nearly to the pitcher, with arms extended well overhead. Wockenfuss adopted the closed stance in 1977, while playing winter ball at Caguas, Puerto Rico.
Wockenfuss was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 42nd round of the 1967 amateur draft but did not reach the major leagues until seven years later in 1974.
On December 3, 1973, Wockenfuss was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Detroit Tigers. Wockenfuss found a home with the Detroit Tigers where he played 10 seasons and became a fan favorite.
Used mostly as a backup, the only year in which Wockenfuss played in more than 100 games was 1980. That year, "Fuss" (as he was affectionately known to Detroit fans) hit 16 home runs, collected 65 RBIs and 68 bases on balls, with a .390 on base percentage.
On March 24, 1984, the Tigers traded Wockenfuss and Glenn Wilson
to the Philadelphia Phillies for Willie Hernández
and Dave Bergman
.
After two seasons with the Phillies, Wockenfuss was released on August 19, 1985.
After leaving the Tigers' system, he managed two seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates
organization in and . In he managed the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs
to the Northeast League title. He also managed Albany-Colonie in .
Welch, West Virginia
Welch is a city located in McDowell County in the U.S. state of West Virginia. The population was 2,406 at the 2010 census. Incorporated as a city in 1893, it is the county seat of McDowell County.-History:...
) is a former utility player 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...
who had a twelve year career from 1974 to 1985.
Playing career
Wockenfuss played twelve seasons in the major leagues for the Detroit TigersDetroit 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...
(1974–1983) 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...
(1984–1985).
He played 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...
, first base, third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
, outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
and 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...
. He may be best remembered for his use of an unusual batting stance: extremely closed with his back nearly to the pitcher, with arms extended well overhead. Wockenfuss adopted the closed stance in 1977, while playing winter ball at Caguas, Puerto Rico.
Wockenfuss was drafted by the Washington Senators in the 42nd round of the 1967 amateur draft but did not reach the major leagues until seven years later in 1974.
On December 3, 1973, Wockenfuss was traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Detroit Tigers. Wockenfuss found a home with the Detroit Tigers where he played 10 seasons and became a fan favorite.
Used mostly as a backup, the only year in which Wockenfuss played in more than 100 games was 1980. That year, "Fuss" (as he was affectionately known to Detroit fans) hit 16 home runs, collected 65 RBIs and 68 bases on balls, with a .390 on base percentage.
On March 24, 1984, the Tigers traded Wockenfuss and Glenn Wilson
Glenn Wilson (baseball)
Glenn Dwight Wilson is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He was selected in the 1st round of the 1980 amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers, and made his Major League debut in a Tigers uniform on April 15, 1982...
to the Philadelphia Phillies for Willie Hernández
Willie Hernández
Guillermo "Willie" Hernández Villanueva is a former relief pitcher for the Chicago Cubs , Philadelphia Phillies , and the Detroit Tigers . He threw and batted left-handed.-Career:...
and Dave Bergman
Dave Bergman
David Bruce Bergman was a Major League Baseball first baseman, designated hitter, and outfielder.Born in Evanston, Illinois, Bergman is an alumnus of Maine South High School and Illinois State University...
.
After two seasons with the Phillies, Wockenfuss was released on August 19, 1985.
Managing career
Following his playing career, Wockenfuss managed for a number of years in the minor leagues. In , Wockenfuss joined the Tigers organization as manager of the Toledo farm club.After leaving the Tigers' system, he managed two seasons in the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
organization in and . In he managed the Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs
Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs
The Albany-Colonie Diamond Dogs were a minor league baseball team based in Albany, New York from 1995 to 2002. The team played at Heritage Park in Colonie. The Diamond Dogs competed in the Northeast League from 1995-98 and then in the Northern League when the two leagues merged prior to the 1999...
to the Northeast League title. He also managed Albany-Colonie in .