Kal Daniels
Encyclopedia
Kalvoski Daniels is a former Major League Baseball
outfielder
who played from 1986–1992. He spent time with the Cincinnati Reds
, Los Angeles Dodgers
and Chicago Cubs
during his seven year career.
Daniels was born on August 20, 1963 in Vienna, Georgia
. He attended Northside High School
in Warner Robins, Georgia
, and he eventually attended Middle Georgia College
.
Daniels was drafted by the New York Mets
in the third round, 58th overall, of the 1982 amateur entry draft, January Regular Phase. He didn't sign then, but when he was drafted seventh overall by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1982 amateur entry draft, June Secondary Phase, he did.
In his first professional season, he hit .367 and stole 27 bases in 67 games.
In 1984, his third professional season, Daniels began developing power to go along with his good speed. In 122 games that year, he hit 17 home runs and stole 43 bases.
On April 9, 1986, Daniels made his big league debut at 22 years old. He had a successful rookie season, mostly being used off the bench-he hit .320 with 6 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 78 games (181 at-bats). In his second season, Daniels recorded a career high in home-runs per AB, hitting .334 with 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases in only 108 games.
After the 1989 season, his numbers dropped off drastically, especially his stolen base totals-this was because he had to undergo a knee surgery (the sixth of his career), that evidently "stole" his ability to steal bases.
In 1990, Daniels remained healthy all season. Although he only stole 4 bases, he hit 27 home runs and collected 94 RBI. In 1991 and 1992, his numbers began dropping close to the Mendoza Line
. He played his final game on September 22, 1992.
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...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
who played from 1986–1992. He spent time with 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....
, Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
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...
during his seven year career.
Daniels was born on August 20, 1963 in Vienna, Georgia
Vienna, Georgia
Vienna is a city in Dooly County, Georgia, United States. The population was 2,973 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Dooly County....
. He attended Northside High School
Northside High School (Warner Robins, Georgia)
Northside High School The Guantanamo Bay detention camp is an illegal detainment and interrogation facility of the United States located within Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba. The facility was established in 2002 by the Bush Administration to hold detainees from the war in Afghanistan and later Iraq...
in Warner Robins, Georgia
Warner Robins, Georgia
Warner Robins is a city in the U.S. state of Georgia, located primarily in Houston County with a small portion in Peach County. The city has its own metropolitan statistical area . As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 48,804...
, and he eventually attended Middle Georgia College
Middle Georgia College
Middle Georgia College is a publicly supported, residential,charter unit of the University System of Georgia, in the city Cochran in the U.S. state of Georgia. Founded in 1884, the school is the oldest two-year college in the United States. It is currently being transformed into a 4 year college...
.
Daniels was drafted by 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...
in the third round, 58th overall, of the 1982 amateur entry draft, January Regular Phase. He didn't sign then, but when he was drafted seventh overall by the Cincinnati Reds in the 1982 amateur entry draft, June Secondary Phase, he did.
In his first professional season, he hit .367 and stole 27 bases in 67 games.
In 1984, his third professional season, Daniels began developing power to go along with his good speed. In 122 games that year, he hit 17 home runs and stole 43 bases.
On April 9, 1986, Daniels made his big league debut at 22 years old. He had a successful rookie season, mostly being used off the bench-he hit .320 with 6 home runs and 15 stolen bases in 78 games (181 at-bats). In his second season, Daniels recorded a career high in home-runs per AB, hitting .334 with 26 home runs and 26 stolen bases in only 108 games.
After the 1989 season, his numbers dropped off drastically, especially his stolen base totals-this was because he had to undergo a knee surgery (the sixth of his career), that evidently "stole" his ability to steal bases.
In 1990, Daniels remained healthy all season. Although he only stole 4 bases, he hit 27 home runs and collected 94 RBI. In 1991 and 1992, his numbers began dropping close to the Mendoza Line
Mendoza Line
The Mendoza Line is an expression in baseball in the United States, deriving from the name of shortstop Mario Mendoza, whose lifetime batting average is taken to define the threshold of incompetent hitting...
. He played his final game on September 22, 1992.
Honors and awards
- In 1982, Daniels was a Pioneer League All-Star.
- Daniels finished 27th in MVP voting in 1990.
- He led the league in on base percentageOn base percentageIn baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
in 1988, with a .397 OBP. - Daniels finished his time with the Reds with a rare .300/.400/.500 batting line designating benchmarks of excellence in batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage. His actual rate stats with the Reds: .301 and .406 and .506 (from 1986 through part of 1989).
Major Transactions
- The Reds traded Daniels with Lenny HarrisLenny HarrisLeonard Anthony Harris is a former Major League Baseball utility infielder who is currently the hitting instructor for the Great Lakes Loons. He is best known for holding the record for the most pinch hits in a major league career...
to the Dodgers for Tim Leary and Mariano DuncanMariano DuncanMariano Duncan Nalasco is a retired second baseman and shortstop who played for several Major League Baseball teams during his 12 year career. He was the infield coach and 1st base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers under Managers Grady Little and Joe Torre...
on July 18, 1989. - The Dodgers sent Daniels to the Cubs for a player to be named (minor leaguer Michael Sodders) on June 27, 1992.