Skeeter Barnes
Encyclopedia
William Henry "Skeeter" Barnes (born March 3, 1957 in Cincinnati, Ohio
) is a retired Major League Baseball
utility player
for the Cincinnati Reds
(1983–1984 and 1989), Montreal Expos
(1985), St. Louis Cardinals
(1987) and Detroit Tigers
(1991–1994).
After playing college baseball at his hometown University of Cincinnati
, Barnes was selected by the Reds in the 16th round of the 1978 Major League Baseball draft. Barnes worked his way through the minors, earning promotion to the Reds in 1983
after hitting .337 for the Reds' Indianapolis
farm club.
Although Barnes would continue to have great success at the Triple-A level for many years to come, he was unable to find a home in the major leagues. Between 1984 and 1990, he played in just 60 major league games, including four for the 1987
National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. In four of those years, he hit .300 or better in the minors.
Barnes finally achieved stable major league career status at the age of 34, an age when most players have long retired. After hammering International League
pitching at a .330 clip through the first two months of the 1991
season, Barnes was called up by the Tigers. Barnes, who was a capable fielder at several positions and a good contact hitter, turned out to be a good fit for the Tigers, who had defensive problems and a lineup that struck out a lot. Barnes spent most of the next three seasons with the Tigers. Detroit fans appreciated his blue-collar work-ethic; he was sometimes called "Crash Davis," after the fictional character in the film Bull Durham
, who had spent most of his career playing in the Minor Leagues.
During all or part of nine seasons in the majors, Barnes played in 353 games and had 614 at-bats, 95 runs, 159 hits, 30 doubles, 4 triples, 14 home runs, 83 RBI, 20 stolen bases, 41 wlks, .259 batting average, .306 on-base percentage, .389 Slugging Percentage, 239 Total Bases, eight sacrifice hits, eight sacrifice flies, and three intentional walks. In the minor leagues, Barnes batted .296 for his career and had 1,773 career hits. At the time, he ranked as one of the all-time leading hitters in the minor leagues.
He retired as a player following the 1994
season, but has remained in the game as a minor league coach and manager. Among his post-playing jobs have been a stint as the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays of the Midwest League
in 2006, two coaching stints in the Midwest League (1997–98 and 2005), coaching in the Southern League
in 2003-04, in the International League
(1995–96, 1999), and managing the Lakeland Tigers
in 2000.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
) is a retired 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...
utility player
Utility player
In sport, a utility player is one who can play several positions competently, a sort of jack of all trades. Sports in which the term is often used include association football , baseball, rugby, rugby league, water polo and softball....
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....
(1983–1984 and 1989), Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
(1985), 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...
(1987) 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...
(1991–1994).
After playing college baseball at his hometown University of Cincinnati
University of Cincinnati
The University of Cincinnati is a comprehensive public research university in Cincinnati, Ohio, and a part of the University System of Ohio....
, Barnes was selected by the Reds in the 16th round of the 1978 Major League Baseball draft. Barnes worked his way through the minors, earning promotion to the Reds in 1983
1983 Major League Baseball season
The 1983 Major League Baseball season ended with the Baltimore Orioles defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth game of the World Series. Rick Dempsey was named MVP of the Series...
after hitting .337 for the Reds' Indianapolis
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
farm club.
Although Barnes would continue to have great success at the Triple-A level for many years to come, he was unable to find a home in the major leagues. Between 1984 and 1990, he played in just 60 major league games, including four for the 1987
1987 Major League Baseball season
The 1987 Major League Baseball season ended with the American League Champion Minnesota Twins winning the World Series over the National League Champion St...
National League champion St. Louis Cardinals. In four of those years, he hit .300 or better in the minors.
Barnes finally achieved stable major league career status at the age of 34, an age when most players have long retired. After hammering 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...
pitching at a .330 clip through the first two months of the 1991
1991 Major League Baseball season
-Awards and honors:*Most Valuable Player**Cal Ripken, Jr., Baltimore Orioles, SS **Terry Pendleton, Atlanta Braves, 3B *Cy Young Award**Roger Clemens, Boston Red Sox **Tom Glavine, Atlanta Braves *Rookie of the Year...
season, Barnes was called up by the Tigers. Barnes, who was a capable fielder at several positions and a good contact hitter, turned out to be a good fit for the Tigers, who had defensive problems and a lineup that struck out a lot. Barnes spent most of the next three seasons with the Tigers. Detroit fans appreciated his blue-collar work-ethic; he was sometimes called "Crash Davis," after the fictional character in the film Bull Durham
Bull Durham
Bull Durham is a 1988 American romantic comedy baseball film. It is based upon the minor league experiences of writer/director Ron Shelton and depicts the players and fans of the Durham Bulls, a minor league baseball team in Durham, North Carolina....
, who had spent most of his career playing in the Minor Leagues.
During all or part of nine seasons in the majors, Barnes played in 353 games and had 614 at-bats, 95 runs, 159 hits, 30 doubles, 4 triples, 14 home runs, 83 RBI, 20 stolen bases, 41 wlks, .259 batting average, .306 on-base percentage, .389 Slugging Percentage, 239 Total Bases, eight sacrifice hits, eight sacrifice flies, and three intentional walks. In the minor leagues, Barnes batted .296 for his career and had 1,773 career hits. At the time, he ranked as one of the all-time leading hitters in the minor leagues.
He retired as a player following the 1994
1994 Major League Baseball season
The 1994 Major League Baseball season ended with the infamous players strike ending the season on August 11, 1994.-Strike:As a result of a players' strike, the MLB season ended prematurely on August 11, 1994. No postseason was played...
season, but has remained in the game as a minor league coach and manager. Among his post-playing jobs have been a stint as the Southwest Michigan Devil Rays of the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
in 2006, two coaching stints in the Midwest League (1997–98 and 2005), coaching in the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
in 2003-04, in the 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...
(1995–96, 1999), and managing the Lakeland Tigers
Lakeland Tigers
The Lakeland Flying Tigers are a minor league baseball team based in Lakeland, Florida.Home games are played at Joker Marchant Stadium; opened in 1966 and renovated in 2003. The park, which also doubles as the Detroit Tigers spring training home, seats 8,500 fans...
in 2000.