Otis Nixon

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Otis Nixon
Outfield
Born: January 9, 1959 (1959-01-09) (age 49)
Batted: Both	Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 16, 1983 for the New York Yankees
Final game
October 3, 1999 for the Atlanta Braves
Career statistics
AVG	.270
RBI	318
Stolen bases	620
Teams
New York Yankees (1983) Cleveland Indians (1984-1987) Montreal Expos (1988-1990) Atlanta Braves (1991-1993, 1999) Boston Red Sox (1994) Texas Rangers (1995) Toronto Blue Jays (1996-1997) Los Angeles Dodgers (1997) Minnesota Twins (1998)
Career highlights and awards
16th all-time for career stolen bases

Otis Junior Nixon (born January 9, 1959 in Evergreen, North Carolina) is a former Major League Baseball player. He played center fielder and was a switch-hitter who played in between 1983 and 1999. He has also played for the United States cricket team.

[edit] Career

In the minor leagues, Nixon led the league twice in stolen bases (1980 in the South Atlantic League with 67 & 1983 in the International League with 94), runs scored (1980 in the South Atlantic League with 124 & 1983 in the International League with 129, hits (162 in 1983 in the International League), at bats (557 in 1983 in the International League) and walks (57 in 1979 in the Appalachian League, 113 in 1980 in the South Atlantic League and 110 in 1981 in the Southern League). He started out as an infielder but was switched to outfield in 1983 due to his superior speed and his penchant for making errors (56 in 127 games in 1981 at shortstop for the Nashville Sounds).

Nixon shares the single game stolen base Major League record with 6 on June 16, 1991. He also holds the Atlanta Braves single season record for stolen bases with 72 in 1991. In 1982, Nixon stole 107 bases in a combined season between the AA level Nashville Sounds and the AAA level Columbus Clippers.

In 17 seasons Nixon played with the New York Yankees (1983), Cleveland Indians (1984-87), Montreal Expos (1988-90), Atlanta Braves (1991-93, 1999), Boston Red Sox (1994), Texas Rangers (1995), Toronto Blue Jays (1996-97), Los Angeles Dodgers (1997) and Minnesota Twins (1998).

Nixon battled a cocaine habit for much of his career. He was arrested on drug charges in 1987 while a member of the Cleveland Indians organization. Nixon failed a drug test in September 1991 and was suspended for 60 days (including the 1991 World Series).

On July 25, 1992, Otis made a catch over the wall to rob Andy Van Slyke of a home run that was replayed constantly on the sports news television shows. Nixon made the final out of the 1992 World Series on a bunt. It was the only World Series in history to end on a bunt.^{[citation needed]}

Nixon was a career .270 hitter with 11 home runs, 318 RBI, 878 runs, 1379 hits, 142 doubles, 27 triples, and 620 stolen bases in 1709 games.

Nixon's younger brother, Donell Nixon, also played in the Major Leagues from 1987 through 1990 for the Seattle Mariners, the San Francisco Giants and Baltimore Orioles.

[edit] Post-career

Nixon today runs On-Track Ministries (http://www.otisnixon.com/). He is working towards obtaining his Master's Degree in Divinity.

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• http://www.baseballlibrary.com/baseballlibrary/ballplayers/N/Nixon_Otis.stm Baseball Library article]

v • d • e Toronto Blue Jays Starting center fielders Gary Woods (1977) • Rick Bosetti (1978-79) • Barry Bonnell (1980) • Lloyd Moseby (1981-89) • Mookie Wilson (1990) • Devon White (1991-95) • Otis Nixon (1996-97) • José Cruz, Jr. (1998-2001) • Vernon Wells (2002–present)