Phil Plantier. (1991). $42

1991 Topps #474 – Value: $42.00 – Grade: 10

One Hit Wonders (August 15, 2012): mlbreports.com

Phillip Alan Plantier (born in Manchester, NH on January 27, 1969) is an American former professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) primarily as an outfielder from 1990 to 1997. Listed at 6 feet 0 inches (1.83 m) and 175 pounds (79 kg), he batted left-handed and threw right-handed. After his playing career, he spent three seasons as a hitting coach with the San Diego Padres. Plantier was an 11th round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox in the 1987 Major League Baseball Draft. He developed a knack for hitting home runs in the minor leagues and skipped the Double-A level altogether. Plantier first entered the major leagues in 1990 after a midseason call-up from the Pawtucket Red Soxand primarily served as a pinch hitter, but did not play enough for it to be considered his rookie year. In 1991 he was first called up to Boston in June, and played in 11 games, but was sent back down to Pawtucket two weeks later. He was finally called back up to Boston on August 10 and went on a very impressive run over 42 games. In 53 total games and 148 at-bats, he hit 11 home runs and 35 runs batted in (RBIs) while hitting .331, for an average of a home run hit every 13.38 at-bats. As a result, Plantier finished 8th in Rookie of the Year voting. Plantier was unable to repeat his rookie performance in 1992, and was traded to the San Diego Padres during the following offseason. He enjoyed his best full season in 1993 wherein he hit 34 home runs with 100 RBI, both career highs. After an injury plagued 1994 season, Plantier was part of an eleven player offseason trade between the Padres and the Houston Astrosthat brought Ken Caminiti and Steve Finley to San Diego while sending Derek Bell to Houston, among others. He was later traded back to the Padres in July 1995 after roughly half a season with the Astros. Prior to the 1996 season, Plantier signed with the Detroit Tigers, however, during spring training he was traded to the Oakland Athletics for infielder Fausto Cruz and pitcher Ramon Fermin, spending the 1996 season as a reserve outfielder and designated hitter for the A’s. Plantier signed with the San Diego Padres for the 1997 season, his third stint with the team, and later was traded mid-season to the St. Louis Cardinals, where he again spent time as a reserve outfielder and finished out his major league career. Plantier signed as a free agent with Toronto Blue Jays in 1998, but did not appear in any major league games with the club.

Published by 1jimburton

Been married to Karen for 51 years! Father to Garrett (40) and Sarah (47). Grandfather to Ava (18) and Lila (16). Have developed the following Wordpress blogs over the past three years: All-Time Greatest Music, High Quality Baseball Cards, High Quality Basketball Cards, High Quality Football Cards, High Quality Ice Hockey Cards and USA Traveling Tips. Written one book called A World with Heart. Also, after retiring from a career in Hospital Facilities management, I have been doing K-12 substitute teaching. Also, coached U13-U16 boys and girls basketball teams for over 25 years. Last, learned to be a master at hand-carving and painting signs. The largest of which is 4’ x 6’ is a logo for Marathon Motor Works hanging over their main entrance in Nashville (it took three months to complete).

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