Eric Wedge
From SoSH
| Born: | January 27, 1968 |
| Birthplace: | Fort Wayne, Indiana |
| Hometown: | |
| Height: | 6' 3" |
| Weight: | 215 lbs |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1989: 3rd Round |
| College: | Wichita State |
| High School: | Northrop (Fort Wayne, IN) |
| Other Teams: | Colorado Rockies 1993 |
| Years with Boston: | 1991 - 1992, 1994 |
Contents |
Overall Career
Eric Michael Wedge (born on January 27, 1968, in Fort Wayne, IN) was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 3rd round of the 1989 Amateur Draft after starring at Wichita State, where he led them to a 68-16 record and the national championship at the 1989 College World Series. That year he hit .380, led the nation's Division 1 players in walks and total bases, and finished second in runs, RBI, and home runs. He was the Missouri Valley Conference Player of the Year, a first-team All-American, and runner-up to LSU's Ben McDonald as the College Baseball Player of the Year.
After signing with Boston, Eric played minor league ball in Elmira (NY), New Britain (CT), Winter Haven (FL.) and Pawtucket (RI) before being called up to Boston in October 1991. In his major league debut, he singled for Jack Clark with one out in the bottom of the ninth in a 13-4 loss to the Brewers. It would be his only at bat for the season.
A disciplined hitter who maintained a high walk rate his entire career, Wedge hit .250 in 27 games with the Sox in 1992, primarily as a Designated Hitter, but was selected by the Colorado Rockies with the 48th pick in the 1992 Expansion Draft. He spent one uneventful year with the Rockies, came back to the Red Sox, and earned six more hitless at bats in 1994 by hitting .286/.408/.565 with 19 home runs and 51 walks against 48 strikeouts for the PawSox. Wedge spent three more years bouncing around AAA before retiring in 1997.
After retirement, he became a manager, winning the Manager of the Year awards in the Carolina League in 1999 and the International League in 2001. In 2003, the Cleveland Indians named Wedge the youngest manager in Major League Baseball. He finished second in the 2005 Manager of the Year vote.
Wedge's Moments in the Sun
- Hit his first major league home run off Seattle's Shawn Barton on September 21, 1992, a two-run shot in the 9th inning of Boston's 5-2 loss to the Mariners at Fenway.
- In 2003, the Cleveland Indians named Wedge the youngest manager in Major League Baseball.
- in 2005, he finished second in the Manager of the Year Voting.
Trivia
- As a manager, Wedge is 74-105 in one-run games.
- Eric starred for Northrop High School in his hometown of Fort Wayne, and helped lead them to the state baseball championship in 1983.
Transactions
- June 5, 1989: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 3rd round of the 1989 amateur draft. Player signed June 26, 1989.
- November 17, 1992: Drafted by the Colorado Rockies from the Boston Red Sox as the 48th pick in the 1992 Expansion Draft.
- March 29, 1994: Released by the Colorado Rockies.
- May 2, 1994: Signed as a Free Agent with the Boston Red Sox.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
