Rick Manning | |||
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Center fielder | |||
Born: Niagara Falls, New York |
September 2, 1954 |||
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MLB debut | |||
May 23, 1975, for the Cleveland Indians | |||
Last MLB appearance | |||
October 4, 1987, for the Milwaukee Brewers | |||
MLB statistics | |||
Batting average | .257 | ||
Home runs | 56 | ||
Runs batted in | 458 | ||
Teams | |||
Career highlights and awards | |||
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Richard Eugene Manning (born September 2, 1954 in Niagara Falls, New York) is a former center fielder and current broadcaster in Major League Baseball (MLB), who played for the Cleveland Indians (1975-1983) and Milwaukee Brewers (1983–1987), and has been a color commentator for Cleveland Indians telecasts since 1990.
Manning, who was the second overall selection in the 1972 MLB draft, made his major league debut with the Indians during the 1975 season. In 1976, he was recognized for his defensive play by winning the American League Gold Glove Award.
Manning's involvement with teammate Dennis Eckersley's wife led to the Indians' front office's decision to trade one of the players. Eckersley, a future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, was traded with Fred Kendall on March 30, 1978 to the Boston Red Sox for Rick Wise, Mike Paxton, Bo Díaz and Ted Cox.
After playing five more seasons with the Indians, Manning was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers during the 1983 season. As a member of the Brewers, he hit a 10th-inning single on August 26, 1987 as the Brewers defeated the Indians 1-0. Brewers fans actually booed Manning for driving in the winning run because Paul Molitor was on deck and looking to extend his 39-game hit streak. Manning's walk-off single deprived Molitor of one last chance to reach 40 games as he went 0-for-4 in the contest.