Brook Jacoby
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Brook Wallace Jacoby (born November 23, 1959 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. Jacoby played in the major leagues from 1981 through 1992, and in Japan in 1993. He batted and threw right handed.
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[edit] Early career
Jacoby was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 7th round of the 1979 amateur draft. He played in the Braves' minor league system for five years, until being traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1983 along with Brett Butler and Rick Behenna for Cleveland pitcher Len Barker.
[edit] Major league career
Jacoby had limited playing time in Atlanta in 1981 and 1983, only for a total of 15 games played. 1984 was his first full major league season; he finished the year with a .264 batting average, 116 hits, and seven home runs. All his statistics would improve in 1985; batting average to .274, 166 hits, 20 home runs, and a career high 87 RBI. Jacoby was a poor baserunner and would often strike out (193 in two seasons).
1986 was a landmark year for Jacoby, as he earned his first All-Star Game appearance. While his statistics only improved slightly over 1985 (his average went up to .288 and 168 hits, with fewer home runs and RBI - and more strike outs).
In 1987 Jacoby had the best year of his career, as he batted .300 and had a career high 32 home runs. In addition, he lowered his strike out number to only 73. Jacoby's best season was one of only a few bright spots for a Cleveland team that finished with a record of 62-100.
Jacoby went into a slump in 1988, where he hit .241 and his offensive production on all levels decreased. In spite of this, Jacoby still found playing time as he was Cleveland's only third baseman. 1989 would show a small improvement over the prior year, as he raised his average to .272 and increased his offensive production. Jacoby once again showed improvement in 1990, as his average was .293 and also had his lowest number of strikeouts (58) and earned his second All-Star appearance.
1990 would turn out to be Jacoby's last full season. He suffered from an elbow injury, and in the middle the year was traded to the Oakland Athletics for Lee Tinsley. In total, he hit .224 with only 94 hits and four home runs.
It was not long before Jacoby came back to Cleveland. He became a free agent after 1991, and signed with the Indians in 1992. Although he was signed to back-up starting third baseman Jim Thome, Thome broke his wrist and Jacoby took over the starting job. Sinking to career lows in hits, home runs, and RBIs, he was let go by the Indians at the end of the season.
Jacoby finished his MLB career with a total of 1,220 hits.
[edit] After MLB
Jacoby played for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan , but retired after he had an average of only .183 in 18 games. Jacoby was, however, renowned for his fielding and is generally considered, even in his short experience with the Dragons, to be one of the best fielding third basemen in the history of Japan. He was nicknamed "The Wide Brook."
In 2001, when the Cleveland Indians were celebrating their 100th anniversary, Jacoby was named one of the "100 Greatest Indians". He was among a list that included such greats as Al Rosen, Bob Feller, and Lou Boudreau.
On November 3, 2006, the Cincinnati Reds signed Jacoby as their hitting coach.
There is currently a big push to get Jacoby into the Hall of Fame by fans in Atlanta, Oakland, Cleveland, and Chunichi.
[edit] External links
- Baseball Reference - career statistics and analysis
- Baseball Library - profile and chronology
