Danny Goodwin

Danny Kay Goodwin

• Bats Left, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 195 lb.
• School Southern University and A&M College
• High School Peoria Central High School
• Debut September 3, 1975
• Final Game July 7, 1982
• Born September 2, 1953 in St. Louis, MO USA

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Biographical Information

Danny Goodwin is the only player to be drafted first overall in the amateur draft twice. He was selected by the Chicago White Sox in 1971 and by the California Angels in 1975. Goodwin was the All-Star catcher for the 1973 FEMBA Amateur World Series. However, as a pro, an arm injury moved him away from the catching spot, and forced him to be mainly a designated hitter.

He first came to the majors with the Angels at the end of the 1975 season, going 1-for-10. He received somewhat longer looks in 1977 and 1978, but never played a single game in the field in those three seasons, being limited to DH'ing. Before the 1979 season, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins along with Ron Jackson in return for OF Dan Ford. He played a few games at first base that year, with Jackson seeing the bulk of the action at the position, and was otherwise a DH, hitting .289 in 58 games and 159 at-bats in what was his busiest season. He appeared in a similar number of games in 1980 and 1981, but failed to do much with the bat, which was his only asset, batting .200 and .225 with little power. In 1982, he finished his career with 17 games with the Oakland Athletics.

Overall in the majors, he hit .236 with 13 homers in 252 games, making him one of the biggest busts among first overall picks who were position players, alongside Steve Chilcott, Shawn Abner and Al Chambers.

He was elected to the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2011.

Further Reading

• Cole Jacobson: "Meet the only player drafted No. 1 overall twice", mlb.com, July 4, 2023. [1]

Related Sites

• The Legend of Danny Goodwin, from the Hardball Times