Tom Goffena

Thomas Joseph Goffena

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 0", Weight 155 lb.
• School Sidney High School
• Born June 11, 1959 in Sidney, OH USA
• Died June 11, 2020 in Sidney, OH USA

BR Minors page

Tom Goffena was the first player ever drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays. He only played three seasons in the minors before his career ended due to injury. His brother David Goffena also played for the Jays chain.

Tom was picked 25th overall in the 1977 amateur draft, one pick before Dave Henderson. He was picked as a short-stop out of high school. Goffena hit .255/.355/.280 for the 1977 Utica Blue Jays, stealing 15 bases in 16 tries. He fielded .932 at shortstop. He was just 1 for 8 for the Dunedin Blue Jays before injuring his back in 1978. He returned in '79, still battling back problems, and hit .229/.318/.240 for Dunedin. His speed had not returned as he was just 3-for-8 in steal attempts. He injured his hamstring in spring training in 1980 and asked for and received his release.

Goffena later worked for the highway department in Shelby County, Ohio.

Sources

• MLB.com
• Article on Goffena's bat and contract going to the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame
• Canadian Hall of Fame article showing his bat