Tucker Ashford

Thomas Steven Ashford

• Bats Right, Throws Right
• Height 6' 1", Weight 195 lb.
• School Shelby State Community College, University of Mississippi
• High School Covington (TN) High School
• Debut September 21, 1976
• Final Game May 14, 1984
• Born December 4, 1954 in Memphis, TN USA

BR page

Biographical Information

Tucker Ashford was an infielder who first came up with the San Diego Padres at the end of the 1976 season. He got some significant playing time in both 1977 and 1978, hitting .217 in 81 games the first year and .245 in 75 games the second, with 3 homers each year. He was one of a number of players that the Padres tried at third base during that period, but failed to hold onto the position for the longer term.

He spent 1979 in the minors, then was traded to the Texas Rangers before the 1980 season, accompanying the disgruntled Gaylord Perry in a deal for 1B Willie Montanez. He spent most of that season in the minors as well, hitting just .125 in 15 games for Texas. After the season, he was traded to the New York Yankees for Roger Holt and only appeared in 3 games in the big leagues in 1981, without a plate appearance. He then moved between organizations a few times over the next two seasons, spending what amounted to one spring training with the Toronto Blue Jays before returning to the Yankees and then going to the New York Mets in a minor league deal. He dis spend the majority of the 1983 season with the Mets, but mostly sat on the bench, hitting .179 in 35 games. He then finished his career with the Kansas City Royals in 1984, where he hit .154 in 9 games. Overall, in 7 major league seasons, he hit .232 in 160 games, with 6 homers.

He had a much more substantial minor league career, which lasted from 1974 to 1985 and included nine seasons in AAA. He was in double figures in homers four times, and had two full seasons in which he batted .300 or better. This success in the high minors meant that he was regularly given a look in the Show, but could never establish himself. In all, he played 1,072 minor league games, batting .275. His crowning achievement was being named MVP of the International League with the Columbus Clippers, the Yankees' top farm team, in 1982, when he hit .332 with 35 doubles, 10 homers, 98 runs and 101 RBIs in 137 games.

Immediately following his playing career, he became a minor league manager in the Mets organization for four seasons, winning a league championship with the Columbia Mets of the South Atlantic League in 1985.

Notable Achievements

• 1982 MVP International League Columbus Clippers

Year-by-Year Managerial Record

Year	Team	League	Record	Finish	Organization	Playoffs
1985	Kingsport Mets	Appalachian League	26-44	8th	New York Mets
1986	Columbia Mets	South Atlantic League	90-42	1st	New York Mets	League Champs
1987	Jackson Mets	Texas League	70-66	5th (t)	New York Mets	Lost League Finals
1988	Jackson Mets	Texas League	61-75	7th	New York Mets