Fun Trivia : Graig Nettles

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Interesting Questions, Facts, and Information

Graig Nettles

Graig Nettles is best known for his time with the Yankees. But he also played for 5 other teams during his career. With which team did he play his rookie season?

Graig Nettles


Minnesota Twins. He started with Minnesota in 1967, and played there through 1969. He then played for Cleveland from 1970 through 1972, when he was traded to the Yankees. He played for San Diego from 1984 through 1986, and played in the '84 World Series with them against Detroit. He finished his career with Atlanta in 1987, and Montreal in 1988.



Nettles wore number 9 while on the Yankees. What Yankee player wore the same number in previous years, and later had that number retired for him?

Graig Nettles


Roger Maris. Even though he was never elected to the Hall of Fame, Maris had the number 9 retired for him in 1984, mainly because of his American League record 61 home runs in 1961, and his 203 homers that he hit while with the Yanks. Graig Nettles led the AL in homers in 1976 with 32, but had his career high one year later with 37 home runs. He hit 250 homers with the Yankees, and 390 in his major league career.



Many baseball players have nicknames. What was the nickname given to Nettles?

Graig Nettles


Puff. He got the nickname because he had the habit of talking with his teammates, offering a wisecrack, and then disappearing like a puff of smoke. He also was called the Human Vaccum Cleaner because he was such a good defensive player. Bucky Dent was his teammate with the Yankees from 1977 to 1982. Mr. Dirt was teammate Dick Tidrow. The Hitman was one of Yankee great Don Mattingly's nicknames.



Nettles was well known for his funny jokes about his teammates and other players. What did he say about ex-teammate Sparky Lyle when Lyle left the Yankees one year after winning the Cy Young award?

Graig Nettles


In one year Sparky Lyle has gone from Cy Young to sayonara. He said this as Lyle left as a free agent after realizing that Goose Gossage would be the Yanks' new closer. Another funny line from Nettles was when he was asked what it was like to play for a Yankee team that was always filled with controversy. He said, "When I was a little boy I wanted to be a baseball player and join the circus. With the Yankees, I've accomplished both. "Another time, he was fined for missing a mandatory luncheon. He said, "If this club wants somebody to play third base, they've got me. If they want somebody to go to luncheons, they should hire George Jessel". Jessel was an old time comedian who later thanked Nettles for getting his name in the news again.



Graig Nettles was well known for his great defense at third base. How many Gold Glove awards did he win in his career?

Graig Nettles


2. He won his awards in 1977 and 1978. Those were the years in which he had his highest fielding percentage, .974 in '77, and .975 in '78. He had a .961 percentage for his entire career. He was also a 6 time All Star during his career. In 1975, 1977, 1978, 1979, and 1980 with the Yankees, and in 1985 with the Padres.



Nettles played a lot of games at third for the Yankees. But in 1980, he missed almost half the season for what reason?

Graig Nettles


Hepatitis. He got sick in July of that year, and didn't play again until the last day of the regular season. The Yankees had an 8 1/2 game lead over Milwaukee when he got sick, and almost blew their lead, finishing 3 games ahead of Baltimore. To make up for his absence, the Yankees traded for Aurelio Rodriguez from Detroit. Although he wasn't as good a hitter, he was well known for being an excellent defensive third baseman, having won the Gold Glove Award in 1976.



Graig Nettles had one of his best defensive games in a particular World Series game. What game and against what opponent was it?

Graig Nettles


1978 WS, Game 3, LA Dodgers. In Game 3 of that series, with the Yankees trailing 2 games to 0, he made several sensational plays at third, helping out starting pitcher Ron Guidry. He helped Guidry get the win, 5-1, and sparked the Yankees towards 4 straight victories to win the series. Dodger manager Tommy Lasorda was seen in the dugout getting completely frustrated at the great defense.



Graig Nettles was captain of the Yankees?

Graig Nettles


t. Nettles was made captain for a brief period during the 1983 season. He was the first team captain since Thurman Munson, who was killed in a 1979 plane crash. Nettles was traded to San Diego less than a year after getting the honor, and a short while later Ron Guidry and Willie Randolph were named co-captains.



There is always at least one player that stands out in every post-season series. While playing for the Yankees, Graig Nettles won the MVP award in which playoff series?

Graig Nettles


1981 American League Championship Series. Nettles hit .500 in the 1981 ALCS, going 6 for 12 with 9 RBI'S, in the Yankees' 3 game sweep over Oakland. He had 3 RBI's in each game, the last 3 coming in the top of the 9th inning of game 3, leading the Yankees to a 4-0 win. Unfortunately, he wasn't as much of a factor in the World Series that year, breaking his thumb in game 2 against the Dodgers. The Yankees never won another game in that series after he got hurt, and lost that series 4 games to 2.



Nettles was never known to back away from a fight on the field. What Boston player did he injure during a 1976 brawl, ruining the Red Sox' chances at repeating as American League champs?

Graig Nettles


Bill Lee. It happened on May 20, 1976, and started when Yankee Lou Piniella got into a fight at home plate with Boston catcher Carlton Fisk. In the middle of the fight, Nettles picked up Bill "Spaceman" Lee, and threw him to the ground. Unfortunately, Lee landed on his pitching shoulder, and suffered torn ligaments. He had won 17 games the previous season, so he was missed by Boston while on the disabled list, winning only 5 games that year. The Yankees easily finished in first place. Lee never forgave the Yankees for that incident. I can remember Nettles getting into a melee with George Brett of the KC Royals during the 1977 ALCS, but fortunately, nobody was injured in that one.