1. Overview
Alfredo Claudino Baptist Read Griffin, born on October 6, 1957, is a prominent Dominican former professional baseball player who specialized as a shortstop in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 18 seasons, spanning from 1976 to 1993. His distinguished playing career included sharing the American League Rookie of the Year Award, earning a Gold Glove Award, and contributing to two World Series championships. Following his retirement as a player, Griffin transitioned into coaching, serving in various capacities for MLB teams and the Dominican Republic national baseball team in international competitions.
2. Early Life and Professional Debut
Alfredo Claudino Baptist Read Griffin was born on October 6, 1957. His professional baseball journey began in 1973 when he was signed by the Cleveland Indians as an amateur free agent. After several years in their system, Griffin made his initial entry into Major League Baseball. On December 5, 1978, before completing a full season at the major league level, he was traded by the Indians to the Toronto Blue Jays. This trade, which also involved Phil Lansford (minors) going to Toronto, brought Víctor Cruz to Cleveland.
3. Playing Career
Alfredo Griffin's extensive playing career spanned nearly two decades, during which he played for four different MLB teams and achieved several significant milestones, including individual awards and team championships.
3.1. Cleveland Indians and First Stint with Toronto Blue Jays (1973-1984)
Griffin started his professional baseball career within the Cleveland Indians organization, having signed with them in 1973. He later made his major league debut with the team before being traded to the Toronto Blue Jays on December 5, 1978. Upon joining the Blue Jays, Griffin made an immediate and substantial impact during his rookie season in 1979. His performance earned him a share of the American League Rookie of the Year Award, which he co-won with John Castino of the Minnesota Twins.
In 1980, Griffin demonstrated his offensive capabilities by leading all of Major League Baseball in triples, tallying 15. This achievement placed him in a tie with Willie Wilson of the Kansas City Royals. Both Griffin and Wilson established an American League record for the most triples in a single season by a switch-hitter. Although Wilson later broke this shared record in 1985 with 21 triples, Griffin's 1980 performance remained a notable career highlight.
Griffin's strong play was recognized in 1984 when he was named to the American League All-Star team. His selection was unusual; as reported by John Feinstein of The Washington Post, Griffin attended the All-Star festivities as the guest of his Toronto teammate, second baseman Dámaso García. When the Detroit Tigers' shortstop Alan Trammell was unable to play due to an arm injury, American League Manager Joe Altobelli named Griffin to the team, acknowledging his skill but also humorously noting his convenient presence. During his initial six-year tenure with the Blue Jays from 1979 to 1984, Griffin displayed remarkable durability by playing in 392 consecutive games.
3.2. Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers (1985-1991)
Following the 1984 season, Griffin was traded from the Toronto Blue Jays to the Oakland Athletics. While with the Athletics, despite having a reputation for being reluctant to draw walks and being overly aggressive on the basepaths, Griffin began to fulfill some of the offensive potential he had shown earlier in his career. In 1985, he achieved a significant defensive honor, winning the Gold Glove Award as the American League shortstop. This period with the Athletics saw him set personal bests in most offensive statistical categories.
Before the 1988 season, Griffin was part of a major three-team trade that sent him to the Los Angeles Dodgers in exchange for Bob Welch. This complex deal, which also involved the New York Mets, brought pitchers Jay Howell and Jesse Orosco to the Dodgers, who joined teammates such as Kirk Gibson and Orel Hershiser. Remarkably, all three teams involved in this trade went on to win their respective division titles in 1988. Griffin's 1988 season was interrupted in May when a fastball thrown by Dwight Gooden broke his hand, causing him to miss time. However, he recovered and returned to start all 12 of the Dodgers' postseason games at shortstop, playing a crucial role as the team ultimately won their first 1988 World Series title, defeating the favored Oakland Athletics.
In 1990, while playing for the Dodgers, Griffin became the last player in the National League, among those who qualified for the batting title, to finish last in three key offensive categories: batting average, on-base percentage, and slugging percentage.
Griffin also holds a unique distinction in baseball history related to perfect games. He was the first player in Major League history to have started three times for the opposing lineups in a perfect game. These instances include playing for the Toronto Blue Jays against Len Barker of Cleveland in 1981, and then twice for the Los Angeles Dodgers against Tom Browning of Cincinnati in 1988 and Dennis Martínez of Montreal in 1991.
3.3. Return to Toronto and Career Conclusion (1992-1993)
In 1992, Alfredo Griffin made a significant return to the Toronto Blue Jays, the team where he had achieved early career success. During this second stint, he served primarily as a bench player. His return coincided with a historic period for the Blue Jays, as they won the first of two consecutive World Series championships. Key teammates on the 1992 championship squad included Roberto Alomar, Joe Carter, Pat Borders, Juan Guzmán, David Cone, and Dave Winfield, under manager Cito Gaston.
Griffin remained with the Blue Jays through the 1993 season, again contributing as a bench player as the team secured its second consecutive World Series title. His playing career dramatically concluded on October 23, 1993, during Game Six of the World Series. He was standing on deck, ready to bat, as his teammate Joe Carter faced Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Mitch Williams in the bottom of the ninth inning. Moments later, Carter hit a walk-off home run, securing the World Series victory for Toronto and simultaneously bringing Griffin's distinguished 18-year playing career to an end. Other notable teammates on the 1993 championship team included Paul Molitor, Tony Fernández, Pat Hentgen, and Dave Stewart.
3.4. Overall Playing Statistics and Style
Alfredo Griffin concluded his 18-year Major League Baseball playing career with comprehensive statistics that reflect his role primarily as a defensive shortstop. Over 1,962 games played, he maintained a career batting average of .249. He hit 24 home runs and accumulated 527 runs batted in (RBI). His adjusted OPS+ (On-base Plus Slugging Plus) was 67, indicating his offensive production was below league average, but his defensive prowess was a key component of his value.
Beyond his statistics, Griffin was known for a distinctive playing style, particularly on the bases. Renowned baseball writer Bill James identified Griffin as the "most aggressive baserunner" of the 1980s, highlighting his daring and often unpredictable approach to baserunning. This aggressive style, alongside his defensive reliability, characterized his contributions to the teams he played for throughout his extensive career.
4. Coaching Career
After retiring as a player, Alfredo Griffin seamlessly transitioned into a coaching career, dedicating himself to developing players and contributing to team successes at both the Major League and international levels.
4.1. Major League Baseball Coaching
Alfredo Griffin began his Major League Baseball coaching career with his former team, the Toronto Blue Jays, serving as a coach in 1996 and 1997. After his tenure in Toronto, Griffin joined the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, where he held the position of first base coach for a significant period, from 2000 to 2018. During his time with the Angels, the team achieved a notable milestone by winning the 2002 World Series. As a first base coach, he worked closely with players such as Tim Salmon, Garret Anderson, Troy Glaus, and David Eckstein, under the leadership of manager Mike Scioscia and alongside hitting coach Mickey Hatcher.
4.2. International and Winter League Coaching
In addition to his Major League coaching roles, Griffin has been actively involved in baseball within his native Dominican Republic and on the international stage. He served as a coach for the Estrellas Orientales (Eastern Stars) in the Dominican Republic's Winter League, contributing to the development of baseball talent in his home country.
Griffin also played a key role as a coach for the Dominican Republic national baseball team in multiple editions of the World Baseball Classic. He was part of the coaching staff for the 2009 tournament, which featured prominent players like Hanley Ramírez, Miguel Tejada, David Ortiz, and Robinson Canó, under manager Felipe Alou. He continued his involvement as a coach in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, where the Dominican Republic team achieved historic success by winning the championship, becoming the first and only team to do so undefeated. This championship team was managed by Tony Peña and included stars such as Robinson Canó, Edwin Encarnación, and Nelson Cruz. Griffin's coaching contributions extended to the 2017 World Baseball Classic, where he again served under manager Tony Peña, with a roster that included top talents like Manny Machado, Nelson Cruz, José Bautista, and Adrián Beltré.
5. Legacy and Impact
Alfredo Griffin's legacy in baseball is characterized by his longevity as a player, his defensive excellence, and his subsequent dedication to coaching. As a shortstop, he was recognized for his consistent play, earning accolades such as the shared American League Rookie of the Year Award and a Gold Glove Award. His participation in three perfect games from the opposing dugout and his role in two World Series championship teams with the Toronto Blue Jays (1992, 1993) highlight his consistent presence in significant baseball moments.
Beyond his playing career, Griffin's nearly two decades as a Major League first base coach, including his tenure with the Los Angeles Angels during their 2002 World Series victory, underscore his lasting contributions to the sport. His ongoing involvement with the Dominican Republic national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic, particularly during their 2013 championship run, further cements his influence on international baseball development and his impact on the next generations of players. Griffin is remembered as a resilient and dedicated figure, who transitioned from an accomplished player to a respected coach, leaving a significant mark on the game of baseball.