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Mo Vaughn

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Mo Vaughn
Vaughn playing first base with theBoston Red Sox
First baseman
Born:(1967-12-15)December 15, 1967(age 56)
Norwalk, Connecticut,U.S.
Batted:Left
Threw:Right
MLB debut
June 27, 1991, for the Boston Red Sox
Last MLB appearance
May 2, 2003, for the New York Mets
MLB statistics
Batting average.293
Home runs328
Runs batted in1,064
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Maurice Samuel Vaughn(born December 15, 1967), nicknamed "the Hit Dog",is an American formerMajor League Baseballfirst basemanwho played for theBoston Red Sox,Anaheim Angels,andNew York Metsfrom 1991 to 2003. He was a three-timeAll-Starselection and won theAmerican LeagueMVP awardin1995with Boston.

Early life and education

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Vaughn with theWareham Gatemenin 1988

Vaughn attendedNew Canaan Country SchoolinNew Canaan, Connecticut.[1]He played baseball forTrinity-Pawling SchoolinPawling, New York.[2][3]

Vaughn playedcollege baseballatSeton Hallfor head coachMike Sheppard.While there he set the school record for home runs with 28. In his three years at Seton Hall he hit a total of 57 home runs and 218 RBIs, both team records.[4]His teammates included seven-time All-Star and Hall of FamerCraig Biggio,Red Sox teammateJohn Valentin,andKevin Morton.Vaughn earned the Jack Kaiser Award as MVP of the1987 Big East Conference baseball tournamentwhile keying the Pirates' championship run.[5]

While at Seton Hall, Vaughn playedcollegiate summer baseballfor two years (1987–88) with theWareham Gatemenof theCape Cod Baseball League(CCBL), and in 2000 was named a member of the inaugural class of the CCBLHall of Fame.[6]

At Seton Hall, his brothers inOmega Psi Phigave him the nickname "Hit Dog."[7]

Professional career

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Boston Red Sox

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Vaughn became the centerpiece of the Red Sox'sline-upin 1993, hitting 29home runsand contributing 101RBIs.In 1995, he established a reputation as one of the most feared hitters in the American League when he hit 39 home runs with 126 RBIs and a.300average.He also garnered 11stolen bases.His efforts, which led the Red Sox to the playoffs (only to lose to theCleveland Indiansin theAmerican League Division Series), were rewarded with the American LeagueMVP award.

Vaughn had his career year with the Red Sox in 1996, playing in 161 games with a batting average of.326 and a career-high 44 home runs, 143 RBIs, 207 hits and 118 runs scored. On September 24, 1996, he hit three home runs against the Orioles, going 4–5 with five RBI in a 13–8 win. On April 15, 1997, MLB retired the number 42 to honourJackie Robinson,but Vaughn was one of multiple players who were allowed to continue wearing the number for the rest of their careers. In a May 30, 1997, game against the Yankees, Vaughn went 4-for-4 with three solo homers in the Red Sox's 10–4 win.[2]

Vaughn continued to improve over the next several seasons, batting.315 or higher from 1996 to 1998 and averaging 40 home runs and 118 RBIs. The Red Sox lost in the American League Division Series in 1998, once again to theCleveland Indians,although Vaughn played well, hitting two home runs and driving in seven runs in game one.

He was noted for "crowding the plate"; his stance was such that his frontelbowoften appeared to be hovering in thestrike zone,which intimidatedpitchersinto throwing outside pitches.

Last season with the Sox

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Though Vaughn's powerful personality and extensive charity work made him a popular figure in Boston, he had many issues with the Red Sox management and local media; his disagreements withBoston Globesports columnistWill McDonoughand Red Soxgeneral managerDan Duquettewere particularly acute. As an outspoken clubhouse leader, Vaughn repeatedly stated that the concerned Sox administration did not want him around. Incidents in which he allegedly punched a man in the mouth outside of a nightclub and crashed his truck while returning home from a strip club inProvidenceled to further rifts with the administration.

Vaughn hit awalk-offgrand slamin the ninth inning ofOpening DayatFenway Parkagainst theSeattle Marinersin 1998. Vaughn was one half of a formidable middle of the lineup with shortstopNomar Garciaparra.The two combined for 75 home runs in 1998, Vaughn's final year with the club. After the Cleveland Indians knocked Boston out of the playoffs in the first round, Vaughn became afree agent.Almost immediately, he signed a six-year, $80-million deal with theAnaheim Angels,[8]the highest contract in the game at that time.

Anaheim Angels

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While he hit well for Anaheim when he played—he hit 30-plus home runs and knocked in over 100 runs in both 1999 and 2000—Vaughn was plagued by injuries in 1999 and didn't play a single game in the 2001 season. He started his Anaheim career by falling down the visitor's dugout steps on his first play of his first game, badly spraining his ankle. Vaughn was nevertheless seen as a viable middle of the line-up producer before the 2002 season and was traded to theNew York MetsforKevin Appieron December 27, 2001.

Following Vaughn's departure from Anaheim, Angels closerTroy Percivaltook a shot at him, saying "We may miss Mo's bat, but we won't miss his leadership.Darin Erstadis our leader. "This prompted the normally mild-mannered Vaughn to go off on a profanity-laced tirade.[9][10]

New York Mets

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With the Mets, Vaughn was counted upon to be a key catalyst in a revamped lineup that featured importsRoger Cedeño,Jeromy Burnitz,andRoberto Alomar.Vaughn got off to a slow start in 2002, and he was ridiculed in local sports columns and on sports talk radio shows for being out of shape; he weighed 268 pounds during his first season in New York. However, he hit his 300th career home run on April 3 against Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcherKip Wellsand a game winning three-run home run in the 8th inning of a game on June 16 that gave the Mets a 3–2 win over the Yankees. He hit a memorable 505-foot home run atShea Stadium(in the middle of the "Bud" sign on the Shea scoreboard) on June 26, and he finished the season with 26 home runs and 72 RBI.[11]

In 2003, he played less than a month before knee problems ended the season for him. In January 2004, he announced that his knee problems would not allow him to play in the upcoming season. Vaughn's agent said that Vaughn was not announcing his retirement, but Vaughn acknowledged that he was unlikely to ever play again.[12]At the time of his retirement, Vaughn was one of the two final players to wear the number 42, the other beingMariano Rivera(who retired in 2013).

Career statistics

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Over 12 seasons, Vaughn was in 1512games played,compiling a.293batting average(1620–5532) with 861runs,270doubles,328home runs,1064RBI,725bases on balls,.383on-base percentageand.523slugging percentage.He had five consecutive seasons with a batting average greater than.300 (1994–98). In seven post-season games, he hit.226 (7–31) with 4 runs, 2 home runs and 7 RBI. His careerfielding percentagewas.988 as a first baseman.[2]

Personal life

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In July 1995, Vaughn suffered an eye injury as a result of a fight at a Boston nightclub which caused him to miss two games. No charges were filed or arrests made.[13]

In January 1998, Vaughn was arrested and charged with drunk driving after crashing into a disabled car on the side of the road and struggling withfield sobriety testsinNorwood, Massachusetts.[14]He was ultimately acquitted after a jury trial in March.[15]

Vaughn is a managing director of OMNI New YorK, LLC, along with Eugene Schneur, which has bought and rehabilitated 1,142 units of distressed housing in theNew York metropolitan area.The company also manages these properties to provide low cost housing using government tax credits. He purchased the Noble Drew Ali Plaza inBrownsville, Brooklynfor $21 million, and plans to add massive security upgrades and renovate it.[16] He has also been involved in refurbishing theWhitney YoungManor inYonkers, New York,a development first constructed by a company owned by his heroJackie Robinson.Besides the New York metropolitan area, his company is also involved in projects inCheyenne,MiamiandLas Vegasand has expressed an interest in Boston.[17]

In January 2009, it had been reported byWCVB-TVin Boston that Vaughn had recently committed to investing "$6 million in improvements to the 168-unit Sycamore Village complex that will include new appliances and exterior renovations. Vaughn said his company does not tolerate guns, drugs and criminal behavior. Planning Director Michael Sweeney said Omni's purchase is a 'major reinvestment' in the city" ofLawrence, Massachusetts.[This quote needs a citation]

Vaughn lived[when?]inGates Mills, Ohio,[18]and was the president of a trucking company (Mo Vaughn Transport) inSolon.[19]Vaughn sold the company in 2018.

On April 18, 2013, Vaughn bought an advertisement section ofThe Boston Globeand used it to salute those involved in helping the victims of the April 15, 2013 Patriots Day Bombing in Boston. "You are all heroes in my eyes", wrote Vaughn, "Boston will march on."[This quote needs a citation]

Vaughn became eligible for theNational Baseball Hall of Famein 2009. 75% of the vote was necessary for induction, and 5% was necessary to stay on the ballot. He received 1.1% of the vote and dropped off the ballot.

Performance-enhancing drugs

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It was revealed on December 13, 2007, in thereportby SenatorGeorge J. Mitchellthat Vaughn had purchasedsteroidsor otherperformance-enhancing drugsfromKirk Radomski,who said he delivered the drugs to him personally. Radomski produced three checks, one for $2,200 and two more for $3,200, from Vaughn, one of the latter dated June 1, 2001, and another dated June 19, 2001. Radomski said that the higher checks were for two kits ofHGH,while the lower one was for one and a half kits. Vaughn's name, address and telephone number were listed in an address book seized from Radomski's house by federal agents. Vaughn's trainer instructed him to take HGH in attempt to recover from injury.

Mitchell requested a meeting with Vaughn in order to provide Vaughn with the information about these allegations and to give him an opportunity to respond, but Vaughn never agreed to set a meeting.[20]

See also

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References

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  1. ^Chass, Murray (March 22, 1999)."BASEBALL; Vaughn Brings Bat and Leadership".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedMarch 6,2019.
  2. ^abc"Mo Vaughn".Baseball-Reference.RetrievedApril 23,2013.
  3. ^"Dedication of Mo Vaughn '86 Baseball Field".Trinity-Pawling school viaYouTube.September 29, 2012.Archivedfrom the original on December 12, 2021.
  4. ^1991 Score card # 750.
  5. ^2012 Big East Baseball Media Guide.Big East Conference. p. 66. Archived fromthe originalon March 26, 2013.RetrievedJanuary 21,2013.
  6. ^"Hall of Fame Ceremony 20 January 2001".capecodbaseball.org.RetrievedSeptember 1,2019.
  7. ^Dawidoff, Nicholas (April 1, 1991)."They're Hungry for Mo".Sports Illustrated.RetrievedJune 2,2022.
  8. ^"Risk of further injury is too high".ESPN.January 25, 2004.RetrievedNovember 8,2008.
  9. ^Vaughn Blasts Percival, Team–The Los Angeles TimesArchived2014-04-19 at theWayback Machine
  10. ^"ESPN: MLB - Curses! Percival's criticism sends Mo into ugly rage".espn.RetrievedDecember 18,2021.
  11. ^Axisa, Mike (December 27, 2014)."Unhappy anniversary: Mets trade for Mo Vaughn".CBSSports.
  12. ^Caldwell, Dave (January 9, 2004)."BASEBALL; Vaughn Is out for the year And is unlikely to return".The New York Times.
  13. ^Doyle, Paul (July 16, 1995)."Vaughn Says He Would Stand up Again for Friend".Orlando Sentinel.RetrievedJanuary 31,2021.
  14. ^"Boston's Mo Vaughn Charged With Drunken Driving After Accident".The Spokesman-Review.January 10, 1998.RetrievedJanuary 31,2021.
  15. ^Golen, Jimmy (March 3, 1998)."Mass. Jury Acquits Mo Vaughn".Associated Press.RetrievedJanuary 31,2021.
  16. ^RICH CALDER (January 10, 2007)."MO'S THE MAN OF THE HOUSE".New York Post.Archived fromthe originalon April 2, 2007.RetrievedJune 17,2007.
  17. ^Stan Grossfeld (June 17, 2007)."Vaughn is in rebuilding mode".Boston Globe.RetrievedJune 17,2007.
  18. ^Mo Vaughn means business - Crain's Cleveland BusinessRetrieved 2018-05-20.
  19. ^McIntyre, Michael K. (August 28, 2011)."'Divine intervention' lands a baseball buyer for Ken Lanci's posh pad: Michael K. McIntyre's Tipoff ".The Plain Dealer.Cleveland, Ohio.RetrievedSeptember 1,2011.
  20. ^Mitchell, George (December 13, 2007)."Report to the Commissioner of Baseball of an Independent Investigation into the Illegal Use of Steroids and Other Performance Enhancing Substances by Players in Major League Baseball"(PDF).MLB.RetrievedJune 25,2012.
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Preceded by American League Player of the Month
May 1996 		Succeeded by
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