Kevin Mitchell

Kevin Mitchell, completely fucking crazy

Kevin Mitchell is the starting third baseman and #2 hitter for San Francisco on the NES version of RBI. Mitchell is the opening hitter for the back-to-back-to-back righty 2/3/4 hitters of San Francisco. Though the least powerful of the three, Mitchell is a quality hitter who is capable of the big game.

Mitchell grew up in a rough ara of San Diego, and baseball proved to be his way out of the gang life. He was a member of the Syndos, one of the most notorious gangs in San Diego, and in fact was shot on three different occasions when growning up.

RBI Stats

• Right-handed hitter
• .280 Batting Average
• 22 Home Runs
• 849 Power Rating
• 18 Contact Rating
• 126 Speed Rating

Bio

• Born on January 13, 1962 in San Diego, CA
• Played in the Big Leagues from 1984 - 1998
• Was the National League MVP in 1989, leading the league in HR, RBI, SLG, OPS and IW.
• A two-time All-Star (1989 and 1990)
• During his MVP season of 1989, made one of the most-replayed defensive plays of the decade, catching a foul ball barehanded after overrunning it intially.
• Played one season for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks in Japan in 1995, signing a then-record $4.5 million contract. He injured his knee during the season, and left the team for ten weeks during the season in a dispute over his request to return to the US for treatment.
• During his time playing for the Sonoma County Crushers of the Western League, he served as a Big Brother for inner-city youth, frequently taking them out for paintball and lunch.
• Is alleged to purchase duffel bags full of tacos from Taco Bell, eat one bite, and throw the rest out the window.
• Singled and later scored the tying run in the Mets' Game 6 victory over the Red Sox in the 1986 World Series. Mitchell was allegedly in the clubhouse on the phone, making flight reservations back to San Diego, when he was called on to pinch-hit.

Trades Involved In

• Signed by the New York Mets as an amateur free agent in 1980.
• Traded by the New York Mets with Kevin Armstrong, Kevin Brown, Shawn Abner, and Stan Jefferson to the San Diego Padres for Kevin McReynolds, Gene Walter, and Adam Ging on Dec. 11, 1996.
• Traded by the San Diego Padres with Dave Dravecky and Craig Lefferts to the San Francisco Giants for Chris Brown, Keith Comstock, Mark Davis, and Mark Grant on July 4, 1987, in large part because of various distractions related to playing in his hometown. The trade worked for both parties, as Mitchell was MVP in 1989, while Mark Davis was Cy Young.
• Traded by the San Francisco Giants with Mike Remlinger to the Seattle Mariners for Bill Swift, Mike Jackson, and Dave Burba on Dec. 11, 1991
• Traded by the Seattle Mariners to the Cincinnati Reds for Norm Charlton on November 17, 1992.
• Traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Cincinnati Reds for Roberto Mejia and Brad Tweedie on July 30, 1996.

Hall of Shame Entries

Mitchell's famous bare handed catch

• Was shot three times during his brief stint as a member of the Syndos street gang in San Diego.
• Before making a name for himself in MLB circles, Mitchell got into a brawl with a young Darryl Strawberry during a pickup baseketball game in 1981.
• Sued by a former girlfriend in 1989, who claimed that Mitchell beat her and threatened her with a gun. Charges were dropped after Mitchell agreed to enter a domestic violence program.
• In 1990, he was four days late to spring training because he got injured eating a microwaved donut, requiring root canal work.
• Injured himself while eating a cupcake - though this is heavily documented, details are scant. It may be an offshoot of the oh-so-true donut injury.
• Missed a game after straining his eyelids
• Became the first player in Cleveland Indians franchise history who was unable to complete an 850-yard training run.
• With good buddy Dwight Gooden over at his house, Mitchell cut off the head of his girlfriend's cat.
• Missed some time because he strained a muscle while vomiting
• Is rumored to eat Vicks Vapor Rub. Somehow I think that might be related to the vomiting injuries...
• Was arrested in August of 1999 for felony battery after hitting his own father during a dispute. It gets better... The dispute took place because Mitchell was trying to evict his own father from a house he was renting him. Apparently daddy was a bit behind on the payments. This is easily my favorite story on the Hall O' Shame....
• As a member of the Western League's Sonoma County Crushers, Mitchell was suspended for 9 games after punching the opposing team's owner in the mouth. Mitchell first started a brawl by rushing the mound after an inside pitch. Mitchell got his owner-shot in shortly after the prevously fight he started had ended.
• In 2002, as manager of the Sonoma County Crushers, Mitchell was suspended for 7 games after punching an opposing team's 3rd base coach. The coach was apparently stealing signs...

Career Stats

G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS
1223	4134	630	1173	224	25	234	760	30	491	719	.284	.360	.520	.880

External Links

• Mitchell's stats on Baseball Reference

Today

• Kevin Mitchell is currently the hitting coach for the Mexicali Aguilas of the Mexican Winter League. Fernando Valenzuela is still pitching for the Aguilas, so technically Mitchell is Valenzuela's "coach" despite coming into baseball 4 years after him.

RBI Baseball Cards

Kevin Mitchell 1988 Mothers Cookies

Pics

Kevin Mitchell, playing for the Seattle Mariners

Mitchell is "credited" to contributing to the bad attitude of Ken Griffey Jr. in Seattle

Mitchell scored the game-tying run for the Mets in Game 6 of the 1986 World Series

Mitchell briefly played for the Reds in 1997