On June 17th, 1983 Andy Van Slyke played in his first Major League game.

In his 13-year career, Andy Van Slyke played for the Cardinals, the Pirates, the Orioles, and the Phillies. For 8 of those seasons of course, he was the standout Centerfielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates, where he won 5 Gold Gloves.

Van Slyke had enough speed to lead the League with 15 Triples in 1988 and to lead the League in Hits and Doubles in 1992. He was also a good-enough situational-hitter to lead the league in Sacrifice Flies in 1988.

Van Slyke played in the 1985 World Series for the St. Louis Cardinals and in the 1990, 1991, and 1992 NCLS for the Pirates. As a post-season batter, he struggled, batting a combined 190BA in 31 games. He did hit a home run in the 1991 NCLS against Atlanta and got a couple of triples in other series.

Van Slyke as a defensive player was fun to watch. Great Centerfielders always are. My local nine, the Minnesota Twins, have been lucky enough to have had a series of great defensive Centerfielders over the years (Kirby Puckett, Torii Hunter, Denard Span, and now Byron Buxton). Inevitably being fan favorites, you see a lot of Puckett, Hunter, Span, and Buxton jerseys when you go games at Target Field.

Last year when we were in Pittsburgh to watch the Pirates we saw a lot of Van Slyke jerseys. I was glad that he was remembered by so many so fondly. He certainly should be. He was that good.