Carney Lansford was a professional baseball player who played for 15 seasons in the Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on February 7, 1957, in San Jose, California, and grew up playing baseball in the Bay Area. Lansford was a versatile player who played third base, first base, and outfield positions during his career.
Lansford began his professional career in 1975 when he was drafted by the California Angels in the third round of the MLB draft. He made his debut in the MLB in 1978 with the Angels and played for them until 1980. In 1981, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox, where he played for two seasons. In 1983, he was traded to the Oakland Athletics, where he played for the next eight seasons. Lansford was a key player for the Athletics during their successful run in the late 1980s, which included three consecutive American League pennants from 1988 to 1990 and a World Series championship in 1989.
Lansford was known for his consistent hitting and solid defense. He was a three-time All-Star and won a Gold Glove award in 1988 for his defensive skills at third base. He had a career batting average of .290 and hit 151 home runs during his career. Lansford was also a skilled baserunner, stealing 224 bases during his career.
After leaving the Athletics in 1992, Lansford played one season for the San Francisco Giants before retiring from baseball. He finished his career with 1,532 hits, 874 runs scored, and 447 runs batted in.
After retiring from baseball, Lansford became a hitting coach for several MLB teams, including the Colorado Rockies, San Diego Padres, and Boston Red Sox. He also worked as a broadcaster for the Oakland Athletics and as a minor league hitting instructor for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
In conclusion, Carney Lansford was a versatile and consistent player who had a successful career in the MLB. He was a key player for the Oakland Athletics during their successful run in the late 1980s and won several awards for his hitting and defensive skills. After retiring from baseball, he continued to work in the sport as a coach and instructor.
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