Chris Speier is a former Major League Baseball player who played for 19 seasons as a shortstop and second baseman. He was born on June 28, 1950, in Alameda, California, and grew up in San Mateo. Speier was a standout athlete in high school and was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 1970 MLB draft.
Speier made his MLB debut in 1971 and quickly established himself as a reliable defensive player. He won his first Gold Glove award in 1972 and was named to the National League All-Star team in 1973. Speier played for the Giants until 1977, when he was traded to the Montreal Expos.
Speier spent four seasons with the Expos and was named to the All-Star team in 1979. He was traded to the San Francisco Giants in 1981 and played for them until 1984. Speier then played for the Chicago Cubs from 1985 to 1987 and the San Francisco Giants again in 1987.
In 1988, Speier signed with the St. Louis Cardinals and played for them until 1990. He then played for the Minnesota Twins in 1991 and the Oakland Athletics in 1992. Speier returned to the Giants in 1993 and played for them until his retirement in 1989.
Throughout his career, Speier was known for his strong defensive skills and his ability to play multiple positions. He played primarily at shortstop and second base but also played third base and outfield. Speier was also a solid hitter, finishing his career with a .246 batting average, 1,449 hits, 112 home runs, and 720 RBIs.
After retiring as a player, Speier became a coach and manager in the minor leagues. He also served as a coach for several MLB teams, including the Giants, Cubs, and Washington Nationals. In 2014, Speier was named the bench coach for the Nationals and served in that role until 2017.
Overall, Chris Speier had a long and successful career in Major League Baseball. He was a reliable defensive player and a solid hitter who played for several teams over 19 seasons. Speier's versatility and leadership skills also made him a valuable asset to his teams both on and off the field.
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