Don Slaught was a professional baseball player who played as a catcher for various teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He was born on September 11, 1958, in Long Beach, California, and grew up in Southern California. Slaught attended the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), where he played college baseball for the Bruins.
Slaught was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the seventh round of the 1980 MLB draft. He made his MLB debut with the Royals in 1982 and played for them until 1987. During his time with the Royals, Slaught was known for his strong arm and defensive skills as a catcher. He also had a solid batting average, hitting .283 in 1985 and .305 in 1986.
In 1988, Slaught was traded to the Texas Rangers, where he played for three seasons. He continued to be a reliable catcher for the Rangers, hitting .305 in 1989 and .300 in 1990. Slaught was also known for his work ethic and leadership qualities, serving as a mentor to younger players on the team.
After his time with the Rangers, Slaught played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels, and New York Yankees. He played his final MLB season with the San Diego Padres in 1997. Throughout his career, Slaught was known for his consistency and durability, playing in over 100 games in 10 different seasons.
In addition to his playing career, Slaught also worked as a coach and instructor after retiring from baseball. He founded the Slaught Training and Development Academy in Kansas City, which provides baseball instruction and training to young players. Slaught also worked as a hitting coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Kansas City Royals.
Overall, Don Slaught had a successful career as a catcher in the MLB. He was known for his strong defensive skills, consistent hitting, and leadership qualities. After retiring from baseball, Slaught continued to contribute to the sport as a coach and instructor, helping to develop the next generation of baseball players.
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