Franklin Stubbs is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues for over a decade. He was born on October 21, 1960, in Laurinburg, North Carolina, and attended Virginia Tech University, where he played college baseball.
Stubbs was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the 1982 MLB draft and made his Major League debut in 1984. He played primarily as a first baseman and outfielder and was known for his power hitting. In his rookie season, he hit 23 home runs and had 71 RBIs, helping the Dodgers win the National League West division.
Over the course of his career, Stubbs played for several teams, including the Dodgers, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, and Detroit Tigers. He had his best season in 1988 with the Dodgers, hitting 23 home runs and driving in 71 runs while batting .250. He also played in the 1988 World Series, where the Dodgers defeated the Oakland Athletics in five games.
Despite his power hitting, Stubbs struggled with consistency throughout his career. He often had high strikeout rates and low batting averages, which limited his playing time. He also struggled defensively, committing errors at first base and in the outfield.
After playing in the Major Leagues for 12 seasons, Stubbs retired in 1995 with a career batting average of .232, 104 home runs, and 382 RBIs. He later worked as a hitting coach for several minor league teams and served as a scout for the Arizona Diamondbacks.
Overall, Franklin Stubbs had a solid career in the Major Leagues, known for his power hitting and contributions to the Dodgers' success in the 1980s. While he struggled with consistency and defensive issues, he remained a respected player and coach in the baseball community.
⚾