Juan Samuel is a former Major League Baseball player who played primarily as a second baseman and outfielder. He was born on December 9, 1960, in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic. Samuel began his professional baseball career in 1980 when he signed with the Philadelphia Phillies as an amateur free agent.
Samuel made his Major League debut with the Phillies in 1983 and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting players in the league. He was known for his speed on the basepaths and his ability to hit for power. In his rookie season, Samuel hit .272 with 15 home runs and 72 RBIs. He also stole 23 bases and scored 89 runs.
Over the next few seasons, Samuel continued to be a productive player for the Phillies. He hit over .280 in each of his first four seasons and stole at least 30 bases in each of his first five seasons. In 1987, Samuel had his best season as a professional. He hit .287 with 28 home runs, 100 RBIs, and 35 stolen bases. He also led the league in triples with 15.
After the 1989 season, Samuel was traded to the New York Mets in exchange for Lenny Dykstra and Roger McDowell. He played two seasons with the Mets before being traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1992. Samuel played one season with the Dodgers before being traded to the Kansas City Royals in 1993.
Samuel played for several teams over the next few years, including the Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, and Toronto Blue Jays. He was primarily used as a utility player during this time, playing both infield and outfield positions. In 1998, Samuel signed with the Atlanta Braves and played in his only World Series that year, although the Braves lost to the New York Yankees.
Samuel retired from baseball after the 1998 season but returned to the game as a coach and manager. He served as a coach for several teams, including the Detroit Tigers, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies. In 2011, Samuel was named the manager of the Single-A Aberdeen IronBirds, a minor league affiliate of the Orioles.
Throughout his career, Samuel was known for his versatility and athleticism. He played multiple positions and was a threat on the basepaths. He finished his career with a .259 batting average, 161 home runs, 703 RBIs, and 396 stolen bases. He was also a three-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger award in 1987.
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