Oddibe McDowell was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues for several years. He was born on August 25, 1962, in Hollywood, Florida, and attended the University of Arizona, where he played college baseball.
McDowell was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the first round of the 1984 MLB draft and made his Major League debut the following year. He quickly became known for his speed and defensive skills, earning a reputation as one of the best center fielders in the game.
In his rookie season, McDowell hit .257 with 18 home runs and 74 RBIs, earning him a spot on the American League All-Star team. He also stole 25 bases and won a Gold Glove award for his defensive play.
Over the next few years, McDowell continued to be a solid contributor for the Rangers, hitting for average and stealing bases while playing excellent defense. He had his best season in 1988, when he hit .256 with 26 home runs, 34 stolen bases, and 88 RBIs.
After spending several years with the Rangers, McDowell was traded to the Cleveland Indians in 1991. He played one season with the Indians before being traded again, this time to the Atlanta Braves.
McDowell played two seasons with the Braves, serving primarily as a backup outfielder and pinch hitter. He hit .231 with 5 home runs and 23 RBIs in 1993, and .250 with 2 home runs and 12 RBIs in 1994.
After the 1994 season, McDowell became a free agent and signed with the Florida Marlins. He played in just 11 games for the Marlins before being released in May of 1995.
McDowell finished his Major League career with a .254 batting average, 70 home runs, 363 RBIs, and 168 stolen bases. He was known for his speed and defensive prowess, winning two Gold Glove awards during his career.
After retiring from baseball, McDowell worked as a coach and scout for several teams, including the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also served as the head baseball coach at Northwood University in Texas.
Overall, Oddibe McDowell had a solid career in the Major Leagues, earning a reputation as one of the best defensive outfielders of his era. While he never became a superstar, he was a consistent contributor for several teams and left a lasting impact on the game of baseball.
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