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{{short description|American baseball player (born 1960)}}

'''Andrew James Van Slyke''' (born [[December 21]], [[1960]] in [[Utica, New York]]) is a retired [[United States|American]] [[Major League Baseball]] [[outfielder]], and the current [[coach (baseball)|first base coach]] for the [[Detroit Tigers]].

{{Use mdy dates|date=June 2025}}

{{BLP sources|date=June 2010}}

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Andy Van Slyke

|image=Andy Van Slyke Mariners coach July 2014 MMP.jpg

|caption=Van Slyke as coach with the Seattle Mariners in 2014

|position=[[Center fielder]]

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1960|12|21}}

|birth_place=[[Utica, New York]], U.S.

|bats=Left

|throws=Right

|debutleague=MLB

|debutdate=June 17

|debutyear=1983

|debutteam=St. Louis Cardinals

|finalleague=MLB

|finaldate=October 1

|finalyear=1995

|finalteam=Philadelphia Phillies

|statleague=MLB

|stat1label=[[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]

|stat1value=.274

|stat2label=[[Home run]]s

|stat2value=164

|stat3label=[[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]

|stat3value=792

|teams=

'''As player'''

* [[St. Louis Cardinals]] ({{mlby|1983}}–{{mlby|1986}})

* [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] ({{mlby|1987}}–{{mlby|1994}})

* [[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{mlby|1995}})

* [[Philadelphia Phillies]] ({{mlby|1995}})

'''As coach'''

* [[Detroit Tigers]] ({{mlby|2006}}–{{mlby|2009}})

* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|2014}}–{{mlby|2015}})

|highlights=

* 3× [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[1988 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1988]], [[1992 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1992]], [[1993 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|1993]])

* 5× [[Gold Glove Award]] (1988–1992)

* 2× [[Silver Slugger Award]] (1988, 1992)

}}

'''Andrew James Van Slyke''' (born December 21, 1960) is an American former [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) [[center fielder]] and coach.

==CareerEarly life==

Van Slyke earned All-American honors in baseball as a senior at New Hartford Central High school in [[New Hartford (town), New York|New Hartford, New York]].

Van Slyke was drafted in the first round (sixth overall pick) of the 1979 [[Major League Baseball]] amateur draft by the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]. Called up from the AAA [[Louisville Redbirds]], he made his Major League debut with the Cardinals on June 17, 1983.

==Professional career==

He began his career the first two years by playing first base, third base, and all three outfield positions. He mostly played [[right field]] the next two years, occasionally platooning with [[Tito Landrum]] or substituting for [[Willie McGee]] in [[center field|center]]. During spring training of [[1987]], he was traded to the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] along with left-handed hitting catcher [[Mike LaValliere]] and minor league pitcher [[Mike Dunne]] for catcher [[Tony Pena]]. In Pittsburgh, he mostly played [[center field]] alongside stars [[Barry Bonds]] and [[Bobby Bonilla]].

===Draft and minor leagues===

He was drafted in the first round (sixth overall pick) of the 1979 Major League Baseball amateur draft by the [[St. Louis Cardinals]].

===St. Louis Cardinals (1983–1986)===

Overall, Van Slyke played for four different teams in his career: the [[St. Louis Cardinals]] (1983-1986), [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] (1986-1994), [[Baltimore Orioles]] (1995), and [[Philadelphia Phillies]] (1995). He played his final game on October 1, 1995.

Called up from the AAA [[Louisville Redbirds]], he made his Major League debut with the Cardinals on June 17, 1983, collecting a [[double (baseball)|double]], a [[run batted in]] (RBI) and making three [[putout]]s in the outfield without an [[error (baseball)|error]].<ref name="LeBar">{{cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3DAqAAAAIBAJ&pg=6847,3633914&dq=baseball+andy-van-slyke&hl=en |title=Van Slyke gets chance |last=LeBar |first=Paul |date=June 19, 1983 |work=[[Park City Daily News]] |page=14A |access-date=June 8, 2010}}</ref>

The first two years of his career Van Slyke played [[first base]], [[third base]] and all three [[outfield]] positions. He mostly played [[right field]] the next two years on the strength of his throwing arm, occasionally [[Platoon system|platooning]] with [[Tito Landrum]], sometimes substituting for [[Willie McGee]] in [[Baseball field#outfield|center field]]. Van Slyke was the Cardinals' right fielder during the [[1985 World Series]]; in Game 6 he fielded [[Dane Iorg]]'s ninth-inning game winning two-run base hit and his true and accurate throw was barely beaten by [[Jim Sundberg]] for the winning run. On September 21, 1986, he hit a rare [[inside-the-park home run]].<ref>{{cite book |editor=Jim Tommey and Kip Ingle |year=1987 |title=St. Louis Cardinals 1987 Media Guide |publisher=St. Louis National Baseball Club |pages=116}}</ref>

In his 13-year career, Van Slyke appeared in three All-Star games (1988, 1992, 1993), won five [[Gold Gloves]] Awards, two [[Silver Slugger]] Awards, and ranked in the top 10 in many offensive categories in varying seasons.

===Pittsburgh Pirates (1987–1994)===

Prior to the [[2006]] season, Van Slyke was named first base coach for the [[Detroit Tigers]] by manager [[Jim Leyland]], under whom he had played in Pittsburgh.

During spring training 1987, he was traded to the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]] along with left-handed hitting catcher [[Mike LaValliere]] and minor league pitcher [[Mike Dunne (baseball)|Mike Dunne]] for catcher [[Tony Peña]]. The trade occurred on April 1, with Van Slyke initially believing that it was an [[April Fools' Day]] joke.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0uIjAAAAIBAJ&pg=1078,809314&dq=andy+van+slyke+april+fools+joke&hl=en |title=Bucs ship Pena to Cardinals for Van Slyke }}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> In Pittsburgh, he mostly played center field alongside stars [[Barry Bonds]] and [[Bobby Bonilla]].

During the 1991 [[Gulf War]], when MLB decreed all players would wear both the Canadian and U.S. flags on their batting helmets as a patriotic gesture, Van Slyke scraped the Maple Leaf off his helmet, stating "I guess the people in [[Quebec]] won't be upset because the last time we were there they booed [the Canadian] National Anthem". [[Commissioner of Baseball|MLB Commissioner]] [[Fay Vincent]] ordered that the Canadian flag decal be reinserted onto the helmet.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=2KRIAAAAIBAJ&pg=1312,2129810&dq=canadian+helmet+andy-van-slyke&hl=en |work=Meriden Record-Journal |title=Van Slyke vs. Canadian decal}}</ref>

==Trivia==

*According to statistics found on Baseball Reference.com, in [[1985]], he was one of five [[St. Louis Cardinals|Cardinals]] to steal at least 30 bases.

===Playing career===

Van Slyke possessed one of the most accurate and powerful throwing arms in the majors, so much that the "Slyke Zone" was established at [[Three Rivers Stadium]]. From 1985 to 1994, he was frequently among the league leaders in outfield [[assist (baseball)|assists]]. From 1985 to 1988, he posted seasons of 13, 10, 11, and 12 assists, respectively. As center fielder for the Pirates, he won five consecutive [[Gold Gloves]] from 1988 to 1992. In 1988, Van Slyke set career highs with 25 home runs and 100 RBIs, led the majors with 15 triples and 13 sacrifice flies, and finished fourth in [[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|National League MVP]] voting. In 1992, Van Slyke led the National League in hits with 199 and doubles with 45 while finishing second with a .324 batting average.

Van Slyke played for four teams in his career: the St. Louis Cardinals (1983–1986), Pittsburgh Pirates (1987–1994), [[Baltimore Orioles]] (1995), and [[Philadelphia Phillies]] (1995). He played his final game on October 1, 1995. In his 13-year career, Van Slyke appeared in three All-Star games (1988, 1992, 1993), won five [[Gold Glove Award]]s, two [[Silver Slugger Award]]s, and ranked in the top 10 in many offensive categories in varying seasons.

In 1658 games over 13 seasons, Van Slyke compiled a .274 [[batting average (baseball)|batting average]] (1562-for-5711) with 835 [[run (baseball)|runs]], 293 [[double (baseball)|doubles]], 91 [[triple (baseball)|triples]], 164 [[home runs]], 792 [[Run batted in|RBI]], 245 [[stolen bases]], 667 [[Base on balls|walks]], 1063 [[strikeouts]], an [[on-base percentage]] of .349 and a [[slugging percentage]] of .443. He recorded a .987 [[fielding percentage]] at all three outfield positions, first base and third base.<ref name="Andy Van Slyke player page">{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vanslan01.shtml|title=Andy Van Slyke Statistics and History|work=Baseball Reference.com| accessdate=April 7, 2021}}</ref>

===Coaching career===

[[File:Andy Van Slyke.jpg|thumb|right|upright|Van Slyke with Detroit]]

Prior to the 2006 season, Van Slyke was named first base coach for the [[Detroit Tigers]] by manager [[Jim Leyland]], under whom he had played in Pittsburgh. Van Slyke served in that capacity on Leyland's staff for four years through the [[2009 Detroit Tigers season|2009 season]].

When [[Lloyd McClendon]] was named the [[Seattle Mariners]]' manager prior to the [[2014 Detroit Tigers season|2014 season]], Van Slyke was hired to be the team's first base coach. He also worked as the assistant hitting coach and outfield instructor through the 2015 season.

===Transactions===

* June 5, 1979: Drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round (6th pick) of the [[1979 Major League Baseball draft|1979 amateur draft]].

* April 1, 1987: Traded by the St. Louis Cardinals with [[Mike Dunne (baseball)|Mike Dunne]] and [[Mike LaValliere]] to the Pittsburgh Pirates for [[Tony Peña]].

* October 21, 1994: Granted [[free agency (sports)|free agency]].

* April 21, 1995: Signed as a free agent with the Baltimore Orioles.

* June 18, 1995: Traded by the Baltimore Orioles to the Philadelphia Phillies for [[Gene Harris (baseball)|Gene Harris]].

* November 3, 1995: Granted free agency.<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vanslan01.shtml Van Slyke at Baseball-Reference]</ref>

===Salaries===

{{div col}}

* [[1983 St. Louis Cardinals season|1983]]: St. Louis Cardinals: $35,000

* [[1984 St. Louis Cardinals season|1984]]: St. Louis Cardinals: $40,000

* [[1985 St. Louis Cardinals season|1985]]: St. Louis Cardinals: $170,000

* [[1986 St. Louis Cardinals season|1986]]: St. Louis Cardinals: $335,000

* [[1987 Pittsburgh Pirates season|1987]]: Pittsburgh Pirates: $550,000

* [[1988 Pittsburgh Pirates season|1988]] <small>[[1988 MLB All-Star Game|#]]</small>: Pittsburgh Pirates: $825,000

* [[1989 Pittsburgh Pirates season|1989]]: Pittsburgh Pirates: $2,150,000

* [[1990 Pittsburgh Pirates season|1990]]: Pittsburgh Pirates: $1,200,000

* [[1991 Pittsburgh Pirates season|1991]]: Pittsburgh Pirates: $2,180,000

* [[1992 Pittsburgh Pirates season|1992]] <small>[[1992 MLB All-Star Game|#]]</small>: Pittsburgh Pirates: $4,350,000 (Including $100,000 earned bonus)

* [[1993 Pittsburgh Pirates season|1993]] <small>[[1993 MLB All-Star Game|#]]</small>: Pittsburgh Pirates: $4,900,000 (Including $250K signing bonus and $50K earned bonus)

* [[1994 Pittsburgh Pirates season|1994]]: Pittsburgh Pirates: $3,550,000 (Including $250K signing bonus)

* [[1995 Baltimore Orioles season|1995]]: Baltimore Orioles: $600,000 (including $50,000 earned bonus)

* [[1995 Philadelphia Phillies season|1995]]: Philadelphia Phillies: Undetermined

{{div col end}}

<small>#</small> = [[MLB All-Star Game]] selection

===Hall of Fame candidacy===

Van Slyke became eligible for the [[National Baseball Hall of Fame]] in [[Baseball Hall of Fame balloting, 2001|2001]]. 75% of the vote was necessary for induction, and 5% was necessary to stay on the ballot. Of the 32 total candidates,<ref>[http://baseballhall.org/hall-famers/bbwaa-voting/year?year=2001 2001 HoF election] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110810213429/http://baseballhall.org/hall-famers/bbwaa-voting/year?year=2001 |date=August 10, 2011 }}</ref> Van Slyke received no votes and was eliminated from future [[Baseball Writers' Association of America|BBWAA]] voting.<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hof_2001.shtml 2001 MLB Hall of Fame voting]</ref> He still remains eligible for the Hall of Fame via the [[Veterans Committee]].

==Career after baseball==

After baseball, Van Slyke pursued a career as an author, focusing on books centered on baseball. In 2009, he authored ''Tiger Confidential: The Untold Inside Story of the 2008 Season'' (with co-author Jim Hawkins). In July 2010, he published ''[[The Curse: Cubs Win! Cubs Win! Or Do They?]]'' (with co-author [[Rob Rains]]), a book in the subgenre sports fiction about the [[Chicago Cubs]] finally breaking their one hundred year curse and playing in the World Series.

==Personal life==

Van Slyke has four sons, three of whom played college or professional sports. [[Scott Van Slyke]] played for the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] and the [[Doosan Bears]] of the [[KBO League|KBO league]];<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/v/vanslsc01.shtml Baseball Reference: Scott Van Slyke]</ref> Jared Van Slyke was a defensive back on the [[Michigan Wolverines football|University of Michigan]] football team;<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/vanslyke_jared00.html |title=Jared Van Slyke at Michigan |access-date=June 13, 2011 |archive-date=June 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622214240/http://www.mgoblue.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/vanslyke_jared00.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> and A. J. Van Slyke played baseball for the [[University of Kansas]] and for four seasons in the St. Louis Cardinals' minor league system.<ref>[https://www.baseball-reference.com/minors/player.cgi?id=vansly001a-- Baseball Reference: A.J. Van Slyke]</ref>

He attended New Hartford Central High School in New Hartford, New York, Class of 1979. His father was the school's principal.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Neff Rof |first1=Amy |title=Former New Hartford town justice, high school principal dies at age 88 |url=https://www.uticaod.com/story/news/2018/06/08/van-slyke-remembered-as-knowledgeable/12027630007/ |access-date=January 25, 2025 |work=Utica Observer-Dispatch |date=June 8, 2018 |___location=Utica, New York}}</ref>

==See also==

{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}

* [[List of Major League Baseball annual doubles leaders]]

* [[List of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders]]

* [[List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders]]

* [[List of second-generation Major League Baseball players]]

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==External links==

{{baseballstats|mlb=123653|espn=1368|br=v/vanslan01|fangraphs=1013363|brm=vansly001and|retro=V/Pvansa001}}

* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/v/vanslan01.shtml Baseball-Reference.com] - career statistics and analysis

*[http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/coach_staff_bio.jsp?c_id=det&coachorstaffid=123653 Official Detroit Tigers Coaching Profile]{{dead link|date=January 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}

{{s-start}}

{{succession box|title=[[Detroit Tigers]] [[coach (baseball)|first base coach]]|years=2006–2009|before=[[Mick Kelleher]]|after=[[Tom Brookens]]}}

{{succession box|title=[[Seattle Mariners]] [[coach (baseball)|first base coach]]|years=2014–2015|before=[[Mike Brumley (infielder)|Mike Brumley]]|after=[[Chris Woodward]]}}

{{s-end}}

{{1979 MLB Draft}}

{{St. Louis Cardinals first-round draft picks}}

{{NL OF Silver Slugger Award}}

{{NL OF Gold Glove Award}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:1960 births|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:Living people|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:Major league players from New York|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:St. Louis Cardinals players|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:Pittsburgh Pirates players|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:Baltimore Orioles players|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:Philadelphia Phillies players|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:Major league outfielders|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:Gold Glove Award winners|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:People from Utica, New York|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:1988 National League All-Stars|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:1992 National League All-Stars|Van Slyke, Andy]]

[[Category:1993 National League All-Stars|Van Slyke, Andy]]

{{DEFAULTSORT:Van Slyke, Andy}}

{{baseball-outfielder-stub}}

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