Al Newman is a happy Twin in this pic which is one of the better ones so far thanks to the contrast between his dark top and the bright red background. The pic also shows why he was and still remains a popular Twin thanks to his lively personality and happy demeanor.
What can you say about The Al Newman? A switch-hitting infielder who was drafted by the Montreal Expos and traded to the Twins before their first World Series winning season-as the Twins-in 1987. In 1982 he broke Tim Raines' AA record when he stole 63 base with Memphis. He was described in the February 26, 1983 article in the Montreal Gazette as a 'gilt edged prospect.' While he came up an Expo in 1985 he had been traded to the Padres in December of 1983 in part of a three-way deal that sent Scott Sanderson to the Cubs andGary Lucas to the Expos. In July he went back the other way to the Expos for Greg Harris.
After hitting .196 over two years with the Expos he was sent to Minnesota for Mike Shade. Five years with the Twins saw him win two rings and hit for a .231 average. After the 91 season he was signed by the Reds but released and later joined the Rangers and his career came to an end with his remaining unsigned as a free agent after the 92 season.
Newman was about to have his best defensive season racking up a dWAR of 1.9 and for his career had a 4.8. He also had his best overall numbers with a 1.3 that year.
While serving as third-base coach for the Twins in 2003 he collapsed on the field and was taken to the hospital where tests showed he suffered a brain hemorrhage and was in a coma for more than two weeks. Upon his recovery he returned to the Twins and also served in other organizations and today is living in Minnesota where he is still active in the community.
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