Willie Upshaw

Willie Clay Upshaw (born April 27, 1957 in Blanco, Texas) is a retired Major League Baseball player who played first base for the Toronto Blue Jays (1978, 1980–1987) and Cleveland Indians (1988), both of the American League.

Following his Major League career, he played two seasons in Japan for the Fukuoka Daiei Hawks (1989–1990).

He is currently field manager of the independent minor league Bridgeport Bluefish.^[1]

Bio

Upshaw was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 5th round of the 1975 Major League Baseball draft.

Following the 1977 season, he was selected by the expansion Toronto Blue Jays in the Rule 5 draft, and in 1982, became the Blue Jays' regular first-baseman, leading the team in home runs with 21, RBI with 75, and extra base hits.

In 1983 he became the first Blue Jays' player to reach the 100 RBI plateau in a season, driving in 104 runs while batting .306.^[2]

Prior to the 1988 season, Upshaw's contract was purchased by the Cleveland Indians, and was at the time of his retirement Major League Baseball's career leader in home runs (123) and RBIs (528) for players whose surname begins with the letter U.

From 2006 to 2007 he served as the first base coach for the San Francisco Giants. When Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's career home run record, Upshaw was the first to congratulate him with a high-five as Bonds circled the bases.

He is the cousin of the late NFL Hall of Famer Gene Upshaw and former NFL player Marvin Upshaw.

In May 2007 his son, Chad Upshaw, signed a three-year contract with the Carolina Panthers as a Tight End after going undrafted following his graduation from Buffalo.

He is currently the manager for the independent Bridgeport Bluefish, having served as their bench coach as well as the team's first manager in the late 1990s, and currently resides in Fairfield, Connecticut.

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)