University of Minnesota Athletics
Black History Month: Dave Winfield
2/9/2021 7:11:00 AM | Baseball, Men's Basketball, M Club
Going from Oxford playground in St. Paul to the capital city's Central High School to the University of Minnesota, Dave Winfield is one of the all-time finest athletes from the Gopher State. Winfield excelled at baseball and basketball at the U of M before a prolific pro career that culminated with a 2001 induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.
During his time on campus, Winfield attained both team and individual success. In 1972, he helped the Gopher basketball team win a Big Ten title. The following year, he was named Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series. Winfield struck out 29 batters in 17.1 innings, pitched a complete-game shutout, and hit 7-for-15 at the CWS. He was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten selection for baseball. He was part of the College Baseball Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 2006, becoming the first Black player to be inducted.
Winfield went on to be drafted in three sports despite never playing football for the Gophers. He is the only athlete to be drafted by MLB, NBA, ABA, and NFL teams. Winfield elected to stay with baseball and signed with the San Diego Padres. In a rare event, Winfield skipped over the minor leagues straight to the majors, one of only 21 players to do so in MLB's draft era.
Winfield made 12 All-Star Game appearances as an outfielder. He won seven Gold Gloves and six Silver Slugger Awards. Winfield tallied seven 100-RBI seasons and four times batted over .300. He won a World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992, and celebrated his 3,000th career hit with the hometown Twins in 1993. He finished his career with 465 home runs. Winfield also played for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Indians, and entered the Hall of Fame as a Padre.
Amid all his accomplishments, Winfield never forgot his roots. Early in his MLB career he started a scholarship program in St. Paul. Soon after, he officially began the David M. Winfield Foundation, which has been involved in numerous causes including health fairs and substance abuse prevention. He was the 1994 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award for baseball, sportsmanship, and community involvement.
Since his retirement, Winfield has remained involved in baseball, including in front office roles. He has also played a part in MLB's recognition of Black baseball history. In 2008, the league followed through on Winfield's idea to hold an honorary draft of surviving Negro League players who had been excluded from the major leagues.
Written by Justine Buerkle
Special Contributor to gophersports.com
During his time on campus, Winfield attained both team and individual success. In 1972, he helped the Gopher basketball team win a Big Ten title. The following year, he was named Most Outstanding Player at the College World Series. Winfield struck out 29 batters in 17.1 innings, pitched a complete-game shutout, and hit 7-for-15 at the CWS. He was a two-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten selection for baseball. He was part of the College Baseball Hall of Fame's inaugural class in 2006, becoming the first Black player to be inducted.
Winfield went on to be drafted in three sports despite never playing football for the Gophers. He is the only athlete to be drafted by MLB, NBA, ABA, and NFL teams. Winfield elected to stay with baseball and signed with the San Diego Padres. In a rare event, Winfield skipped over the minor leagues straight to the majors, one of only 21 players to do so in MLB's draft era.
Winfield made 12 All-Star Game appearances as an outfielder. He won seven Gold Gloves and six Silver Slugger Awards. Winfield tallied seven 100-RBI seasons and four times batted over .300. He won a World Series with the Toronto Blue Jays in 1992, and celebrated his 3,000th career hit with the hometown Twins in 1993. He finished his career with 465 home runs. Winfield also played for the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Angels, and Cleveland Indians, and entered the Hall of Fame as a Padre.
Amid all his accomplishments, Winfield never forgot his roots. Early in his MLB career he started a scholarship program in St. Paul. Soon after, he officially began the David M. Winfield Foundation, which has been involved in numerous causes including health fairs and substance abuse prevention. He was the 1994 recipient of the Roberto Clemente Award for baseball, sportsmanship, and community involvement.
Since his retirement, Winfield has remained involved in baseball, including in front office roles. He has also played a part in MLB's recognition of Black baseball history. In 2008, the league followed through on Winfield's idea to hold an honorary draft of surviving Negro League players who had been excluded from the major leagues.
Written by Justine Buerkle
Special Contributor to gophersports.com
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