Cecil Fielder Biography

Cecil Grant Fielder, born on September 21, 1963, is an American former professional baseball player who played as a designated hitter and first baseman in Major League Baseball. Fielder established himself as a prominent power hitter during the 1980s and 1990s. He was a member of the New York Yankees team that defeated the Atlanta Braves in the 1996 World Series. Fielder was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 31st round of the 1981 MLB draft, though he did not sign with the team. After the 1988 season, he joined the Hanshin Tigers in Japan's Central League, receiving a contract that included a chauffeur and a full-time interpreter. In 1989, he recorded a .302 batting average, hit 38 home runs, and drove in 81 runs while playing for Hanshin. That season marked the first time since 1949 that a player hit 50 home runs on a team with a losing record, as Hanshin finished with 79 wins.