Kevin Mitchell Biography

Kevin Darnell Mitchell, born January 13, 1962, played professional baseball in MLB and Nippon Professional Baseball from 1984 to 1998. He earned the National League Most Valuable Player Award and Silver Slugger Award in 1989 after leading the league in home runs and RBI. Mitchell did not play high school baseball before beginning his professional career. Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter gave him the nickname "World" due to his versatility across the infield and outfield. After a 1985 minor league season, he returned to the Mets in 1986, batting .277 with 12 home runs and 43 RBI in 108 games. He played for the Padres in the first half of 1987, batting .245 with seven home runs and 26 RBI in 62 games. In 1988, Mitchell hit .251 with 19 home runs and 80 RBI in 148 games.