Hubbry Logo
Dave WinfieldDave WinfieldMain
Open search
Dave Winfield
Community hub
Dave Winfield
logo
8 pages, 0 posts
0 subscribers
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Be the first to start a discussion here.
Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield
Dave Winfield
View on Wikipedia
from Wikipedia

David Mark Winfield (born October 3, 1951) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) right fielder. He is the special assistant to the executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association.[1] Over his 22-year career, he played for six teams: the San Diego Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Toronto Blue Jays, Minnesota Twins, and Cleveland Indians. He had the winning hit in the 1992 World Series with the Blue Jays over the Atlanta Braves.

Key Information

Winfield is a 12-time MLB All-Star, a seven-time Gold Glove Award winner, and a six-time Silver Slugger Award winner. The Padres retired Winfield's No. 31 in his honor. He also wore No. 31 while playing for the Yankees and Indians and wore No. 32 with the Angels, Blue Jays and Twins. In 2004, ESPN named him the third-best all-around athlete of all time in any sport.[2] He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001 in his first year of eligibility, and was an inaugural inductee into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.

Early life

[edit]

David Mark Winfield was born on October 3, 1951, in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and grew up in the city's Rondo neighborhood.[3][4] His parents divorced when he was three years old, leaving him and his older brother Stephen to be raised by their mother, Arline, and a large extended family of aunts, uncles, grandparents, and cousins.[5] The Winfield brothers honed their athletic skills in Saint Paul's Oxford Field, where coach Bill Peterson was one of the first to notice Winfield. Winfield did not reach his full height of 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) until his senior year at Saint Paul Central High School.[5]

College career

[edit]

Winfield earned a full baseball scholarship to the University of Minnesota in 1969, where he starred in baseball and basketball for the Minnesota Golden Gophers. Winfield's 1971–72 Minnesota team won a Big Ten Conference basketball championship, the school's first outright championship in 53 years. During the 1972–73 basketball season, he was involved in a brawl when Ohio State played at Minnesota.[6][7] Winfield also played college summer baseball for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks for two seasons (1971–72) and was the MVP in 1972. In 1973, he was named All-American and voted MVP of the College World Series—as a pitcher.

Following college, Winfield was drafted by four teams in three different sports. The San Diego Padres selected him as a pitcher with the fourth overall pick in the MLB draft. Winfield was also drafted by the Atlanta Hawks in the 5th round of the 1973 NBA draft and by the Utah Stars in the 6th round of the 1973 ABA Draft.[8][9] Though he never played college football, the Minnesota Vikings selected Winfield in the 17th round of the 1973 NFL draft. He is one of five players ever to be drafted by three professional sports (the others being George Carter, Noel Jenke, Mickey McCarty and Dave Logan) and one of three athletes, along with Carter and McCarty, to be drafted by four leagues.[10]

Professional career

[edit]

Draft and San Diego Padres (1973–1980)

[edit]
Winfield with the San Diego Padres, c. 1977

Winfield chose baseball; the San Diego Padres selected him in the first round, with the fourth overall selection, of the 1973 MLB draft. Winfield signed with the Padres, who promoted him directly to the major leagues. Although he was a pitcher, the Padres wanted his powerful bat in the lineup and put him in right field, where he could still use his powerful arm. He batted .277 in 56 games for his first season.

The next three seasons saw gradual improvement: he had his first 20-HR season in 1974 while batting .265 in 145 games that had him play mostly in left field. The following year saw him shifted to right field, where he would play most of the next six seasons. By the time of his fourth season being over, his best average in the majors was .283 (1976). Over the next several years, he developed into an All-Star player in San Diego, gradually increasing his ability to hit for both power and average. In 1977, he had his first All-Star season, doing so while batting .275 in 157 games with 25 home runs. He would be an All-Star every year until 1988. In 1978, he was named team captain. That year, he finished 10th in MVP voting and had his first .300 season with a .308 year in 158 games. He had his first 100-RBI season the following year while batting .308 with a league-leading 118 RBIs to go with 24 intentional walks; he had his first season with more walks (85) than strikeouts (71). He won a Gold Glove and finished 3rd in the MVP voting. In his final season with the Padres in 1980, he played in all 162 games for the only time and batted .276 to go with 20 home runs and a Gold Glove victory.

New York Yankees (1981–1990)

[edit]

In December 1980, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner made Winfield the game's highest-paid player by signing him to a ten-year, $23 million contract (equivalent to $87.8 million in 2024). Steinbrenner mistakenly thought he was signing Winfield for $16 million, unaware of the meaning of a cost-of-living clause in the contract,[11] a misunderstanding that led to an infamous public feud.[12] The $2.3 million annual average value of the contract set a record. He more than doubled the previous record set when Nolan Ryan signed with the Houston Astros in 1979.

Winfield was among the highest-rated players in the game throughout his Yankee contract. He was a key factor in leading the Yankees to the 1981 American League pennant. In the 1981 American League Division Series, Winfield batted .350 with two doubles and a triple and made some important defensive plays helping the Yankees to victory over the Milwaukee Brewers. Unfortunately, Winfield had a sub-par World Series, which the Yankees lost to the Los Angeles Dodgers in six games. After getting his only series hit, Winfield jokingly asked for the ball.[13] Steinbrenner did not find this humorous, and criticized Winfield at the end of the series. Many commentators have since noted that Winfield's postseason doldrums were somewhat overstated when compared to those of his teammates. Four of his seven hits came in games won by the Yankees. The team's offense for the most part was inconsistent, and they were also set back by key injuries to Reggie Jackson and Graig Nettles, who each only played three games with one combined RBI (the same as Winfield).

Winfield with the New York Yankees in 1983

Winfield did not let Steinbrenner's comments affect his play. He hit 37 home runs during the 1982 season.

On August 4, 1983, Winfield killed a seagull by throwing a ball while warming up before the fifth inning of a game at Toronto's Exhibition Stadium.[14] Fans responded by hurling obscenities and objects onto the field. After the game, he was brought to a nearby Metropolitan Toronto Police station and charged with cruelty to animals. He was released after posting a $500 bond. Yankee manager Billy Martin quipped, "It's the first time he's hit the cutoff man all season."[14] Charges were dropped the following day.[15] As Winfield missed the Yankees team bus to Hamilton that night to catch their flight home, he was driven to Hamilton personally by Blue Jays general manager Pat Gillick.[14] In the offseason, Winfield returned to Toronto and donated two paintings for an Easter Seals auction, which raised over $60,000.[5][16] For years afterward, Winfield's appearances in Toronto were greeted by fans standing and flapping their arms.

From 1981 through 1984, Winfield was the most effective run producer in MLB.[17] In 1984, he and teammate Don Mattingly were in a race for the batting title[18] in which Mattingly won out by .003 points on the last day of the season; Winfield finished with a .340 average. In the last few weeks of the race, it became obvious to most observers that the fans were partial to Mattingly.[19] Winfield took this in stride, noting that a similar thing happened in 1961 when Mantle and Maris competed for the single season home run record.[20]

In 1985, Steinbrenner derided Winfield by saying to The New York Times writer Murray Chass, "Where is Reggie Jackson? We need a Mr. October or a Mr. September. Winfield is Mr. May."[21] This criticism has become somewhat of an anachronism as many cite the statement to Steinbrenner after the 1981 World Series. Winfield was struggling while the Yankees eventually lost the division title to Toronto on the second to last day of the season.[21] The "Mr. May" sobriquet lived with Winfield until he won the 1992 World Series with Toronto.[22]

Throughout the late 1980s, Steinbrenner regularly leaked derogatory and fictitious stories about Winfield to the press.[23] He also forced Yankee managers to move him down in the batting order and bench him. Steinbrenner frequently tried to trade him, but Winfield's status as a 10-and-5 player (10 years in the majors, five years with a single team) meant he could not be traded without his consent. Winfield continued to put up excellent numbers with the Yankees, driving in 744 runs between 1982 and 1988, and was selected to play in the All-Star Game every season. Winfield won five (of his seven) Gold Glove Awards for his stellar outfield play as a Yankee.

In 1989, Winfield missed the entire season due to a back injury.[24] 1990 was the last year of his contract with the Yankees, but the troubles with Steinbrenner in his feud with Winfield continued to escalate. He had a rusty spring training before being relegated from the field to being the designated hitter. Further troubles led to being just the DH against left-handed pitchers. On May 11, manager Bucky Dent and general manager Pete Peterson met in a room with the intent of stating a trade of Winfield for Mike Witt of the California Angels. Winfield stepped in the room and stated his refusal to be traded; the argument over whether his 10-and-5 rights overrode his list of having the Angels on his trade list failed to meet at an impasse when Angels owner Gene Autry came in with a three-year extension. He proceeded to hit 19 home runs in 112 games for the Angels in the remainder of the 1990 season. As for Steinbrenner, he attempted to curry favor by stating to Winfield that he would welcome back Winfield openly if he had won the arbitration case; by this point in the month of May, he was already under investigation by commissioner Fay Vincent for his apparent connections to Howard Spira, a known gambler with supposed Mafia connections, whom he had paid $40,000 for embarrassing information on Winfield. A month later, the team received a fine that required them to pay money to the league and the Angels for tampering and Steinbrenner soon received a life-time ban.[25] However, the suspension lasted only two years.[24]

California Angels (1990–1991)

[edit]

Winfield was traded for Mike Witt during the 1990 season and won The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award.[26] He hit for the cycle in June 1991 against the Kansas City Royals, hitting 5-for-5 in the game.[27] He also recorded his 400th home run against the Twins in his hometown.[28]

Toronto Blue Jays (1992)

[edit]

Winfield was still a productive hitter after his 40th birthday. On December 19, 1991, he signed with the Toronto Blue Jays as their designated hitter, and also made "Winfieldian" plays when he periodically took his familiar position in right field. He batted .290 with 26 home runs and 108 RBI during the 1992 season.

Winfield proved to be a lightning rod for the Blue Jays, providing leadership and experience as well as his potent bat. Winfield was a fan favorite and also demanded fan participation. In August 1992, he made an impassioned plea to the reserved fans during an interview for more crowd noise. The phrase "Winfield Wants Noise" became a popular slogan for the rest of the season, appearing on T-shirts, dolls, buttons, and signs.

The Blue Jays won the pennant, giving Winfield a chance at redemption for his previous post-season futility. In Game 6 of the World Series, he became "Mr. Jay"[22] as he delivered the game-winning two-run double in the 11th inning off Atlanta's Charlie Leibrandt to win the World Series Championship for Toronto. At 41 years of age, Winfield became the third-oldest player to hit an extra base hit in the World Series, trailing only Pete Rose and Enos Slaughter.[29]

Minnesota Twins (1993–1994)

[edit]

After the 1992 season, Winfield was granted free agency and signed with his hometown Minnesota Twins. In 1993, he batted .271 with 21 home runs, appearing in 143 games for the 1993 Twins, mostly as their designated hitter. On September 16, 1993, at age 41, he collected his 3,000th career hit with a single off Oakland Athletics closer Dennis Eckersley.[30]

During the 1994 baseball strike, which began on August 12, Winfield was traded to the Cleveland Indians at the trade waiver deadline on August 31 for a player to be named later. The 1994 season had been halted two weeks earlier (it was eventually canceled a month later on September 14), so Winfield did not get to play for the Indians that year and no player was ever named in exchange. To settle the trade, Cleveland and Minnesota executives went to dinner, with the Indians picking up the tab. This makes Winfield the only player in major league history to be "traded" for a dinner (although official sources list the transaction as Winfield having been sold by the Twins to the Indians).[31]

Cleveland Indians (1995)

[edit]

Winfield, who was the oldest player in MLB at the time, was again granted free agency in October but re-signed with the Indians as spring training began in April 1995. A rotator cuff injury kept him on the disabled list for most of the season, thus he played in only 46 games and hit .191 for Cleveland's first pennant winner in 41 years. He did not participate in the Indians' postseason.

Honors and awards

[edit]
Winfield at his Hall of Fame induction in 2001

Winfield retired in 1996 and, in his first year of eligibility, was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001 as a San Diego Padre, the first Padre to be so honored. The move reportedly irked Yankees' owner George Steinbrenner, however Winfield sounded a conciliatory note toward him, saying, "He's said he regrets a lot of things that happened. We're fine now. Things have changed."[32][33]

In 1998, Winfield was inducted by the San Diego Hall of Champions into the Breitbard Hall of Fame, honoring San Diego's finest athletes both on and off the playing surface.[34]

Winfield's No. 31, retired by the Padres, displayed at Petco Park

In 1999, Winfield ranked number 94 on The Sporting News list of Baseball's Greatest Players,[35] and was a nominee for the Major League Baseball All-Century Team.

He was inducted into the San Diego Padres Hall of Fame in 2000.[36] The Padres retired Winfield's No. 31 on April 14, 2001.[37]

On July 4, 2006, Winfield was inducted into the College Baseball Hall of Fame in its inaugural class.

In 2010, Winfield was selected as one of 28 members of the NCAA Men's College World Series Legends Team.[38]

The Big Ten Network named Winfield its #15 ranked Big Ten Conference "Icon" in 2010.[39]

The 2016 MLB All-Star Game, played at Petco Park in San Diego, was dedicated to Winfield. He had represented the Padres at the first All-Star Game to be played in San Diego.

On June 21, 2024, Winfield returned to Fairbanks for the unveiling of a bronze statue near Growden Park, where he had played for the Alaska Goldpanners of Fairbanks. Winfield also threw out the ceremonial first pitch for the annual Midnight Sun Game.[40]

Post-playing career and appearances

[edit]

In 1996, Winfield joined the new Major League Baseball on Fox program as studio analyst for their Saturday MLB coverage.

From 2001 to 2013, Winfield served as executive vice president/senior advisor of the San Diego Padres.

Dave Winfield at Petco Park in 2016

In 2006, Winfield teamed up with conductor Bob Thompson to create The Baseball Music Project, a series of concerts that celebrate the history of baseball, with Winfield serving as host and narrator.[41]

In 2008, Winfield participated in both the final Old Timers' Day ceremony and final game ceremony at Yankee Stadium.[42]

On June 5, 2008, Major League Baseball held a special draft of the surviving Negro league players to acknowledge and rectify their exclusion from the major leagues on the basis of race. The idea of the special draft was conceived by Winfield. Each major league team drafted one player from the Negro leagues.[43]

On March 31, 2009, Winfield joined ESPN as an analyst on their Baseball Tonight program.[44]

On December 5, 2013, Winfield was named special assistant to Executive Director Tony Clark at the Major League Baseball Players Association.[45]

On July 14, 2014, Winfield returned to Minnesota to throw out the first pitch at the 2014 Home Run Derby along with fellow St. Paul natives Joe Mauer, Paul Molitor, and Jack Morris.[46]

In March 2016, Winfield helped represent Major League Baseball in Cuba during President Obama's trip to the island in an attempt to help normalize relations. On March 21 he gave a press conference with Joe Torre, Derek Jeter, and Luis Tiant in Havana and attended the baseball game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cuba National Team the next day.

In July 2022, Winfield delivered Bud Fowler's Hall of Fame speech in Cooperstown.[47]

[edit]

On Thanksgiving Day 1981, Winfield sang "I'll Take Manhattan" atop the Big Apple Float at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[48]

In 1985, the video game Dave Winfield's Batter Up! was released on computers by Avant-Garde, a producer of interactive educational software.[49] The game featured a 55-page manual co-authored by Winfield[50] and was marketed as an educational tool aimed to teach players about batting. The game was conceived after Winfield was seated next to an Avant-Garde investor on a cross-country flight.[49]

During the 1994–95 MLB strike, Winfield and a handful of other striking players appeared as themselves in the November 27, 1994, episode of Married With Children (Season 9, Episode 11).[51]

In 1995, he made a guest appearance in season 1, episode 10 of The Drew Carey Show.

Activism

[edit]

Philanthropy

[edit]

Well known for his philanthropic work, Winfield was the first active athlete to create a philanthropic foundation, The David M. Winfield Foundation.[52] He began giving back to the communities in which he played from 1973, his first year with the Padres, when he began buying blocks of tickets to Padres games for families who could not afford to go to games, in a program known as "pavilions." Winfield then added health clinics to the equation, by partnering with San Diego's Scripps Clinic who had a mobile clinic which was brought into the stadium parking lot.[53] When Winfield joined the Toronto Blue Jays, he learned teammate David Wells was one of the "Winfield kids" who attended Padres games.[54]

In his hometown of St. Paul, he began a scholarship program (which continues to this day). In 1977, he organized his efforts into an official 501(c)(3) charitable organization known as the David M. Winfield Foundation for Underprivileged Youth.[53] As his salary increased, Foundation programs expanded to include holiday dinner giveaways and national scholarships. In 1978, San Diego hosted the All-Star game, and Winfield bought his usual block of pavilion tickets. Winfield then went on a local radio station and inadvertently invited "all the kids of San Diego" to attend. To accommodate the unexpected crowd, the Foundation brought the kids into batting practice. The All-Star open-practice has since been adopted by Major League Baseball and continues to this day.[5]

When Winfield joined the New York Yankees, he set aside $3 million of his contracted salary for the Winfield Foundation. The foundation created a partnership with the Hackensack University Medical Center[55] including founding The Dave Winfield Nutrition Center,[56] near his Teaneck, New Jersey, home. The Foundation also partnered with Merck Pharmaceuticals and created an internationally acclaimed bilingual substance abuse prevention program called "Turn it Around".[54]

Winfield with Derek Jeter at Dodger Stadium in 2010

The Winfield Foundation also became a bone of contention in Steinbrenner's public feud with Winfield. Steinbrenner alleged that the foundation was mishandling funds and often held back payments to the organization, which resulted in long, costly court battles. It also created the appearance that Steinbrenner was contributing to the foundation, when in actuality, Steinbrenner was holding back a portion of Winfield's salary. Ultimately, the foundation received all of its funding and the alleged improprieties proved unfounded.

Winfield's philanthropic endeavors had as much influence on many of MLB's players as his on-field play. Yankee Derek Jeter, who grew up idolizing Winfield for both his athleticism and humanitarianism, credits Winfield as the inspiration for his own Turn 2 Foundation.[57] In turn, Winfield continues to help raise funds and awareness for Jeter's Foundation and for many other groups and causes throughout the country.

Quotes

[edit]
  • Now it's on to May, and you know about me and May.[22] —after setting an American League record for RBI in April 1988.
  • I am truly sorry that a fowl of Canada is no longer with us.[22] —to the press after being released following the 1983 bird-killing incident.
  • These days baseball is different. You come to spring training, you get your legs ready, your arms loose, your agents ready, your lawyer lined up.[58]—at spring training, 1988, in response to his on-going feud with Steinbrenner.
  • I have no problem with Bruce Springsteen.—when asked by the New York Daily News why he has such a problematic relationship with "the Boss" (a nickname shared by both Springsteen and Steinbrenner).
  • "Three-ninety-nine sounds like something you'd purchase at a discount store. Four hundred sounds so much better.[28]—upon hitting his 400th home run after 10 days mired at 399.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Dave Winfield

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
David Mark Winfield (born October 3, 1951) is an American former professional baseball right fielder who played 22 seasons in from 1973 to 1995. Standing at 6 feet 6 inches, Winfield bypassed the entirely after being drafted fourth overall by the San Diego Padres in 1973, marking the start of a career distinguished by athletic versatility and durability. Winfield's achievements include 3,110 hits, 465 home runs, and 1,833 runs batted in, alongside 12 selections, seven Gold Glove Awards for defensive excellence, and six Silver Slugger Awards recognizing his offensive prowess as a hitter. He contributed to the Blue Jays' victory with a game-winning RBI double in Game 6. Prior to his MLB tenure, Winfield excelled in both and at the and became the first athlete drafted by four professional leagues—MLB, NBA, ABA, and —ultimately selecting . Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2001, Winfield's career spanned teams including the Padres, New York Yankees, California Angels, Blue Jays, , and Cleveland Indians, where his consistent production and physical presence defined an era of power hitting and outfield defense. His post-playing contributions include executive roles and philanthropy focused on and education.

Early Life

Upbringing and Family Background

David Mark Winfield was born on October 3, 1951, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Frank Winfield, a waiter on passenger trains, and Arline Winfield, a public school employee. His parents separated when he was three years old, leaving his mother to raise him and his older brother, Steve, alone in the city's predominantly Black . Arline Winfield supported the family through her employment while emphasizing discipline, , and perseverance amid economic challenges typical of the working-class . The area, a vibrant hub for St. Paul's Black residents during Winfield's youth, provided a close-knit environment where family and ties influenced his early development, though it later faced disruption from projects. The brothers' upbringing in this setting fostered resilience, with Winfield later crediting his mother's influence for shaping his work ethic and community orientation.

Initial Athletic Development

David Mark Winfield, born October 3, 1951, in St. Paul, , initiated his athletic pursuits in local youth programs amid a challenging family environment following his parents' divorce around age three. Raised by his mother, Arline Vivian Winfield, in a modest row house on Carroll Avenue in a predominantly near the state capitol, he was instilled with an emphasis on and , learning a new word each night from his mother. These early years laid the foundation for his multi-sport involvement, reflecting the diverse athletic opportunities available in mid-20th-century urban . Winfield's initial development centered on and hockey, sports he played as a youngster at community facilities like Oxford Playgrounds. There, under the coaching of —one of the earliest figures to identify his raw talent—he refined fundamental skills such as hand-eye coordination and competitive drive, which would later distinguish him in higher levels of play. This playground-based training, common in St. Paul during the era, emphasized informal yet rigorous practice without early specialization, allowing Winfield to build versatility across sports before formal high school competition. By his pre-teen and early teen years, Winfield's engagement extended to organized youth baseball, where he demonstrated and prowess, foreshadowing achievements like captaining teams to regional successes. His mother's support and the neighborhood's sports culture fostered resilience, as Winfield balanced with academic focus in a context where such multi-faceted development was normative rather than exceptional.

Amateur Career

High School Achievements

Winfield attended St. Paul Central High School in St. Paul, , where he distinguished himself as a multi-sport , primarily in and . He earned All-St. Paul and All- honors in both sports, reflecting his standout performances despite not achieving his full physical stature until his senior year. In , Winfield contributed significantly as a senior, averaging 9.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game, helping to showcase his versatility as an . His prowess drew professional attention early, as the Baltimore Orioles selected him in the 40th round of the 1969 MLB June Amateur Draft, though he declined to sign and instead accepted a full scholarship to the . Beyond school teams, Winfield teamed with his brother Steve on the Attucks-Brooks Post 606 squad, leading it to two state championships and further honing his skills in competitive summer play. These accomplishments underscored his raw talent and athletic potential, earning him posthumous induction into the St. Paul Central High School Athletic Hall of Fame in 1995.

College Performance at

Winfield enrolled at the in 1971, competing in both and for the Golden Gophers as a two-sport . In , he appeared in 46 games over two seasons as a forward, averaging 9.0 points and 5.8 rebounds per game. His primary focus, however, was , where he developed as a right-handed and from 1971 to 1973, contributing to a team that emphasized his versatile skills. Over his collegiate career, Winfield posted a 19-4 pitching record, demonstrating dominance on the mound for the Gophers. His junior and senior years showcased increasing prowess, with standout performances in key games that highlighted his ability to overpower hitters through velocity and control. Winfield's pinnacle came in 1973, his final season, when he earned honors as a and led to its only appearance. In the tournament held in , from June 8 to 16, he started two games, pitching 17⅓ innings while allowing just one earned run, striking out 29 batters, and maintaining a through much of the semifinal against USC before an unearned run scored. Offensively, he batted .467 during the series, underscoring his two-way threat. Despite the Gophers finishing third overall, Winfield's exceptional contributions earned him recognition. These feats solidified his status as one of the program's all-time greats, paving the way for his professional transition.

Professional Career

San Diego Padres Tenure (1973–1980)

Winfield was selected by the Padres with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the . The Padres signed him shortly thereafter and promoted him directly to the major leagues without seasoning, a rare occurrence for a recent draftee. He made his MLB debut on June 19, 1973, at age 21, starting in right field against the Phillies at . In his rookie season, Winfield appeared in 100 games, batting .277 with 12 home runs and 68 runs batted in (RBI), while splitting time between the outfield and pitching in two games. During his initial years with the Padres, Winfield transitioned fully to duties, establishing himself as a power-hitting corner with speed and defensive prowess. From 1974 to 1976, he posted batting averages above .280 each season, culminating in a .303 mark in 1976 accompanied by 25 home runs and 90 RBI. His breakout came in 1977, when he earned his first selection and hit .280 with 21 home runs. Winfield maintained status annually through 1980, reflecting his rising dominance in the National League. In 1978, he was named the Padres' team MVP after batting .289 with 24 home runs and 92 RBI, and he contributed to the National League's victory by scoring the game-winning run in the eighth inning. Winfield's peak performance in occurred in 1979, when he led the National League with 118 RBI despite the Padres scoring only 603 runs as a team that year, finishing third in MVP voting. He won his first that season for exceptional right field defense, followed by another in 1980. Over his eight seasons with the Padres, Winfield compiled a .284 , 154 runs, 626 RBI, and 133 stolen bases, serving as the franchise's cornerstone player amid otherwise struggling teams that never finished above .500 during his tenure. His contributions included leading the team in multiple offensive categories annually and providing stability in the outfield, though the Padres' lack of overall success limited postseason opportunities.

New York Yankees Period (1981–1990)

Winfield joined the New York Yankees on December 15, 1980, signing a 10-year contract valued at $23 million, the largest in professional sports history at that time. In his debut season of , he batted .294 with 13 home runs and 68 RBIs over 105 games, contributing defensively and offensively to the Yankees' pennant victory. However, his performance was ineffective, managing only 1 hit in 22 at-bats against the . From 1982 to 1988, Winfield established himself as a perennial , earning selections each year while posting consistent power production, including six seasons with 100 or more RBIs. He won Gold Glove Awards for outstanding right field play in 1982–1985 and 1987, and Silver Slugger Awards from 1981 to 1985 recognizing his offensive prowess among outfielders. His career batting line with the Yankees reflected durability and productivity, though tempered by occasional slumps and injuries; he averaged approximately 142 games per full season in that span, with a .290 , 23 home runs, and 99 RBIs annually from 1982–1988.
YearGamesPAHitsHRRBIAVGOBPSLGOPS
19811054401141368.294.360.464.824
198214059715137106.280.331.560.891
198315266416932116.283.345.513.858
198414162619319100.340.393.515.908
198515568917426114.275.328.471.799
198615465214824104.262.349.462.811
19871566551582797.275.358.457.815
198814963118025107.322.398.530.927
199020671326.213.269.361.629
Note: Winfield missed the entire 1989 season due to back surgery. In 1990, persistent back issues limited him to 20 games before his departure from the team. Overall, Winfield's Yankees tenure yielded 1,398 hits, 228 home runs, and 818 RBIs, underscoring his status as a high-volume despite the team's lack of success during that decade.

Later Team Affiliations (1990–1995)

Winfield was traded from the New York Yankees to the California Angels on May 11, 1990, in exchange for pitcher , marking the end of his contentious tenure in New York and initiating a resurgence in his production at age 38. With the Angels, he posted a .275 and 72 home runs over 1990 and 1991, including 26 homers and 72 RBIs in 1990 alone, demonstrating sustained power despite his advancing age. This period revitalized his career, as he ranked among the leaders in and in limited action, contributing to the Angels' competitive push before departing as a following the 1991 season. Signing with the Toronto Blue Jays for the 1992 season, Winfield provided veteran leadership and clutch hitting to a contending team, batting .246 with 26 home runs and 72 RBIs in the regular season. His most notable contribution came in of the against the on October 24, 1992, where his two-run double in the 11th inning scored Devon White and , securing a 4-2 victory and clinching Toronto's first championship. This hit silenced earlier postseason critiques, as Winfield became the first player to deliver the decisive blow in a World Series-deciding game at age 41. Winfield returned to his hometown Minnesota Twins via free agency in December 1992, signing a two-year contract to chase milestones with the team that drafted him years earlier. Primarily serving as a , he batted .212 with 9 home runs in 1993, reaching his 3,000th career hit on September 16 against the —a single to left field off in the Metrodome—becoming the 19th player and first Minnesotan to achieve the feat for a local club. The 1994 season was abbreviated by the players' strike after 115 games, during which he hit .161 in 47 appearances for the Twins before being traded to the Cleveland Indians on August 31; however, the deal did not result in play that year due to the work stoppage. Reuniting with after the strike's resolution, Winfield signed a minor-league contract on April 5, 1995, and made the roster as the league's oldest active player at 43. Limited to 46 games as a part-time , he managed a .191 with 5 and 17 RBIs, including a pivotal pinch-hit on that sparked a comeback win against the . A torn sidelined him late in the season, excluding him from the postseason roster despite the Indians' appearance, after which he announced his retirement on February 7, 1996, concluding a 22-year career with 3,110 hits and 465 .

Career Evaluation

Statistical Accomplishments and Records

Over his 22-season career spanning 1973 to 1995, Dave Winfield accumulated 3,110 , 465 home runs, and 1,833 runs batted in (RBI), establishing himself as one of the most durable and productive outfielders of his era. He played in 2,973 games, recording a .283 , .353 , .475 , and .828 across 11,003 at-bats. Winfield's 64.2 Wins Above Replacement (WAR) reflect his value as both an offensive and defensive contributor, with 1,669 runs scored, 540 doubles, 88 triples, 223 stolen bases, and 5,221 .
StatisticCareer Total
Games Played2,973
At-Bats11,003
Hits3,110
Home Runs465
RBI1,833
Batting Average.283
OPS.828
WAR64.2
Winfield reached the 3,000-hit milestone on September 29, 1993, while with the Minnesota Twins, joining an elite group of players; uniquely among the 3,000-hit club, he amassed fewer than 1,500 hits with any single team. He led the National League in runs scored with 104 in 1977 and in RBI with 118 in 1979, both during his tenure with the San Diego Padres. Winfield earned 12 selections from 1977 to 1988, highlighting his consistent excellence. Defensively, he won seven Gold Glove Awards as a : two in the National League (1979, 1980) and five in the (1982–1985, 1987). Offensively, he received six Silver Slugger Awards: five consecutive from 1981 to 1985 and another in 1992, recognizing his superior hitting among outfielders.

Performance Critiques and Postseason Record

Winfield's postseason batting line across 26 games stood at .208/.310/.356, with 21 hits, 2 home runs, and 9 RBIs in 101 at-bats. His appearances were limited to the 1981 playoffs with the New York Yankees, where he hit .182/.286/.273 over 14 games (10 hits, 0 home runs, 3 RBIs), including a 1-for-21 performance (.048 average) in the against the , and the 1992 playoffs with the Toronto Blue Jays, where he improved to .239/.327/.413 in 12 games (11 hits, 2 home runs, 6 RBIs). The 1992 contribution included key hits in the and , aiding Toronto's championship win, though his overall postseason output lagged behind his regular-season .283 career average and 465 home runs. Critiques of Winfield's performance often centered on perceived deficiencies in clutch situations and postseason execution, despite his consistent regular-season production of high batting averages, extra-base hits, and defensive prowess in right field. Yankees owner coined the derogatory nickname "Mr. May" following the slump, explicitly contrasting it with Reggie Jackson's "Mr. October" reputation for dramatic late-inning and playoff heroics. Steinbrenner frequently highlighted Winfield's clutch hitting as inferior to Jackson's, pointing to instances of underperformance in high-leverage games and playoff at-bats during his Yankees tenure. Quantitative assessments supported some of these observations, with Winfield's late-inning and runner-in-scoring-position statistics showing a modest dip below his baseline output, rendering him "mediocre in the clutch" rather than exceptional, though not drastically worse than league norms. Defensive metrics further fueled critiques, as advanced evaluations placed Winfield's right-field play below major-league average in run prevention, despite seven Gold Glove awards and a reputation for a strong throwing arm; for instance, Total Zone ratings indicated consistent deficits of 8-10 defensive runs per season relative to peers. These elements contributed to narratives questioning whether Winfield's physical gifts—standing 6-foot-6 with exceptional athleticism—translated fully to on-field impact in critical moments, though his longevity (2,973 games played) and cumulative achievements mitigated broader doubts about his Hall of Fame caliber. The "Mr. May" label persisted in media discourse until his ring, but analysts have argued it overstated isolated failures given the Yankees' team-wide issues in 1981 and Winfield's superior 1992 showing.

Controversies

Conflict with George Steinbrenner

The animosity between Dave Winfield and New York Yankees owner originated soon after Winfield signed a 10-year, $23 million contract with the team on December 16, 1980, the largest in professional sports at the time. Steinbrenner quickly expressed regret, publicly criticizing Winfield's performance—particularly his postseason struggles—and nicknaming him "Mr. May" in contrast to Reggie Jackson's "Mr. October" moniker, reflecting dissatisfaction with Winfield's .143 batting average in the . A central flashpoint involved contractual obligations for the Yankees to contribute $300,000 annually to the David M. Winfield Foundation, Winfield's . Steinbrenner withheld payments beginning in 1982, prompting the foundation to sue him on May 28, 1982, for overdue amounts. The dispute settled out of court in October 1983, with Steinbrenner agreeing to pay $145,000 immediately, $300,000 by December 13, 1983, and future installments as required. Tensions reignited in 1988 when the Yankees accused the foundation of misappropriating funds, including improper loans to individuals such as gambler Howard Spira, a former acquaintance of Winfield. On January 6, 1989, the foundation countersued Steinbrenner and the Yankees for over $1 million in withheld contributions, alleging ; Steinbrenner responded by claiming the foundation's financial irregularities justified the non-payments, though the suit settled out of court in September 1989 for $600,000 held in . The feud escalated dramatically in early 1990 when Steinbrenner, seeking leverage amid ongoing foundation disputes, paid $40,000 to Howard Spira—a gambler with ties to Winfield and mounting debts—on January 18, 1990, to obtain damaging information about Winfield's finances and the foundation's operations. Steinbrenner made two additional payments of $10,000 each in February 1990, later claiming the arrangement aimed to neutralize potential blackmail rather than initiate a smear campaign. The payments, first reported by on March 22, 1990, triggered a league investigation by Commissioner , who viewed them as an attempt to intimidate a player and undermine baseball's . On July 30, 1990, Vincent suspended Steinbrenner from managing the Yankees for life (later reduced), citing the episode as a violation of the commissioner's to protect players from owner . Winfield, traded to the California Angels on May 11, 1990, amid the unfolding scandal, described Steinbrenner's actions as obsessive harassment driven by buyer's remorse over the contract. Howard Spira, a Bronx-based with ties to figures due to unpaid debts, served as an unpaid for the Dave Winfield Foundation during the late . Winfield has denied formally employing Spira, describing their connection as limited to Spira's unsolicited volunteer efforts promoting foundation events. Spira openly invoked Winfield's name in social and circles, which associates later noted made his involvement with the foundation conspicuous. Following a personal falling out with Winfield, Spira contacted New York Yankees owner in late 1989, offering damaging information on Winfield, including allegations of mismanagement and misuse of funds within the Dave Winfield Foundation. In exchange, Spira demanded $150,000, a Yankees job, and hotel accommodations. On January 8, 1990, Steinbrenner paid Spira $40,000—delivered in two installments—for documents and leads purportedly substantiating claims of foundation irregularities, such as improper financial diversions. The arrangement escalated when Spira sought additional payments from Steinbrenner, leading to federal charges against Spira for ; he was convicted in 1991 and sentenced to 2.5 years in . Steinbrenner's involvement prompted Commissioner to suspend him from team operations for three years in July 1990, citing violations of the commissioner's integrity rules against associating with known gamblers. Winfield faced no formal MLB discipline or criminal charges stemming from Spira's allegations, which centered on unverified claims of foundation fund misuse rather than proven . MLB officials emphasized that Winfield had rebuffed Spira after their rift, contrasting his actions with Steinbrenner's engagement. The episode amplified existing tensions from Winfield's prior against Steinbrenner over withheld charitable contributions but did not yield substantiated evidence against Winfield himself. In the late , the David M. Winfield Foundation became the subject of allegations concerning financial mismanagement and underfunding by its founder. A 1989 report indicated that the had determined Winfield personally failed to contribute at least $300,000 to the foundation as contractually or personally required since 1982, prompting questions about compliance with pledged donations intended for charitable programs. These concerns overlapped with countersuit claims by , who asserted that Winfield had misused foundation assets, including diverting funds for non-charitable purposes, and owed the organization approximately $1.4 million as a result. Steinbrenner further implied the foundation's operations lacked transparency and charitable intent, though such accusations were framed within their broader contractual litigation and lacked independent verification beyond the disputants' positions. No criminal charges arose from these allegations, and IRS filings from to 1982 showed the foundation had raised $500,576—primarily through Winfield's own donations of $202,000—while directing about 40% of funds ($202,000) toward programs aiding underprivileged children, with the balance covering salaries, travel, and administrative expenses typical of athlete-led charities at the time. The disputes highlighted operational challenges but were ultimately addressed through civil settlements without proven wrongdoing or dissolution of the foundation.

Philanthropy and Activism

Establishment of the David M. Winfield Foundation

The David M. Winfield Foundation was founded in 1977 by Dave Winfield, an active player with the Padres at the time, marking him as the first professional athlete to establish a dedicated philanthropic organization during his playing career. The initiative stemmed from Winfield's personal background in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he and his brother benefited from by community coach Clyde Peterson, prompting Winfield to formalize efforts to guide inner-city youth through structured charitable programs. In that year, Winfield organized his prior informal charitable activities—such as providing support to disadvantaged families—into a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) entity officially named the David M. Winfield Foundation for Underprivileged Youth, with an initial emphasis on education, health services, and holiday assistance. The foundation's establishment reflected Winfield's commitment to addressing societal challenges faced by urban youth, including access to mentorship and resources, amid his rising prominence in baseball following a standout rookie season in 1973. By 1978, it had already distributed grants totaling $17,529, demonstrating early operational scale despite Winfield's limited direct involvement in day-to-day management to focus on his athletic responsibilities.

Programs, Impact, and Verifiable Outcomes

The David M. Winfield Foundation, founded in 1977 as the first established by an active professional athlete, implemented programs focused on underprivileged youth and families, including services, nutritional counseling, educational scholarships, holiday meals, , and initiatives for high school students. These efforts also encompassed providing game tickets and general support to foster hope among recipients, operating for over 22 years. Partnerships with institutions such as Hackensack Medical Center and planned collaborations with Columbia Presbyterian Hospital enabled targeted health, nutrition, and fitness programs. A dedicated fund, initiated shortly after Winfield's college graduation around 1973 and formalized through the foundation, supported minority student-athletes in based on academic, athletic, and community criteria; by 2015, it had continued for 38 years. Financial records indicate the foundation raised $500,576 from 1977 to 1982, disbursing $231,563 directly to charitable purposes during that period, with Winfield personally contributing $202,000. Additional external funding included $600,000 from New York Yankees owner over two years in the late 1980s, directed to the foundation amid contractual obligations. Verifiable outcomes remain limited to these operational metrics and program longevity, with no publicly documented aggregate counts of beneficiaries or long-term success rates such as graduation or health improvements from independent evaluations.

Post-Playing Career

Executive and Organizational Roles

Following his retirement from playing in 1995, Winfield joined the front office of the Padres in 2001 as executive vice president and senior advisor. In this capacity, he contributed to organizational decision-making across business operations, diversity programs, , and community relations, drawing on his experience as a Hall of Fame player and longtime Padres alumnus. His tenure lasted 12 years, during which he provided oversight and strategic recommendations to multiple front-office departments. Winfield departed the Padres in December 2013 after 13 years of service, transitioning to other advisory roles in . Concurrently, he founded and continues to lead Winfield & Winfield, Ltd., as CEO and president, a established in 1995 that offers strategic guidance to Major and Minor League players on contractual rights, financial matters, and post-career planning. Through this enterprise, Winfield has positioned himself as a businessman and executive advisor, leveraging his industry expertise for player representation and organizational consulting.

MLBPA Involvement and Advocacy

Winfield joined the (MLBPA) early in his playing career, serving as a player representative for 15 years and emphasizing unity among members to strengthen . As a key union advocate during his active tenure, he pushed for improved player salaries, benefits, and rights, contributing to negotiations that enhanced player protections and in . His efforts helped solidify the MLBPA's role as a formidable labor organization, influencing policies on free agency and contract security amid owner-labor tensions in the and . Following his retirement from playing in 1995, Winfield transitioned to advisory roles within the MLBPA, becoming a special assistant to in December 2013. In this capacity, he advised on player development, contract negotiations, and post-career transitions, while shaping initiatives like the Players Trust charity arm and programs honoring Negro Leagues veterans. Winfield's involvement extended to mentoring younger players on and union solidarity, drawing from his experience in high-profile disputes such as his 1980s conflict with Yankees owner over contract guarantees. Winfield retired from his MLBPA advisory position on February 17, 2025, after over a decade of service, crediting the union's evolution into a powerful for player interests. His advocacy legacy includes fostering cross-generational collaboration, which MLBPA described as instrumental in maintaining the organization's institutional strength against league expansions and media revenue shifts.

Recent Honors and Activities (Post-2020)

In June 2024, a bronze statue honoring Winfield's tenure with the Alaska Goldpanners was unveiled in , commemorating his famous "Midnight Sun Moonshot" from the 1972 at Growden Memorial Park. The , depicting Winfield in his Goldpanners mid-swing, was initially revealed across from the park before being relocated to its permanent site at the intersection of Second Avenue and Wilbur Street following a year-long delay, with final installation and dedication occurring on July 17, 2025. Winfield attended the initial unveiling with family, reflecting on his early amateur career that preceded his professional debut. On July 19, 2025, St. Paul hosted the Dave Winfield Legacy Celebration at Stadium, drawing fans and community members to recognize his origins at St. Paul Central High School, stardom, and lasting impact on local history. The public event featured speeches, memorabilia displays, and tributes to Winfield's journey from roots to Hall of Fame induction, underscoring his role as a "hometown hero." Winfield has remained active in baseball discourse, including a April 2024 interview where he commented on New York Yankees prospects like and , drawing parallels to his own career and Hall of Fame experiences. In July 2022, he co-hosted the "Evening of Champions" event ahead of Major League Baseball's , fostering off-field networking among baseball figures.

Personal Life

Family and Relationships

Winfield was born on October 3, 1951, in St. Paul, Minnesota, to Frank Winfield, a waiter and veteran, and Arline Winfield, an employee in the public school system. Prior to his marriage, Winfield fathered a daughter, Shanel, with Sandra Renfro; the child was born circa 1982. In January 1985, Renfro filed a civil suit alleging and seeking , with the case proceeding to trial in June , during which a former girlfriend of Winfield testified that he had sought to keep her pregnancy private. Winfield began a long-term relationship with Tonya Turner around 1982 and married her on February 18, 1988. As of February 2025, the couple marked 37 years of marriage and 43 years together. With Tonya, Winfield has twins, David Jr. and Arielle. Winfield has described family as central to his life, though his career demands historically strained personal relationships.

Health, Reflections, and Legacy

Winfield has maintained an active lifestyle post-retirement, remaining a member of the same health club for over 20 years and emphasizing consistent fitness routines. During his playing career, he underwent in March 1989 to repair a herniated disk in his lower back, which sidelined him for the season but allowed a return the following year. In 2019, Winfield experienced a health scare involving symptoms suggestive of , a cancer, which he described as a "close call" after learning more about the disease through personal research and family history—his father-in-law succumbed to it years earlier. This incident heightened his advocacy for cancer awareness, including and , motivated by his mother's death from the latter in 1998 after a rapid 18-month decline. No further major health disclosures have been reported as of his MLBPA retirement in February 2025. In reflections on his career, Winfield has stressed perseverance amid adversity, including his contentious Yankees tenure under owner , which he characterized in 2001 as a period of "living anonymously" overshadowed by conflicts but ultimately overcome to focus on later successes like his contribution with the Blue Jays. He has highlighted the importance of staying healthy and available, advising younger players against while crediting consistent play for his across 22 seasons and multiple teams. Winfield often recounts reaching his childhood dream through discipline, as shared in 2023 discussions on highlights from the Padres era to appearances, viewing his path as a model of focus and opportunity seized despite multi-sport draft temptations. and , influenced by his mother's values, remain central to his post-career outlook, where he draws parallels between baseball's demands and broader life lessons in resilience. Winfield's legacy endures as a 2001 Baseball Hall of Fame inductee on his first ballot, recognizing 3,110 hits, 465 home runs, 12 All-Star selections, and a rare feat as the only athlete drafted by four professional leagues (MLB's Padres, NBA's Hawks, NFL's , and ABA's Hawks) before choosing . His post-playing contributions include executive roles with the Padres and Indians, MLBPA leadership until his February 17, 2025, retirement, and motivational speaking on perseverance, cementing influence on player development and community initiatives. In July 2025, St. Paul hosted the Dave Winfield Legacy Celebration at Toni Stone Stadium, honoring his roots, amateur achievements, and ongoing impact on youth and urban development. Despite controversies like the Steinbrenner feud, his career metrics and advocacy underscore a model of athletic excellence and , with his No. 31 retired by the Padres.

References

  1. https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/winfield-dave
  2. https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/w/winfida01.shtml
  3. https://www.mlb.com/player/dave-winfield-124448
  4. https://davewinfield.io/career/
  5. https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/dave-winfield/
  6. https://sports.jrank.org/pages/5372/Winfield-Dave-Close-Family.html
  7. https://www.fredhutch.org/en/news/center-news/2015/01/hutch-award-luncheon-speaker-dave-winfield-carries-on-mothers-values.html
  8. https://www.twincities.com/2025/07/19/rondo-royalty-and-hometown-hero-dave-winfield-honored-in-st-paul/
  9. https://gophersports.com/sports/2018/5/21/sports-m-club-spec-rel-hof-winfield-html.aspx
  10. https://thisdayinbaseball.com/dave-winfield-dominates-the-college-world-series/
  11. https://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Dave_Winfield
  12. https://www.mlb.com/news/dave-winfield-padres-hall-of-fame-all-star-c187300320
  13. https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=winfida01
  14. https://www.mlb.com/padres/history/padres-hall-of-fame
  15. https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/winfield-signs-record-setting-deal-with-yankees
  16. https://www.mlb.com/news/dave-winfield-top-career-moments
  17. https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/trade-to-angels-sparks-late-career-surge-for-winfield
  18. https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/winfields-double-wins-series-for-jays
  19. https://sabr.org/journal/article/foreword-1992-world-champion-toronto-blue-jays-by-dave-winfield/
  20. https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/september-16-1993-dave-winfield-collects-3000th-career-hit/
  21. https://www.si.com/mlb/guardians/opinion/memorial-day-memory-winfields-one-shining-indians-moment-sparks-1995-comeback-against-chicago
  22. https://thisdayinbaseball.com/dave-winfield-announces-his-retirement-at-the-age-of-44/
  23. http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/02/02/card-corner-dave-winfield/
  24. https://www.nytimes.com/1986/08/28/sports/sports-of-the-times-the-worth-of-winfield.html
  25. https://sabr.org/journal/article/clutch-hitting-in-the-major-leagues-a-psychological-perspective/
  26. https://www.baseball-fever.com/forum/general-baseball/statistics-analysis-sabermetrics/74658-dave-winfield-s-fielding
  27. https://www.pinstripealley.com/2020/11/13/21563548/yankees-slugger-dave-winfield-historic-statistics-strikeouts-longevity-hall-of-fame
  28. https://vault.si.com/vault/1988/04/11/yanked-about-by-the-boss-bringing-their-feud-to-a-head-george-steinbrenner-sought-to-discredit-to-humiliate-and-to-unload-dave-winfield
  29. https://www.azsnakepit.com/2011/4/18/2095444/baseballs-greatest-scandals-steinbrenner-winfield
  30. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/10/05/sports/winfield-charity-sues-steinbrenner.html
  31. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-01-08-sp-339-story.html
  32. https://www.nydailynews.com/2010/07/13/howie-spira-hired-by-george-steinbrenner-to-help-smear-dave-winfield-still-holds-grudge/
  33. https://thisdayinbaseball.com/gambler-howard-spira-is-arrested-for-extorting-money-from-new-york-yankees-owner-george-steinbrenner/
  34. https://content.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0%2C28804%2C2003503_2003501_2003499%2C00.html
  35. https://www.nydailynews.com/2010/01/16/howie-spira-the-bronx-gambler-who-dug-up-dirt-on-dave-winfield-is-down-on-his-luck/
  36. https://nypost.com/2020/06/03/how-bronx-low-life-upended-yankees-george-steinbrenner/
  37. https://vault.si.com/vault/1990/10/08/bad-job-baseball-even-as-they-gave-the-boot-to-yankee-owner-george-steinbrenner-the-commissioner-and-his-men-ignored-a-mountain-of-evidence-suggesting-wrongdoing-by-others-in-the-game
  38. https://sportshandle.com/furious-george-howie-spira-gambling-debt-yankees/
  39. https://www.facebook.com/WEDONTKNOWSPORTS/posts/did-you-knowin-the-late-1980s-howie-spira-an-unpaid-publicist-for-dave-winfields/960098429506564/
  40. https://nypost.com/2010/07/14/spira-still-bitter-over-steinbrenner-gate/
  41. https://todayinbaseball.com/steinbrenner-winfield-spira/
  42. https://www.pinstripealley.com/2020/3/23/21190231/yankees-history-elliot-maddox-george-steinbrenner-dave-winfield-howard-spira-dellin-betances
  43. https://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/10857561/notable-punishments-handed-major-professional-sports-owners
  44. https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/the-complicated-hall-of-fame-case-of-george-steinbrenner/
  45. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1990/05/12/yankees-try-to-unload-winfield-all-star-rejects-trade-to-angels/
  46. https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1989/01/12/report-winfield-underpaid-foundation/wp00000020011117dl1c00080/
  47. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-09-22-sp-18239-story.html
  48. https://www.nytimes.com/1983/11/01/sports/athlete-charities-benefits-pitfalls.html
  49. https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/sports-and-games/sports-biographies/dave-winfield
  50. https://sports.jrank.org/pages/5374/Winfield-Dave-Winfield-Foundation.html
  51. https://ampers.org/david-mark-winfield/
  52. https://www.simonandschuster.com/authors/Dave-Winfield/255272744
  53. https://uawards.umn.edu/recipients-outstanding-achievement-award/david-m-winfield
  54. https://davewinfield.io/history/
  55. https://www.mlb.com/padres/news/dave-winfields-new-role-with-the-mlbpa/c-64417330
  56. https://www.linkedin.com/in/davewinfieldhof
  57. https://www.davewinfieldhof.com/advisory
  58. https://www.princemarketinggroup.com/gallery/dave-winfield/
  59. https://www.mlbplayers.com/black-history-month-2024
  60. https://davewinfield.io/about-winfield/
  61. https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/43892010/hall-famer-dave-winfield-retires-players-union
  62. https://www.davewinfieldhof.com/about
  63. https://www.mlb.com/news/dave-winfield-statue-in-alaska
  64. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2025/07/23/dave-winfield-statue-finally-posted-following-year-long-delay/
  65. https://www.newsminer.com/sports/baseball/dave-winfield-s-midnight-sun-moonshot-statue-finds-its-permanent-home/article_b1eb4e9a-4d12-43a1-80d5-c312e1032b6c.html
  66. https://wjon.com/dave-winfield-legacy-celebration/
  67. https://www.stpaul.gov/news/release-dave-winfield-legacy-celebration-toni-stone-stadium
  68. https://spokesman-recorder.com/2025/07/24/dave-winfield-st-paul-statue-honor/
  69. https://www.pinstripealley.com/2024/4/4/24119451/yankees-interview-dave-winfield-hall-of-fame-juan-soto-aaron-judge
  70. https://davewinfield.io/evening-of-champions/
  71. https://aaregistry.org/story/minnesotas-best-athlete-dave-winfield/
  72. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/06/20/Winfield-trial-begins/6509614318400/
  73. https://www.upi.com/Archives/1989/06/22/Winfields-former-girlfriend-testifies/6615614491200/
  74. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1991-04-04-sp-2571-story.html
  75. https://www.instagram.com/p/DGOCt0POEMg/?hl=en
  76. https://mabumbe.com/people/dave-winfield-biography-age-career-net-worth-and-family/
  77. https://vault.si.com/vault/1992/06/29/i-feel-a-whole-lot-better-now-dave-winfields-20-year-baseball-career-often-touched-by-trouble-and-trauma-has-taken-a-happy-turn-in-toronto
  78. https://davewinfield.io/faq/
  79. https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/25/sports/baseball-winfield-feels-better-after-back-surgery.html
  80. https://www.sportscollectorsdaily.com/dave-winfield-returns-to-toronto-to-sign-at-expo-but-support-for-cancer-patients-is-more-personal/
  81. https://www.essence.com/news/dave-winfield-takes-on-breast-cancer/
  82. http://www.espn.com/classic/s/2001/0803/1234799.html
  83. https://www.mlb.com/video/dave-winfield-reflects-on-career
  84. https://www.urologytimes.com/view/former-mlb-player-dave-winfield-shares-lessons-from-baseball-philanthropy
  85. https://sports.yahoo.com/hall-famer-dave-winfield-retires-195846463.html
  86. https://www.davewinfieldhof.com/career
Add your contribution
Related Hubs
User Avatar
No comments yet.