Brook Jacoby
Encyclopedia
Brook Wallace Jacoby is a former Major League Baseball
third baseman
and the current hitting coach of the Cincinnati Reds
. Jacoby played in the major leagues from 1981 through 1992, and in Japan in 1993. He batted and threw right-handed. His father Brook Wallace Jacoby Sr. played in the Philadelphia Phillies organization in 1956.
in the 7th round of the 1979 amateur draft. He played in the Braves' minor league
system for five years, until being traded to the Cleveland Indians
in 1983 along with Brett Butler and Rick Behenna
for Cleveland pitcher Len Barker
.
, 116 hits
, and seven home run
s. All his statistics would improve in 1985; batting average to .274, 166 hits, 20 home runs, and a career high 87 RBI
.
1986 was a landmark year for Jacoby, as he earned his first All-Star Game
appearance. While his statistics only improved slightly over 1985 (his average went up to .288 and 168 hits, with fewer home runs and RBI - and more strike outs).
In 1987 Jacoby batted .300 and had a career high 32 home runs. In addition, he lowered his strike out number to only 73. Jacoby's best season was one of only a few bright spots for a Cleveland team that finished with a record of 61-101. The team had such a hard time scoring runs that Jacoby had only 69 RBI, despite his 32 home runs.
Jacoby went into a slump in 1988, where he hit .241 and his offensive production on all levels decreased. 1989 would show a small improvement over the prior year, as he raised his average to .272 and increased his offensive production. Jacoby once again showed improvement in 1990, as his average was .293 and also had his lowest number of strikeouts (58) and earned his second All-Star appearance.
In 1990, Jacoby and Dave Parker
were chosen for the 1990 All Star Game. While neither got much field time during the game, Jacoby and Parker formed a friendship that continues to this day. Jacoby and Parker meet once a year for a fishing trip in Wisconsin.
1991 would turn out to be Jacoby's last full season. He suffered from an elbow injury, and in the middle the year was traded to the Oakland Athletics
for Lee Tinsley
. In total, he hit .224 with only 94 hits and four home runs.
It was not long before Jacoby came back to Cleveland. He became a free agent
after 1991, and signed with the Indians in 1992. Although he was signed to back-up starting third baseman Jim Thome
, Thome broke his wrist and Jacoby took over the starting job. Sinking to career lows in hits, home runs, and RBIs, he was let go by the Indians at the end of the season.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
and the current hitting coach of the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. Jacoby played in the major leagues from 1981 through 1992, and in Japan in 1993. He batted and threw right-handed. His father Brook Wallace Jacoby Sr. played in the Philadelphia Phillies organization in 1956.
Early career
Jacoby was drafted by the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the 7th round of the 1979 amateur draft. He played in the Braves' minor league
Minor league
Minor leagues are professional sports leagues which are not regarded as the premier leagues in those sports. Minor league teams tend to play in smaller, less elaborate venues, often competing in smaller cities. This term is used in North America with regard to several organizations competing in...
system for five years, until being traded to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in 1983 along with Brett Butler and Rick Behenna
Rick Behenna
Richard Kipp Behenna is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves in 1983 and the Cleveland Indians from 1983 to 1985. Rick was part of one of the worst trades ever made by the Braves...
for Cleveland pitcher Len Barker
Len Barker
Leonard Harold Barker III , better known as Lenny Barker or Len Barker, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He pitched the tenth perfect game in baseball history. Barker pitched for the Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians , Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers...
.
Major league career
Jacoby had limited playing time in Atlanta in 1981 and 1983, only for a total of 15 games played. 1984 was his first full major league season; he finished the year with a .264 batting averageBatting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, 116 hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
, and seven home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s. All his statistics would improve in 1985; batting average to .274, 166 hits, 20 home runs, and a career high 87 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
.
1986 was a landmark year for Jacoby, as he earned his first All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
appearance. While his statistics only improved slightly over 1985 (his average went up to .288 and 168 hits, with fewer home runs and RBI - and more strike outs).
In 1987 Jacoby batted .300 and had a career high 32 home runs. In addition, he lowered his strike out number to only 73. Jacoby's best season was one of only a few bright spots for a Cleveland team that finished with a record of 61-101. The team had such a hard time scoring runs that Jacoby had only 69 RBI, despite his 32 home runs.
Jacoby went into a slump in 1988, where he hit .241 and his offensive production on all levels decreased. 1989 would show a small improvement over the prior year, as he raised his average to .272 and increased his offensive production. Jacoby once again showed improvement in 1990, as his average was .293 and also had his lowest number of strikeouts (58) and earned his second All-Star appearance.
In 1990, Jacoby and Dave Parker
Dave Parker
David Gene "The Cobra" Parker is an American former player in Major League Baseball. He was the 1978 National League MVP and a two-time batting champion. Parker was the first professional athlete to earn an average of one million dollars per year, having signed a 5-year, $5 million dollar contract...
were chosen for the 1990 All Star Game. While neither got much field time during the game, Jacoby and Parker formed a friendship that continues to this day. Jacoby and Parker meet once a year for a fishing trip in Wisconsin.
1991 would turn out to be Jacoby's last full season. He suffered from an elbow injury, and in the middle the year was traded to the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
for Lee Tinsley
Lee Tinsley
Lee Owen Tinsley is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Playing career:Lee had a 5-year Major League playing career that included stops with the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies...
. In total, he hit .224 with only 94 hits and four home runs.
It was not long before Jacoby came back to Cleveland. He became a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
after 1991, and signed with the Indians in 1992. Although he was signed to back-up starting third baseman Jim Thome
Jim Thome
James Howard "Jim" Thome is a Major League Baseball player for the Philadelphia Phillies. He is the eighth player to hit 600 home runs in the major leagues. He is widely considered a future Hall of Famer.-Cleveland Indians :...
, Thome broke his wrist and Jacoby took over the starting job. Sinking to career lows in hits, home runs, and RBIs, he was let go by the Indians at the end of the season.
External links
- Baseball Library - profile and chronology