Mike Vail
Encyclopedia
Michael Lewis Vail is a former Major League Baseball
outfielder
. He played from 1975-1984.
Vail was original drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the amateur draft, but did not sign. A year later, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals
. On December 11, , he was traded with Jack Heidemann
to the New York Mets for Ted Martinez
.
His first season in the Mets' organization, Vail won the 1975 International League
Player of the Year award. He was called up to the majors by the New York Mets in August 1975 and got a hit in his first at bat against the Houston Astros
. From there, he proceeded to set a modern Major League rookie record 23 game hit streak, which at the time was also the longest hitting streak in Mets' franchise history (both records have since been broken).
In the off-season, Vail was anointed the Mets' "player of the future," which prompted the Mets to trade star right fielder Rusty Staub
to the Detroit Tigers
to make room for Vail in their outfield.
Unfortunately, Vail dislocated his foot playing basketball
in the off-season, and hit only .217 for the 1976 season. Though his average rose to .262 the following season, he was selected off waivers by the Cleveland Indians during Spring training
. Staub, meanwhile, had three seasons hitting over 100 RBIs for Detroit.
Though he never lived up to his expectations, Vail still managed a respectable ten year career that saw him hit .279 in 665 games.
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...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
. He played from 1975-1984.
Vail was original drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the amateur draft, but did not sign. A year later, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
. On December 11, , he was traded with Jack Heidemann
Jack Heidemann
Jack Seale Heidemann is a former right-handed Major League Baseball shortstop who played from to with the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and Milwaukee Brewers. He attended Brenham High School. He is also the uncle of Brett Bordes, a minor league pitcher in the Baltimore...
to the New York Mets for Ted Martinez
Ted Martínez
Teodoro Noel Martínez Encarnación is a former professional baseball infielder. He played all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball, mostly as a shortstop and second baseman, for the New York Mets , St...
.
His first season in the Mets' organization, Vail won the 1975 International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
Player of the Year award. He was called up to the majors by the New York Mets in August 1975 and got a hit in his first at bat against the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. From there, he proceeded to set a modern Major League rookie record 23 game hit streak, which at the time was also the longest hitting streak in Mets' franchise history (both records have since been broken).
In the off-season, Vail was anointed the Mets' "player of the future," which prompted the Mets to trade star right fielder Rusty Staub
Rusty Staub
Daniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
to the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
to make room for Vail in their outfield.
Unfortunately, Vail dislocated his foot playing basketball
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
in the off-season, and hit only .217 for the 1976 season. Though his average rose to .262 the following season, he was selected off waivers by the Cleveland Indians during Spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
. Staub, meanwhile, had three seasons hitting over 100 RBIs for Detroit.
Though he never lived up to his expectations, Vail still managed a respectable ten year career that saw him hit .279 in 665 games.