Butch Wynegar

Position: Catcher
Bats: Both  •  Throws: Right
6-1, 190lb (185cm, 86kg)
Born: March 14, 1956  in York, PA
Draft: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 2nd round of the 1974 MLB June Amateur Draft from Red Lion HS (Red Lion, PA).
High School: Red Lion HS (Red Lion, PA)
Debut: April 9, 1976 (13,746th in major league history)
vs. TEX 4 AB, 1 H, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game: May 24, 1988
vs. NYY 2 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Full Name: Harold Delano Wynegar
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen

Notable Events and Chronology for Butch Wynegar Career

SearchSearch Events, Dates and More Date (Newest)Title (A - Z)

May 12, 1982

The twins trade their 3rd opening day starter in a month

June 25, 1985

Due to a bat boy being hit by Butch Wynegar’s line drive foul ball, Yankees officials enact a new rule mandating the team’s bat boys wear protective helmets during all games. All major league teams will soon adopt the new rule of having batboys wearing a protective helmet while working.

January 22, 1988

As a result of the Players Association’s 1985 collusion suit against the owners, arbitrator Thomas Roberts declares seven players no-risk free agents

Biography

Butch Wynegar

In his 13-year career (1976-1988), Butch had 1,102 hits, 626 BB (against only 428 strikeouts), .255 BA & .348 OBP. Wynegar was a 2X All-Star and finished runner-up (to Detroit Tigers pitcher Mark Fidrych) for the AL Rookie of the Year Award in 1976.

An outstanding defensive catcher, Wynegar was TSN AL Rookie of the Year in 1976 and represented the Twins at the All-Star Game his first two seasons, becoming the youngest player (to that point) to appear in the mid-summer game in 1976. A slow-footed switch-hitter, he had initial success after being traded to the Yankees, batting .295 for them in 1982-83 and catching Dave Righetti’s 1983 no hitter. He became a full-time starter in 1984. After an injury-riddled 1985, Wynegar succumbed to the high-pressure atmosphere and suffered from physical and mental fatigue in 1986. Various foot problems in 1987 caused more trouble.
Wynegar won the Appalachian League batting title (.346) in his first pro season (1974).

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