Carney Lansford Stats & Facts
Carney Lansford
Positions: Third Baseman and First Baseman
Bats: Right • Throws: Right
6-2, 195lb (188cm, 88kg)
Born: February 7, 1957 in San Jose, CA
Draft: Drafted by the California Angels in the 3rd round of the 1975 MLB June Amateur Draft from Wilcox HS (Santa Clara, CA).
High School: Wilcox HS (Santa Clara, CA)
Debut: April 8, 1978 (14,018th in major league history)
vs. OAK 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Last Game: October 4, 1992
vs. MIL 1 AB, 0 H, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 0 SB
Full Name: Carney Ray Lansford
Relatives: Brother of Joe Lansford
Nine Players Who Debuted in 1978
Paul Molitor
Ozzie Smith
Carney Lansford
Pedro Guerrero
Danny Darwin
Mike Morgan
Dave Stewart
Terry Kennedy
Ron Oester
Notable Events and Chronology for Carney Lansford Career
Biography
An often-overlooked outstanding natural hitter, Lansford was the Angels Rookie of the Year in 1978, third in the overall AL vote. Traded to Boston in December 1980,
Just 24 years old, in 1981 Lansford became the first righthanded hitter since 1970 to lead the AL in hitting (.336). But it was his new home field – Fenway Park – that was his biggest ally that season. He hit a blistering .363 at home for the Red Sox in the strike-shortened season.
He went to Oakland in December 1982 in a deal for Tony Armas. A superb fielder despite a lack of range, Carney appeared headed to first base until the emergence of Mark McGwire. Slowed by wrist and ankle injuries in 1983 and a broken right wrist in 1985, the streaky Lansford was healthy over the next four years and was usually the leadoff or number-two hitter. He stole a career-high 29 bases in 1988 and was second in the AL with a .336 batting average as Oakland won AL pennants both years. A quietly intense player, Lansford became recognized as a team leader on Athletics. During his decade with the A’s they went to three world series and won the 1989 Series. Lansford hit .305 overall in 33 playoff games, but excelled in 1989, hitting 455 in the ALCS vs Toronto and 438 in the Series against the Giants.
Carney’s younger brother Jody Lansford played 25 games for the Padres in 1982-83.
Factoids, Quotes, Milestones and Odd Facts
Played For
California Angels (1978-1980)
Boston Red Sox (1981-1982)
Oakland Athletics (1983-1992)
Best Season, 1981
He wasn’t really a complete player yet, but he had a very good offensive season. Like Bill Mueller after him, Lansford took advantage of Fenway Park to add a lot of points to his batting average.
Post-Season Appearances
1979 American League Championship Series
1988 American League Championship Series
1988 World Series
1989 American League Championship Series
1989 World Series
1990 American League Championship Series
1990 World Series
1992 American League Championship Series
Hitting Streaks
24 games (1984)
24 games (1984)
Best Strength as a Player
Lansford was a professional and a team player. With the Angels early in his career, Lansford learned how to play the hot corner because that team needed that position filled. With Boston, Lansford it the ball all over the field and utilized his environment to become a batting champion. In Oakland, he matured and improved his defensive play. He also adjusted his offensive approach in cavernous Oakland Coliseum and pulled the ball a little more to put up some more power. When his team needed him to steal bases he did (he pilfered 37 in 1989 at the age of 32), and he walked nearly as much as he struck out as he grew older.
Largest Weakness as a Player
He didn’t have glaring weaknesses.
Other Resources & Links
View Player Info from the B-R Bullpen
View Player Bio from the SABR BioProject