 | Fred McGriff, also known as “Crime Dog,” was a Hall of Fame MLB First Baseman who played from 1986–2004. He showcased his incredible power across six different teams, including the Blue Jays (1986–1990), Padres (1991–1993), Braves (1993–1997), Devil Rays (1998–2001, 2004), Cubs (2001–2002), and Dodgers (2003). McGriff was a model of consistency, becoming the first player in major league history to hit 30 or more home runs for five different franchises. McGriff finished his storied career with 2,490 hits, 493 home runs, and 1,550 RBI. He was a key member of the 1995 World Series champion Atlanta Braves and led his league in home runs twice (AL in 1989, NL in 1992). Known for his smooth left-handed swing and iconic “Tom Emanski” commercial appearances, he was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2023. Career highlights and awards 5× All-Star (1992, 1994–1996, 2000) World Series champion (1995) 3× Silver Slugger Award (1989, 1992, 1993) 2× Home run leader (1989, 1992) All-Star Game MVP (1994) National Baseball Hall of Fame (2023) I became a fan of the Crime Dog during his short stint with San Diego, with McGriff becoming my brother’s favorite player during that timeframe. |
