Rodney Cline "Rod" Carew (born October 1, 1945) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman, second baseman and coach of Panamanian descent. He played from 1967 to 1985 for the Minnesota Twins and the California Angels and was elected to the All-Star game every season except his last. While Carew was never a home run threat (only 92 of his 3,053 hits were home runs), he made a career out of being a consistent contact hitter. He threw right-handed and batted left-handed. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame. Carew served as an MLB coach for several years after retiring as a player.
Rhonda Carew (m. 2001), Marilynn Levy (m. 1970–2000)
Children
Michelle Carew, Devon Carew, Cheyenne Carew
Parents
Eric Carew, Olga Teoma
Siblings
Dickie Carew
Awards
American League Most Valuable Player Award
Star Sign
Libra
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Quote
1
Your first hit in the majors - that's tops. It means you're on your way. When you get the first hit, then you can get the rest.
2
There is a special sensation in getting good wood on the ball and driving a double down the left-field line as the crowd in the ballpark rises to its feet and cheers. But, I also remember how much fun I had as a skinny barefoot kid hitting a tennis ball with a broomstick on a quiet, dusty street in Panama.
3
I get a kick out of watching a team defense me. A player moves two steps in one direction and I hit it two steps the other way. It goes right by his glove and I laugh.
4
Hitting is an art, but not an exact science.
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Fact
1
Born on a train, he was named for the doctor who delivered him.
2
The youngest of Carew's three daughters from his first marriage, Michelle, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia in September 1995. Because of her heritage (Carew is West Indian and Panamanian; his ex-wife is Russian-Jewish), a matching donor could not be found. Michelle died on April 17, 1996, age 18, 6 weeks after an umbilical cord blood transplant was performed in an attempt to save her life.
3
Inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991 with 90.5% of votes.
4
Suffered a massive heart attack while on a California golf course. Carew recovered sufficiently to take part in the Twins' spring training as an instructor and coach. He told reporters that he will eventually need a heart transplant. [February 2016].
5
Induced into the Marine Corps Sports Hall of Fame in 2002.
6
Played for the American League's Minnesota Twins (1967-1978) and California Angels (1979-1985).
7
Hitting coach with the California/Anaheim Angels (1992-2000[start]) and Milwaukee Brewers (2000[end]-2001).
8
Made major league debut on 11 April 1967.
9
Won seven batting titles (leading league in batting average).
10
In his 1977 MVP year with the Minnesota Twins, he led the majors in batting average (.388), runs scored (128), hits (239), singles (171), triples (16), on-base percentage (.449), and intentional walks (15). He also posted career highs in doubles (38), home runs (14), and runs batted in (100).
11
He and Ty Cobb are tied for the major-league record for most steals of home plate in a season with seven.
12
Minnesota Twins All-Time Batting Average Leader (.334).
13
Minnesota Twins All-Time On Base Percentage Leader (.393).
14
Anaheim Angels Career On-Base Percentage Leader (.393).
15
Anaheim Angels Career Leader in Batting Average (.314).
16
Played second base until 1976 (where he switched to first).
17
Played in 18 All-Star games.
18
Rookie of the Year (1967) and American League MVP (1977).
19
Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991.
Miscellaneous
Title
Year
Status
Character
Babe Ruth
1991
TV Movie baseball consultant
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
2016 MLB All-Star Game
2016
TV Special
Himself
2014 MLB All-Star Game
2014
TV Special
Himself - Ceremonial First Pitch Honoree
Mike & Mike
2011
TV Series
Himself - Guest
Prime 9
2010-2011
TV Series
Himself
2010 MLB All-Star Game
2010
TV Special
Himself - Ceremonial First Pitch Honoree
2008 MLB All-Star Game
2008
TV Special
Himself - Pre-Game Hall of Fame Ceremony
George Lopez
2002
TV Series
Himself
ESPN SportsCentury
2000
TV Series documentary
Himself
Sunday Night Baseball
1992-2000
TV Series
Himself - California Angels Hitting Coach / Himself - Milwaukee Brewers Hitting Coach
1991 MLB All-Star Game
1991
TV Special
Himself - AL Honorary Captain
1984 MLB All-Star Game
1984
TV Special
Himself - AL First Baseman
1983 MLB All-Star Game
1983
TV Special
Himself - AL First Baseman
1982 American League Championship Series
1982
TV Series
Himself - California Angels First Baseman
1981 MLB All-Star Game
1981
TV Special
Himself - AL First Baseman
1980 MLB All-Star Game
1980
TV Special
Himself - AL First Baseman
1979 American League Championship Series
1979
TV Mini-Series
Himself - California Angels First Baseman
1978 MLB All-Star Game
1978
TV Special
Himself - AL First Baseman
1977 MLB All-Star Game
1977
TV Special
Himself - AL First Baseman
1976 MLB All-Star Game
1976
TV Special
Himself - AL First Baseman
1975 MLB All-Star Game
1975
TV Special
Himself - AL Second Baseman
1974 MLB All-Star Game
1974
TV Special
Himself - AL Second Baseman
1973 MLB All-Star Game
1973
TV Special
Himself - AL Second Baseman
1972 MLB All-Star Game
1972
TV Special
Himself - AL Second Baseman
1971 MLB All-Star Game
1971
TV Special
Himself - AL Second Baseman
1970 American League Championship Series
1970
TV Mini-Series
Himself - Minnesota Twins Pinch Hitter
1970 MLB All-Star Game
1970
TV Special
Himself - AL Second Baseman
1969 American League Championship Series
1969
TV Mini-Series
Himself - Minnesota Twins Second Baseman
1969 MLB All-Star Game
1969
TV Special
Himself - AL Second Baseman
1968 MLB All-Star Game
1968
TV Special
Himself - AL Second Baseman
1967 MLB All-Star Game
1967
TV Special
Himself - AL Second Baseman
Archive Footage
Title
Year
Status
Character
Prime 9
2011
TV Series
Himself
DHL Presents Major League Baseball Hometown Heroes
2006
TV Mini-Series documentary
Himself
ESPN Outside the Lines Nightly
2006
TV Series
Himself - Baseball Player
Known for movies
2008 MLB All-Star Game (2008) as Himself - Pre-Game Hall of Fame Ceremony
1980 MLB All-Star Game (1980) as Himself - AL First Baseman
1984 MLB All-Star Game (1984) as Himself - AL First Baseman
1983 MLB All-Star Game (1983) as Himself - AL First Baseman
$13 Million