The Nationals reported that former major league outfielder Fred Valentine had passed away.
Age-wise, he was 87.
Valentine, who was raised in Mississippi, studied at Tennessee State University. In 1956, he made his professional debut for the Orioles organization.
He played 12 games for Baltimore in his MLB debut three years later. Before briefly playing in the major leagues again in 1963, the switch-hitter spent a few more seasons in Triple-A.
The O’s sold his contract to the Washington Senators after the 1963 season. Before making a breakthrough performance in 1966, Valentine spent his first several years with Washington in a supporting role.
He stole 22 bases, hit 16 home runs, and made 578 plate appearances that season, batting.276/.351/.455. Valentine received considerable MVP support late in the game, which turned out to be a career-best performance. The season after, he hit around average numbers, hitting.234/.330/.346 in a year when the league average was.242/.306/.357.
Valentine was returned to the Orioles by Washington midway through the 1968 campaign in exchange for pitcher Bruce Howard. In that year, Valentine played 84 games between the two clubs to cap off his MLB career. Prior to capping off his playing career with a year with the Hanshin Tigers in Japan, he played the 1969 season back at Triple-A.
In total, Valentine made brief appearances across seven MLB seasons. Through 533 games, he hit.247/.330/.373, hit 36 home runs and stole 47 bases. Valentine scored 180 runs while driving in 138. He contributed to the establishment of the MLB Players Alumni Association in 1982 after his playing days were over.
Fred Valentine’s children: Who are his 3 kids?
With 60 years of marriage to Helena, his wife, and their three children, Valentine continued to value commitment. His three children’s true identities are still a mystery. As we learn more about this amazing man, our research team will update you.
