Books and articles about Tom Brunansky

Chosen by his hometown California Angels in the first round of the June 1978 draft, Brunansky exhibited consistent, if unspectacular, power throughout his career. After a brief holdout while he considered attending Stanford University, Brunansky signed with the Angels after Richard Nixon, a close friend of team owner Gene Autry, helped negotiate a then-unheard-of $125,000 contract.

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Brunansky played just 11 games for the Angels in 1981 before being traded with pitcher Mike Walters to the Twins for Doug Corbett and Rob Wilfong in May 1982. He was the rightfielder on the 1982 All-Rookie team and set a club record with 15 game-winning RBI the following year. One of seven players with 20 or more homers each season from 1982 to 1987 and one of six to play 150 or more games each of those six years, Brunansky's power was hurt in the Metrodome, which favored left-handed pull hitters. He led all players in the 1987 ALCS in batting average, total bases, doubles, and RBI, and tied for the lead in runs, hits, and homers. He was also Minnesota's active home run leader, fourth overall, when traded to St. Louis for Tommy Herr in April, 1988.

Initially shocked by the trade, Brunansky -- who had been extremely popular with the fans in Minnesota -- quickly made himself at home in St. Louis, smacking seven homers and driving in 34 runs in his first six weeks with the club. After the all-star break, however, Brunansky slumped mightily, hitting below .200 for the rest of the season. Fed up with his lack of production, the Cards shipped Brunansky to the Red Sox in exchange for closer Lee Smith in May 1990. There Brunansky enjoyed two plus solid, but not spectacular, seasons before moving on to Milwaukee in 1992. He retired after the 1993 season, having spent much of the past two seasons riding the bench, first with the Brewers and then the Red Sox. (ME/MSA)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 11, 1982: The Twins trade ace reliever Doug Corbett and 2B Rob Wilfong to California for minor leaguers Tom Brunansky and Mike Walters and cash. » June 7, 1982: Consecutive home runs by Minnesota's Ron Washington, Tom Brunansky (off Keith Creel), and Kent Hrbek (off Dan Quisenberry) in the 8th help the Twins tie, but Kansas City wins in 10 innings, 5–4. » July 19, 1982: The Twins overcome two homers by Robin Yount to beat the Brewers, 6–4. Tom Brunansky hits his 2nd inside-the-park homer of the year (May 28 was the other), but this one is a grand slam off Jerry Augustine. The IP slam is a first in Twins history. » July 14, 1985: Walt Terrell and Hernandez combine on a one-hitter as the Tigers blank the Twins, 8–0. Tom Brunansky's double in the 7th is the only hit. Herndon and Evans hit back-to-back homers in the 4th. » June 6, 1987: Needing a replacement for the injured Don Mattingly, the Yankees reluctantly trade knuckleballer Joe Niekro to the Twins for C Mark Salas. Salas, not knowing that he's been traded, pinch hits a homer in the 9th to tie the game with the Rangers. He stays in, adds a single in the 11th, and the Twins win 3–2 in the 13th when Steve Lombardozzi's 2-out single scores Tom Brunansky from 1B. » April 22, 1988: The Cardinals trade veteran 2B Tom Herr to the Twins for OF Tom Brunansky. » May 4, 1990: The Red Sox trade reliever Lee Smith to the Cardinals for OF Tom Brunansky. » May 19, 1990: The Red Sox roll over the Twins at Fenway, winning 13–1, behind Roger Clemens. Tom Brunansky paces the 20 hit attack, going 5-for-5. » October 3, 1990: Boston beats Chicago 3–1 on the final day of the season to wrap up its 3rd American League East title in five seasons. Tom Brunansky ends the game with a spectacular sliding catch in the RF corner with the tying runs on base. » July 24, 1992: Minnesota P Scott Erickson hurls a 1–hit, 5-0 victory over the Red Sox in the 1st game of a DH. Tom Brunansky's single is the only hit. Roger Clemens takes the loss. Boston wins the nitecap, 5–4, scoring a run with one out in the 9th. » January 28, 1993: The Brewers sign free agent OF Tom Brunansky. » July 26, 1993: PH Tom Brunansky of the Brewers ends the Red Sox 10 game win streak with a 2-run, 2-out home run in the bottom of the 9th for a 3–2 win. The dinger comes off Jeff Russell in relief of Roger Clemens. » June 16, 1994: The Red Sox trade C Dave Valle to the Brewers in exchange for OF Tom Brunansky.