DeCinces had the impossible task of replacing Brooks Robinson at third base for the
Orioles. Actually, his talents were similar to Robinson's. Slow afoot, DeCinces gained
a reputation for good hands and as a clutch hitter. Battling back problems throughout
his career, he became expendable with the arrival of Cal Ripken, Jr., who started
his career at third base. Dealt to the Angels for 1982, DeCinces responded with his
best season, reaching career highs with 30 HR, 97 RBI, and a .301 average. He hit
.316 in the LCS and won regard as the AL's best all-around third baseman. He averaged
over 21 HR a season during his California career, which ended in late September of
1987 when he was traded to the Cardinals to make room for Jack Howell. DeCinces played
only four games for St. Louis, which won the NL pennant, and went to Japan after
being released following the season.
(ME)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 27, 1981: Angel 3B Doug DeCinces hits a pair of home runs for the 3rd time in six games to lead California to a 6–5 win over the Yankees. DeCinces also homered twice against Detroit on May 23rd and against the Yankees on May 25th. He had no homers this year prior to the streak.
»January 28, 1982: The Orioles trade 3B Doug DeCinces and minor league P Jeff Schneider to the Angels for OF Dan Ford.
»August 3, 1982:
At California, Doug DeCinces cracks homers in his first three at bats, but the Angels still lose to the Twins, 5–4.
»August 6, 1982:
Just five days after hitting three home runs in a 5–4 loss to the Twins, California's Doug DeCinces hits three more home runs in a 9–5 win at Seattle, joining Ted Williams as the only American League players ever to hit three home runs in a game twice in the same season.
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