Books and articles about Tony Phillips

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Phillips played regularly at both second base and shortstop for the A's in 1983-84, leading the club in games each year, but has been plagued by a series of freak injuries that have kept him a part-time player ever since. Originally signed by the Expos, Phillips was traded to the Padres organization for Willie Montanez in 1980, then traded to the A's in 1981. He began the 1983 season as Oakland's starting shortstop, then moved to second when Donnie Hill arrived in mid-season, only to move back the following year when Hill went down with an injury. In 1985 Phillips broke his foot twice before the season started and did not play until August, and in 1987 he had his wrist broken by a Mark McGwire line drive in batting practice. In between, he became the first Oakland A's player to hit for the cycle on May 16, 1986 at Baltimore, and on July 6, 1986 he tied the ML record with 12 assists in a nine-inning game at second base. In 1988 Phillips was a utility player for the AL champion A's, playing most often at third base and in the outfield. (SCL)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » May 16, 1986: A's infielder Tony Phillips (5-for-5) hits for the cycle and drives in four runs as Oakland beats Baltimore 8–4. » July 6, 1986: In the A's 6–3 win over Milwaukee, Tony Phillips of the A's, ties the ML mark with 12 assists at 2B. It'll be matched again next month. » April 10, 1991: Scott Sanderson hurls eight no-hit innings against the Tigers in his first appearance as a Yankee. He surrenders a wind-blown double to Tony Phillips on his first pitch of the 9th, and is replaced by Greg Cadaret, who finishes the 1-hitter for a 4-0 NY victory. » July 21, 1993: In Minnesota's 7–2 win over Detroit, Tony Phillips goes 0–4 with two strikeouts against two Minnesota Twins pitchers —- Kevin Tapani and Carl Willis. It is his only game without a hit, walk or hit batsmen in a string of 101 games. » April 13, 1995: The Tigers trade OF Tony Phillips to the Angels for OF Chad Curtis. » June 14, 1995: Minnesota defeats California by a score of 8-5, despite five hits, including two doubles, by Angels' 3B Tony Phillips. » January 20, 1996: The White Sox sign free agent OF Tony Phillips to a 2-year contract and tomorrow pick up OF Danny Tartabull from the Athletics. The A's get P Andrew Lorraine and OF Charlie Poe in exchange. » May 16, 1996: As Tony Phillips says, "It's not been a good 24 hours." The Sox' OF is picked off base in the 9th inning of Chicago's 3–2 loss to Milwaukee, then returns to the clubhouse to learn that battery charges have been pressed against him by a fan. Phillips and the fan got into a shoving match after the outfielder left yesterday's game in the 7th inning, changed into street clothes and sought the fan. Phillips contends the fan was yelling racial slurs during the game. Both Phillips and the fan will eventually be charged with disorderly conduct and fined. » May 18, 1997: The Angels trade P Chuck McElroy and C Jorge Fabregas to the White Sox in exchange for C Chad Kreuter and OF Tony Phillips. » August 10, 1997: Angels' IF-OF Tony Phillips is arrested after allegedly buying a small quantity of freebase cocaine at a motel in Anaheim. » November 4, 1997: Former Angels IF-OF Tony Phillips pleads guilty to misdemeanor cocaine possession and is ordered into a drug diversion program. Phillips was arrested on August 10th. » July 31, 1998: In a flurry of transactions at the trading deadline, many involving free agents-to-be, the Mets trade OF Bernard Gilkey, P Nelson Figueroa and cash to the Diamondbacks in exchange for P Willie Blair, C Jorge Fabregas and a player to be named. New York then obtains IF–OF Tony Phillips from the Blue Jays for P Leoncio Estrella, and sends the Brewers P Bill Pulsipher for IF Mike Kinkade. » December 11, 1998: The Athletics sign the much-traveled free agent IF-OF Tony Phillips. » April 25, 1999: The A's Tony Phillips celebrates his 40th birthday by hitting a game-winning home run to beat the Baltimore Orioles, 11–10. Phillips becomes just the fifth major-leaguer to crank one out on his 40th or later birthday: the last two were Darrell Evans and Wade Boggs, in 1988. The big-leaguer who hit the most birthday blasts over his career was Al Simmons with five.