Andy Van Slyke burst onto the big-league scene in 1983 with St. Louis, after the Cardinals had traded Keith Hernandez to the Mets. Known mainly as an outfielder, he play both first and third his first few years in the majors.
At the plate Andy seemed to remind many Cardinal fans of Hernandez. Although he didn't hit for the same average, you got the feeling that he would someday. During his time in St Louis he would rarely start against left-handed pitching. Andy platooned with Tito Landrum in right field his last two years in St Louis, which limited his production.
Van Slyke was traded to Pittsburgh before the 1987 season, where he would play the majority of his career. He would have his best years in 1987, 1988, and 1992, the only three years of his career in which he would get over 500 at-bats in a season. While Andy had a very solid career, when it started many would have predicted more. Injuries would play a large role in that outcome.
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Posted June 25, 2001.
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