On Saturday afternoon, the Toronto Blue Jays announced that Dave Winfield was given the 2024 Curt Flood Award. The award is “given to a former player who demonstrates devotion to the Major League Baseball Players Association and the advancement of Players’ rights.”
Congratulations to Dave Winfield – the 2024 Curt Flood Award Winner 🏆
The Curt Flood Award is given to a former player who demonstrates devotion to the @MLBPA and the advancement of Players’ rights. pic.twitter.com/nZUPnRrOFr
— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) October 26, 2024
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Winfield started his career with the San Diego Padres in 1973, spending eight seasons there. After the 1980 season, Winfield signed with the New York Yankees, signing a 10-year deal worth $23 million, which was at that point, the largest salary given to a baseball player. During the 1990 season, he was traded to the California Angels where he played for two seasons.
After the conclusion of the 1991 season, he signed with the Blue Jays for the 1992 season, slashing .290/.377/.491 with 26 home runs in 670 plate appearances. The then 40-year-old played in his second postseason that year, slashing .239/.327/.413 with two home runs in 54 plate appearances. As you may know, the 1992 Blue Jays won their first World Series in franchise history, largely thanks to his game-winning hit that lifted the Jays over the Atlanta Braves.
In 1993, Winfield signed with his hometown Minnesota Twins, spending two seasons there. His final season was in 1995 as a 43-year-old with the team in Cleveland. However, Winfield’s best days were long behind him, with his final All-Star calibre season being in 1992 with the Jays.
Over the course of his 22-year career, Winfield slashed .283/.353/.475 with 465 home runs in 12,358 plate appearances. He’s one of 33 players in league history with more than 3,000 hits and was elected into the Hall of Fame in 2001, his first year of eligibility.
Throughout his career and post-playing days, Winfield was active in his community with philanthropic work. This the “Winfield kids”, where he’d buy Padre tickets for families, as well as the Winfield Foundation. Now 73, Winfield serves as a special assistant to the executive director of the MLBPA, a role he’s served since late 2013.
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