Considered a below-average outfielder with the Reds, McRae developed as a consistent designated hitter in the American League. His playing career spanned 23 years, including 14 seasons with Kansas City. Selected a three-time All-Star, he hit over .300 six times for the Royals and was named Designated Hitter of the Year three times both by The Sporting News and Associated Press.

In 19-year MLB career, McRae compiled a .290 batting average (2091-for-7218) with 191 home runs, 1097 RBI, 484 doubles, 65 triples, and 109 stolen bases in 2084 games played. He added a .351 on base percentage and a .454 slugging average for a combined .805 OPS. After retiring, he managed the Kansas City Royals (1991-94) and Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2001-02), and served as a hitting coach for the Reds and Phillies as well. McRae is currently the hitting coach of the St. Louis Cardinals.

McRae was involved in an infamous incident in which he lost his temper with reporters and trashed his entire office, throwing things off of his desk and yelling profanities at reporters. It was recently voted the biggest pro-athlete blow up on The Best Damn Sports Show Period.

Highlights

3-time All-Star (1975-76, 1982) 3-time TSN and AP DH Award (1976, 1980, 1982) Silver Slugger Award (1982) Led league in on base percentage (.407, 1976) Led league in OPS (.868, 1976) Led league in games played (162, 1977) Led league in doubles (54, 1977) Led league in extra-base hits (86, 1977) Led league in hit by pitch (13, 1977) Led league and set a Royals record in RBI (133, 1982) Tied a MLB record with six extra-base hits in a game (five doubles and a home run, August 27, 1974) See also