Andy Allanson

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Andrew Neal Allanson (born December 22, 1961) is an American former professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for eight seasons, from 1986 to 1995. Andy was signed as a second-round pick in the 1983 amateur draft, by the Cleveland Indians and scout Bobby Malkmus.

Amateur career

Allanson attended the University of Richmond. In 1982 he played collegiate summer baseball with the Harwich Mariners of the Cape Cod Baseball League and was named a league all-star.^[1][2]

Professional career

Allanson would break into the Major Leagues on April 7, 1986, starting Opening Day behind the plate for the Indians. He went 3–4 with one run batted in, helping the Indians defeat the Baltimore Orioles 6–4. A lithe, take-charge catcher,^{[citation needed]} Allanson's handling of the 1986 Cleveland pitching staff was in part responsible for the Indians resurgent, 84–78 mark. He was named the Topps All-Rookie catcher. Despite his size (6'5", 220 lbs), Allanson did not hit a home run until his 1,025th pro at-bat, in the Kingdome that June 23. The Indians, feeling they were perhaps a better-hitting, veteran catcher away from contention, signed Rick Dempsey for 1987, demoting Allanson. Cleveland finished last (61–101), and Allanson was again the starting catcher in 1988.

The acquisition of Joel Skinner before the 1989 season again cut into Allanson's playing time, and when the team traded for Sandy Alomar Jr. in December 1989, it was clear Allanson's starting days were over. He was released the following spring, and was picked up by the Texas Rangers a few days later. Allanson was released in May, and did not play for any other club that year.

He was picked up by the

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs