Bob Zupcic
Bob Zupcic | |
---|---|
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 7, 1991, for the Boston Red Sox | |
Last MLB appearance | |
August 4, 1994, for the Chicago White Sox | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .250 |
Home runs | 7 |
Runs batted in | 80 |
Teams | |
Robert Zupcic (born August 18, 1966) is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played four seasons in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox (1991–94) and Chicago White Sox (1994). He batted and threw right-handed.
In his career, Zupcic posted a .250
Career
Pre-professional
Zupcic attended Bishop Egan (now
]Major League Baseball
The Boston Red Sox selected Zupcic in the first round of the
In 1991, Zupcic was a late season callup for the Red Sox. He made his major league debut at Fenway Park on September 7, 1991, as a pinch runner and defensive replacement in a win against the Seattle Mariners. Two weeks later, he hit his first home run, against the New York Yankees. Zupcic wore #16 during this stint.[3]
In 1992, under new Red Sox manager Butch Hobson, Zupcic made the team in spring training. For the rest of his Boston career he would wear #28. Injuries to starting outfielders Burks, Mike Greenwell, and other key players resulted in the Red Sox finishing in last place in the AL East. However, it did give Zupcic the opportunity to start regularly. He made the most of the chance, hitting .276, and started at all three outfield positions, collecting 11 outfield assists in 124 games.
Zupcic's defensive abilities caught the attention of longtime
In 1993, Zupcic continued to make starts at all the outfield spots. However, he proved not to be an offensive threat, and Zupcic shared playing time with a number of other players. He finished the year at .241 with only two home runs and 26 RBI.
The next season, Zupcic could not find a spot on the team. After making just four appearances in the first month, Zupcic was placed on waivers by the Red Sox. The Chicago White Sox claimed him on May 5, 1994. Zupcic made his White Sox debut on May 14 with a pinch-hit RBI single against the Texas Rangers. Over the next couple of months, Zupcic made occasional outfield starts in place of regulars Tim Raines and Darrin Jackson. He also made his first major league appearances at first base and third base. He wore #43 that season.[5]
Zupcic played his final game on August 4, 1994, and the Major League Baseball strike resulted in the cancellation of the remainder of the season, the playoffs, and World Series.
Later years
In 1995, Zupcic was released by the White Sox. He started the 1995 season playing with the Independent
After a brief stint in the Mexican League with the Broncos de Reynosa, Zupcic moved to the independent Northeast League in 1997, playing for and coaching the Bangor Blue Ox. Zupcic played in only 25 of the team's 83 games, batting .195 and hitting three home runs. He retired after suffering a back injury.
Personal
Zupcic is married with four children and lives in North Carolina.[citation needed] He is currently working as a General Manager of a wholesale car dealership in Fort Mill, South Carolina.[1]
In 1993, he described himself as a
References
- ^ Bob Zupcic -- fenwayfanatics.com
- ^ Murphy, Mark (19 September 1991). "Zupcic followed heart to Fenway". The Daily Item. p. 27. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ Red Sox All-Time Uniform Numbers – RedSoxDiehard.com
- ^ These pages are keepsakes – The Boston Globe
- ^ WSI's FlyingSock.com News System
- ^ "City of Faiths". The Boston Globe. 15 August 1993. p. 18. Retrieved 18 November 2022.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors)
- Bob Zupcic at SoSH Wiki
- phillyBurbs.com: Where are they now?