MLB: Top 30 leadoff hitters of all-time
Sometimes great leadoff hitters have to grow into the role. After parts of two seasons in the big leagues in 1985 and 1986, Devon White hit all over the lineup for the California Angels as the team’s everyday centerfielder from 1987 to 1990. White was an All-Star in 1988 and won Gold Gloves in ’88 and ’89, but didn’t become a bona fide star until he was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays prior to the 1991 season.
The switch-hitter was inserted into the top spot of the order for the Blue Jays on Opening Day and never looked back. White led off in all 156 games he played in ’91 and hit .282/.342/.455 with 40 doubles, 10 triples, 17 home runs and 60 RBI and stole 33 bases in 43 attempts.
In five seasons with the Blue Jays, White led off more than 95% of the time, posted a .270/.327/.432 slash, scored 452 runs and stole 126 bases in what was the most consistent offensive stretch of his career. Always a terrific defender, White also won a Gold Glove in each of his five seasons with Toronto.
With White leading the charge at the top of the order, the Blue Jays made it to the postseason in 1991 and won back-to-back World Series titles in ‘92 and ‘93. He signed with the Florida Marlins as a free agent in 1996 and won a third World Series ring in ’97. White was an All-Star with Arizona in 1998, spent two seasons with the Dodgers and finished his career with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2001.
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