Steve Dillard
From SoSH
| Born: | Thursday Feb 08 1951 |
| Birthplace: | Memphis TN USA |
| Hometown: | Saltillo, Mississippi |
| Height: | 6 ' 1 |
| Weight: | 180 |
| Bats: | Right |
| Throws: | Right |
| Drafted: | 1972, 2nd round (Boston Red Sox) |
| College: | Mississippi |
| High School: | |
| Other Teams: | Detroit Tigers (1979) Chicago Cubs (1979–1981) Chicago White Sox (1982) |
| Years with Boston: | 1975-1978 |
Contents |
Overall Career
Dillard reached the majors in 1975 with the Boston Red Sox, spending three years with them before moving to the Detroit Tigers (1978), Chicago Cubs (1979-1981) and Chicago White Sox (1982). He was a wide-ranging, slick-fielding middle infielder who had quick hands and was above average at turning the double play, but the Red Sox thought they might be able to convert him from a utility player to a second baseman.
While in Boston, Dillard became a valuable backup for second baseman Denny Doyle, and eventually for shortstop Rick Burleson and third baseman Butch Hobson as well. When the Red Sox acquired second baseman Jerry Remy from the California Angels, Dillard was sent to Detroit in exchange for two minor league prospects. In Detroit, he provided solid support for young infielders Lou Whitaker (2B) and Alan Trammell (SS) for a full year. During the 1979 spring training he was moved by Detroit to the Chicago Cubs, spending three seasons with them. His most productive season came in his first year at Chicago, when he hit a career-high .283 batting average with five home runs and 31 runs in 89 games played. The following season he posted career-numbers in games (100), hits (55), doubles and RBI (27).
During the baseball strike in 1981, Dillard's average dropped to .218 in more limited action, though he still amassed 26 hits in 119 at-bats just in 53 games. He also appeared in 16 games with the Chicago White Sox in 1982, his last major league season.
In an eight-season career, Dillard was a .243 hitter (246-for-1013) with 13 home runs and 102 RBI in 438 games, including 148 runs, 50 doubles, six triples, and 15 stolen bases.
Managerial Career
Following his playing retirement, Dillard started a managing career in the Chicago White Sox minor league system, spending six years at their Gulf Coast League (1983-84, 1986-87), Southern League (1985), and Midwest League (1988) affiliates. He later worked with the Houston Astros for six years (1989-1994) — two as an infield instructor (1989-90) and four as a minor league manager (1991-94). He managed the 1995 season with the Cubs farm team in Rockford, Illinois.
In 2008, Dillard was manager of the Quad Cities River Bandits of the Midwest League. The River Bandits are the Class A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals.
Dillard's Moments in the Sun
Trivia
Transactions
June 4, 1970: Drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 13th round of the 1970 amateur draft, but did not sign.
June 6, 1972: Drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2nd round of the 1972 amateur draft. Player signed June 30, 1972.
January 30, 1978: Traded by the Boston Red Sox to the Detroit Tigers for Frank Harris (minors), Michael Burns (minors), and cash.
March 20, 1979: Traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. The Chicago Cubs sent Ed Putman (March 24, 1979) to the Detroit Tigers to complete the trade.
December 17, 1981: Released by the Chicago Cubs.
February 13, 1982: Signed as a Free Agent with the Chicago White Sox.
October 8, 1982: Released by the Chicago White Sox.
External Links
- Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis
