1976 Topps #438 - Doug DeCinces

• Doug DeCinces had the not-so-enviable task of replacing the legendary Brooks Robinson at third base for the Baltimore Orioles. DeCinces was drafted by the Orioles in 1970. Doug had plenty of time to develop in the minors. He had short stints with the Orioles in 1973 (.111 in 18 AB) and in 1974 (.000 in 1 AB).

• DeCinces came to the majors to stay in 1975. He was used as a utility infielder in ’75 and batted .251 in 167 at bats. Doug was a utility guy again at the beginning of the 1976 season and took over at third base in the middle of the year. He batted .234 with 11 HR in 129 games.

• Doug batted .259 with 19 homers in 150 games in 1977. He had his best year for the Orioles in 1978, batting .286 with 28 HR and 80 RBI in 142 games. Doug DeCinces: No Longer in Brooks Robinson’s Shadow – December 1978 Baseball Digest.

• DeCinces got to the playoffs with Baltimore in 1979. He batted .230 with 16 HR and 60 RBI during the regular season. He batted .308 during the ALCS and .200 during the World Series. Doug DeCinces – The Game I’ll Never Forget – September 1987 Baseball Digest.

• Doug spent two more seasons with the Orioles. He batted .249 with 16 HR and 64 RBI in 1980 and .263 with 13 HR and 55 RBI in 1981. After the 1981 season the Orioles needed to make room for Cal Ripken Jr. DeCinces was traded to the California Angels with Jeff Schneider for Dan Ford.

• DeCinces had his best season as a major leaguer in 1982. He finished 3rd in MVP voting and won the AL Silver Slugger award at third base. Doug batted .301 with 30 HR and 97 RBI for the Angels in 1982. He batted .316 in the ALCS.

• Doug made the AL All Star team in 1983 (he was 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter) and batted .281 with 18 HR and 65 RBI in 95 games. Doug was injured and missed two months of the 1983 season (late June-late August).

• In 1984 DeCinces batted .269 with 20 HR and 82 RBI. He batted .244 with 20 HR and 78 RBI in 1985. Doug finished 11th in MVP voting in 1986 as he batted .256 with 26 HR and 96 RBI and helped the Angels to the AL West title. He batted .281 in the 1986 ALCS.

• Doug’s last major league season was 1987. He batted .234 with 16 HR and 64 RBI for the Angels. DeCinces was released by the Angels in late September and signed with the St. Louis Cardinals. He batted .222 (2 for 9) with the Cardinals in four games and retired after the season. Doug played one season (1988) in Japan.

• After his playing career Doug became an agent and helped the California Angels land Troy Glaus in 1997. DeCinces is now a successful businessman in southern California. He owns DeCinces Properties (a real estate development firm) and manages several other industrial parks and restaurants in the area. He is also active with Orangewood Children’s Foundation.

• Liked to face: Jerry Augustine (.486 in 37 AB); Mike Moore (.452 with 6 HR in 42 AB); Mike Flanagan (.444 in 27 AB)

• Hated to face: Dave J. Schmidt (.000 in 14 AB); Don Aase (.050 in 20 AB); Dave Stewart (.074 in 27 AB)