October 29 – Happy Birthday Jesse Barfield

Born in Joliet, IL on October 29. 1959, Jesse Barfield came to New York from Toronto in exchange for Yankee pitching prospect, Al Leiter, during the 1989 season. Jesse had some great years as a Blue Jay, winning two Gold Gloves and capturing the 1986 AL home run title with a career-high 40. He also had one of baseball’s best throwing arms.

The Yankee team he joined in ’89 had little power from the right side and Jesse provided some, hitting 17 home runs that first year and then 25 more during his first full season in pinstripes. Since he walked a lot also, the Yankees lived with his propensity to strike out a lot and his sub-.250 batting average but when that average slipped to .225 in 1991, Barfield’s days in the Bronx were numbered. He was released by New York in November of 1992 and retired from baseball after a twelve year career that included 241 big league home runs.

During his playing days, Jesse gained a degree of fame by designing furniture. Many of the Jesse’s creations sit in the homes of his ex-teammates. After retiring, Jesse became a hitting instructor, serving in that capacity for both the Astros and Mariners. His sons Jesse and Josh both played Minor League ball.

Jesse shares his October 29th birthday with this former Yankee outfielder and this former Yankee shortstop.