The Cardinals announced this morning that former MLB outfielder and first baseman David Green has passed away. He was 61 years old.
One of the first Nicaraguan-born players to crack the big leagues, Green eventually played 489 games at baseball’s highest level between 1981 and 1987, primarily for the Cards. Originally signed by the Brewers, he was traded to St. Louis after the 1980 season. After a cup of coffee as a 20-year-old in 1981, Green got into 76 games in 1982, hitting .283/.315/.373. In nine postseason games that year, he hit .273/.333/.545, as the Cardinals eventually defeated Green’s former team, the Brewers, in the 1982 World Series.
Green would stay with the Cards through the next two seasons, before being dealt to the Giants prior to the 1985 campaign. After one year in San Fran, he was dealt back to Milwaukee but was released before appearing in a game with them. He then spent some time in Japan, playing with the Kintetsu Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball before rejoining the Cardinals for part of the 1987 campaign. That was his last taste of the majors, though he did later spent some time in the minors with the Braves and Rangers.
All told, Green hit a combined .268/.308/.394 across his 489 career big league games, with 31 home runs, 168 runs scored, 180 runs batted in and 68 stolen bases.
We at MLBTR extend our condolences to Green’s family, as well as his many friends and fans.
R.I.P. to a solid former Cardinal. I’ve noticed that there’s been more reports on recent passings even on those who may not be household names and I like that, I wouldn’t mind something like a weekly “In Memoriam” article.
Baseball America prints obits in every issue. They include minor league players, coaches, execs, etc.
Imagine being able to say that you were traded for Rollie Fingers and Ted Simmons in one trade, and then Jack Clark in another one.
RIP
Still remember the first trade and how many Cards fans were ready to burn down Whitey at the time. I mean, Simba was Mr. Cardinals at the time.
61 is too young. RIP David Green.
Agreed. RIP
Man, I’m feeling old. I remember watching him in a AAA game early in his career and thinking I was seeing a future star.
RIP.
Me too. I kind of remember having some of his rookie cards. It’s amazing that you can take a rookie card from the early ’80s, add 40 years, and somehow come to the conclusion that he is in his 60s. Ouch!
Yep thought he would be a stud after the 46 games he had in AAA where he hit ..345/.409/.575.
34 steals in 1983.
RIP
When I first saw surfacing of this on Twitter I was wondering if it was fake news, each passing day no real announcement made it feel like a hoax? Nope David Green really did die. Sad to read it was Covid 19 related. So many Cardinals greats, Cardinals legends keep dying.
If Willie gets blue, Whitey has Green.
It was actually reported numerous places that he passed from a heart attack, and had numerous heart ailments. Only 1 Latin newspaper stated about Covid.
May have had a bad heart from alcohol etc and was likely complications of Covid. Nonetheless,it’s ashame he passed away
Thanks Bill—I looked at many outlets and none of them said anything about Covid. All but one said heart attack—the last one said a respiratory issue stemming from a choking incident over a week ago.
I’m going by memory. When David Green came up, the Cards felt they could trade away Andy Van Slyke. The Cards thought Green had more potential. In retrospect, the Cards got away with a few poor trades in the 80s.
Actually, Van Slyke was traded two years after Green, so, might want to check that memory. And, getting Tony Pena back on the Slick trade, when Van Slyke was purely platooning at the time, was a good deal on paper, and even in hindsight, wasn’t horrible.
You’re right; I should’ve checked before I wrote this. There were so many “block buster” trades involving STL in those days.
Actually, the Cards felt they could trade Kieth Hernandez because of the “imminent emergence” of David Green and Andy Van Slyke who were platooning in RF at the time. Green had power and could run and those Cards could run in the 80s. Green didn’t meet the lofty expectations and was eventually shipped to SFG for Jack Clark.
It was the “imminent emergence” of Curt Ford that gave the Cards confidence to trade Andy VanSlyke.
Trading Andy Van Slyke, Mike LaValliere and Mike Dunne for Tony Peña was not a good trade at all. Why Whitey platooned VanSlyke is still a mystery.
Whitey Herzog, in his memoir “You’re Missing a Great Game”, says he traded Green away, despite his great talent, because he had a bad drinking problem.
Like he traded Kiefers cuz of the powder on his nose and mustache!
Such a shame RIP , sorry in advance for cross sporting but St Louis fans will remember “Doug Wickenheiser and the Monday night miracle” just watched a doc on his tragic life … which took me to another doc on Bill Goldsworthy and how alcohol ruined his life. Really sad what alcohol abuse can do.
The early 1970s Giants were ruined by alcohol and owner interference.
David Green was one of 24 players which were involved in trades by Whitey Herzog after becoming GM in that crazy 1980 whirlwind. He sure had the look like he was special. He had some tools. Rest in peace David.
RIP
RIP David.