Dwight Evans

"Jeez. What a weird stance'' (overhead about 30 times a year at Fenway Park). It must be Dewww-eeee they're talking about. The knock-kneed batting stance got a little weirder this year--did you notice the way he was holding the bat? Kind of dipping the head of it back toward the ground? Evans puts a little style info everything he does -- from the wrist bands and hi-cut sox, to the way he takes a base-on-balls; rather than trot briskly to first base like Rose or Boggs, he drops the bat directly in front of the plate, Iike he is a little disappointed in the pitcher's stuff, and walks toward first with all the speed of a man on the way to his own hanging. Dwight Evans is a low-key hot dog.

This is a guy who stayed in the major Ieagues for about eight years on the strength of his fielding, and when he got to be about 30 years old, he learned how to hit. In July 1980, batting below .200, he sought the hitting instruction of Walt Hriniak, and underwent an incredible transformation. Since the strike year (81) he has become one of the top power hitters in the league. Averaging about 29 homers a year, quite a few more than his old comrades Lynn and Rice (double check on Rice, avg from -81-88 compared to Dewey-Rice was close) (who woulda thunk it?)

Evans has unusual stats: he'll get 100 RBIs, 100 runs. I00 walks, and 100 strikeouts in a season The AL player with the most similar profile, oddly enough, is Darrell Evans of Detroit. Both Evanses can be found almost anywhere in the batting order because of their multiple skills. They make a pitcher throw a lot of pitches, and theyıd better be good pitches, too---if the walks don't kill you. the home runs will.

Dwight Michael Evans was born November 3, 1951 in Santa Monica. He spent most of his early childhood in Hawaii. Was a pitcher up through Connie Mack League, then a 3B at Chatsworth, California, High School, where he was also a flanker in football. Tall and lean, a great natural athlete with an outstanding throwing arm.

Scouted by Jerry Stephenson, he was Red Sox draft pick number five in 1969. His progress through the minors (as a right fielder) was rapid, culminating in his selection as International League MVP in 1972. Evans was a highly touted rookie, but was disappointing and unsure of himself at the plate throughout his early career.

In the field, ''Dewey" was superb, first gaining national attention with an amazing catch off Joe Morgan in Game 6 of the 1975 World Series. He won eight Gold Gloves between 1976 and 1985.