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Sunday, July 27, 2014

Dwight Taylor, Good Jump - 51

Dwight Taylor explained his base stealing technique to The Bangor Daily News in September 1984.

Taylor's methods ended up getting him 46 stolen bases that year at AAA Maine, after stealing 95 the previous year at AA Buffalo.

"There isn't one special thing that I look for each time," Taylor told The Daily News. "But the whole key is getting a good jump. If you don't get a good jump, you shouldn't go."

Taylor went on to play in a total of 13 professional seasons, stealing a total of 437 bases. He spent parts of 10 of those seasons at AAA. He made the majors in just one of those seasons, for four games. He never stole a base in the majors.

Taylor's career began in 1981, taken by the Indians in the seventh inning of the draft out of the University of Arizona.

At Arizona, Taylor helped the club to the College World Series title. They made it after losing their first game. Taylor explained to The Associated Press later why.

"We keep pushing," Taylor told The AP. "We go after them."

Taylor started with the Indians at single-A Waterloo. He hit .216 in 49 games, stealing 23.

He made AA Chattanooga for most of 1982, stealing 50 there. For 1983, he made AA Buffalo, swiping 95 there.

For 1984, Taylor arrived at AAA for the first time at Maine. He hit .271 and stole 46. He also lost a month due to a broken jaw he suffered after getting hit in the face by a pitch in May.

Taylor stayed at Maine for 1985. He hit .251 and stole 52. He stole his final two bases of the year in early September. He also got three hits in that game. He then tripled and scored in a playoff game.

That October, Taylor moved to the Royals to complete an earlier trade. He then made his debut in the majors the very next April.

Taylor got into a total of four games for Kansas City. He got two at bats and he scored a run. He didn't get a hit. He also didn't get a stolen base. He debuted April 14 and played his final game April 23.

He spent the rest of that season at AAA Omaha. He also didn't get back to the majors.

Taylor played 1987 back at Omaha, then 1988 with the Expos at AAA Indianapolis. He moved to the Indians system for 1989 and 1990. He also got time in 1990 at AAA Richmond with the Braves.

Taylor's last affiliated time came in 1992, with the Reds at AA Chattanooga and AAA Nashville. His last recorded time came in 1993 in Mexico.
1990 CMC-Pro Cards Tally
Players/Coaches Featured:1,729
Made the Majors: 824 - 47.6%-X
Never Made Majors: 905-52.4%
5+ Seasons in the Majors: 357
10+ Seasons in the Minors:207

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