#496 Reggie Jefferson

About the Front: Reggie Jefferson is intently focusing on his pine-tar duties.

About the Back: If you're like me, you probably don't think of Reggie as a triples hitter. He led the rookie-level GCL with his five three-baggers in 1986, but didn't hit his fifth major league triple until his 287th career game.

Triple Play:

1. The Baseball Reference Bullpen Wiki claims that Jefferson "would literally drag the entire top side of his foot with every step". We're going to classify that as a big ol' "citation needed".

2. The Indians made a savvy trade in December of 1993, sending Reggie and shortstop Felix Fermin to Seattle for shortstop Omar Vizquel. The duo played a total of 237 games for the Mariners, while Vizquel won eight Gold Gloves in 11 seasons in Cleveland.

3. He had a strong stint with the Red Sox in the late 1990s, primarily as a DH. In 1996, he batted .347/.388/.593 (143 OPS+) with career highs of 19 home runs and 74 RBI in 418 plate appearances.

11-Year-Old Kevin Says: Heh. That camera lens is pointing right at his butt. (Let's be honest, 35-year-old me is probably more responsible for this thought.)

Bill James Said: "I've never believed he had star potential, and since he is now competing for playing time with Manny Ramirez, who does have star potential, it may be a couple of years before he becomes a full-time player."

On This Date in 1993: February 13. Ah, what the heck, let's indulge my wrestling fandom. The regular Saturday morning airing of WWF Superstars featured Tatanka defeating Shawn Michaels and Giant Gonzalez squashing three "enhancement talents" (including Louie Spicolli) in an 81-second match. The Steiner Brothers, Lex Luger, and Crush were also featured.