Danny Heep

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Daniel William Heep (Born July 3, 1957 in San Antonio, Texas), is a retired Major League Baseball outfielder.

Heep played for five different ballclubs during his 13 year career: the Houston Astros (1979-1982), New York Mets (1983-1986), Los Angeles Dodgers (1987-1988), Boston Red Sox (1989-1990), and Atlanta Braves (1991). He made his Major League Baseball debut on August 31, 1979, and played his final game on June 8, 1991.

Heep played for two different World Series Champions: the New York Mets in 1986, and the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1988.

Heep is a San Antonio native. He played baseball at and graduated from Lee High School.

Heep played for St. Mary's University in San Antonio where he was twice an All-American, in 1976 and again in 1978, as a pitcher. At St. Mary's he earned his bachelor's degree in physical education, and he is a member of that school's Athletic Hall of Fame.

Currently, Heep is the head coach for the University of the Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas. Since becoming head coach in 1998, Heep has helped the team to two division championships.

[edit] Fact

• Heep is the nephew of Matt Batts, a catcher who played for the Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Redlegs between 1947 and 1956.

• In 1986, while playing for the Mets, Danny Heep became the first player in a World Series to be a designated hitter (DH) with the initials "D.H."

• Traded to the New York Mets for future Cy Young winner Mike Scott.

• Hit four pinch hit home runs for the Mets in 1984, setting a team record.

• Nolan Ryan's 4000th strikeout victim.

• Was in an outfield collision with Terry Blocker on June 9, 1985 during the second game of a Banner Day doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals resulting in an inside-the-park grand slam home run.

• Pitched an inning for the Dodgers.
• Fought Darryl Strawberry on an airplane and beat him severely.

[edit] References

• Article - from University of the Incarnate Word's official website.
• Interview with Danny on Blog Talk Radio. [1]
• New York Times Article on Heep's collision with Terry Blocker. [2]
• Danny Heep's entry at Baseball Reference.com [3]