Ken Phelps

Kenneth Allan Phelps, nicknamed "Digger", is a former Major League Baseball designated hitter and first baseman. During an 11-year baseball career, he played from 1980-1990 for six different teams, but he played primarily with the Seattle Mariners. He achieved lasting notice when the pioneering baseball statistician, Bill James made him an emblem for a class of Minor League Baseball players who are unfairly denied a chance to play in the Majors despite compiling Minor League Baseball statistics that would indicate an ability to succeed in the Majors. Phelps eventually played a major role on the 1984 Mariners and went on to enjoy a successful, if brief, career despite not becoming established until age 29.

Phelps' aforementioned nickname was often used by usual broadcast partner Greg Schulte. However, he should not be confused with noted college basketball broadcaster Digger Phelps.

Amateur/Minor Leaguer

Phelps was born August 6, 1954 in Seattle, Washington. After attending Seattle's Ingraham High School he played a year at Washington State University before he headed south to Mesa Community College looking for an opportunity to play at Arizona State University, the school of his dreams. He gained national acclaim in his only season at MCC and was named a Junior College All American. At Mesa, he was drafted twice in the first round (January and June drafts) by the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, respectively. He had previously been drafted by the......
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