Al Woods – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Al Woods made his mark during a seven-year run in Major League Baseball, from 1977 to 1986, mostly as a left fielder with the Toronto Blue Jays and Minnesota Twins.

Born Alvis Woods on August 8, 1953, in Oakland, California, he batted and threw left-handed. Not many players can say they homered as a pinch hitter in their first major league at-bat, but Woods did it.

Woods wrapped up his final season in 1986 with the Minnesota Twins. He finished with 35 home runs and 196 RBIs over 618 games. The Minnesota Twins picked him in the second round of the 1972 Amateur Draft, but he spent most of his career with the Blue Jays from 1977 to 1982.

He had both high points and tough stretches in his career. His best year came in 1980, when he hit .300 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs.

Woods’ story has all the ups and downs you’d expect from a journeyman player. He worked his way up through the minors, had some unforgettable moments in the majors, and eventually moved on from baseball.

Al Woods’ Professional Baseball Career

Alvis “Al” Woods played seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1977 to 1986. He spent most of that time as a left fielder with the Toronto Blue Jays, then finished with the Minnesota Twins.

He started with a bang, homering in his debut, and his role in Toronto shifted over time before a short final run in Minnesota.

Major League Baseball Debut and Early Impact

Al Woods stepped onto the MLB stage on April 7, 1977, with the Toronto Blue Jays. He made a splash by homering in his first major league at-bat against the Chicago White Sox.

At 23 years old, this Oakland native had a solid rookie season in 1977. Woods played 122 games and hit .284 with 125 hits.

He drove in 35 runs, knocked 6 home runs, and stole 8 bases that year.

Woods’ impact went beyond his stats. He became a regular for the young Blue Jays team, still finding its footing in the American League.

The lefty showed promise as both a hitter and an outfielder.

Toronto Blue Jays Tenure

Woods spent six seasons with Toronto from 1977 to 1982. He became a steady contributor.

His best year with the bat came in 1980. That season, he hit .300 with 15 home runs and 47 RBIs in 109 games.

Career Highlights with Toronto:

• 1977: .284 average, 125 hits, 58 runs
• 1980: .300 average, 15 home runs, 47 RBIs
• 1979: 132 games played, 121 hits, 24 doubles

He mostly played left field but also filled in as a designated hitter. That versatility helped the Blue Jays shuffle their lineup.

Over six seasons in Toronto, Woods batted .270.

His production dropped off in his later years there. After that strong 1980, he struggled in 1981 and 1982, hitting just .247 and .234.

That dip in performance led to his exit from Toronto.

Minnesota Twins and Final MLB Season

After four years away from the big leagues, Woods got another shot in 1986 with the Minnesota Twins. At 32, he played 23 games in what turned out to be his last MLB season.

Woods made the most of his chance with Minnesota. He hit .321, with 2 home runs and 8 RBIs in just 28 at-bats.

His .571 slugging percentage showed he still had some pop, even after time off.

That short stint with the Twins closed the book on his MLB career. He finished with a .271 average, 35 home runs, and 196 RBIs over 618 games.

Most of his impact came with the Blue Jays during his prime years.

Career Highlights and Memorable Moments

Al Woods pulled off some impressive feats in his seven MLB seasons. He’s one of the rare players to hit a home run in his first major league at-bat.

His best seasons came with Toronto in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when he played a big role for the fledgling Blue Jays.

First MLB Home Run in Debut Game

On April 7, 1977, Woods made Blue Jays and baseball history. He came into the team’s inaugural game as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning for Steve Bowling.

Facing Chicago White Sox reliever Francisco Barrios, Woods saw five pitches and launched the last one over the fence for a home run.

Not many players have homered in their first MLB at-bat, especially as pinch hitters.

That home run happened during the Blue Jays’ first-ever game. Woods joined a pretty exclusive group with that swing.

It set the tone for his career and for the franchise. Fans still talk about that moment from the team’s early days.

Peak Seasons and Notable Games

Woods hit his stride in 1979 and 1980 with Toronto. In 1979, he played a career-high 132 games and posted a .278 average with 33 extra-base hits.

Then 1980 rolled around, and he put up his best numbers. Woods hit .300, smacked 15 home runs, and drove in 47 runs.

That was his most complete season at the plate.

Back in his rookie year, Woods finished with a .284 average in 122 games. He quickly became the Blue Jays’ regular left fielder.

Role on Expansion Teams

Woods played key roles for two franchises at important times. The Blue Jays picked him up in the 1976 expansion draft after he’d spent time in the Twins’ minor leagues.

As part of Toronto’s first roster, Woods helped shape the franchise’s identity. He gave them steady offense from 1977 to 1982.

He later rejoined the Twins organization in 1985 and 1986. Woods spent most of 1985 with Triple-A Toledo, then got a brief MLB call-up in 1986.

His final major league game was October 2, 1986, with Minnesota. He wrapped up his career with 35 home runs and 196 RBIs in 618 games.

Statistical Overview and Achievements

Al Woods put together a .271 career batting average over seven seasons. He collected 538 hits and delivered steady offense.

His power numbers included 35 home runs and 196 RBIs in 618 games.

Batting Average and Offensive Contributions

Woods stayed consistent with a .271 average from 1977 to 1986. His best year was 1980, when he hit .300 and posted a .364 on-base percentage and .480 slugging percentage.

He tallied 538 career hits in 1,986 at-bats. Woods showed decent plate discipline, drawing 167 walks and striking out 180 times.

His .326 on-base percentage shows he got on base at a good clip.

He scored 233 runs in his career and added 98 doubles plus 14 triples. In his rookie year, Woods had 125 hits in 440 at-bats for a .284 average.

Home Runs and Run Production

Alvis Woods hit 35 home runs in his seven-year career. His power peaked in 1980, when he knocked 15 homers—almost half his career total.

He hit his first MLB home run in his debut at-bat on April 7, 1977.

Woods drove in 196 RBIs during his career, averaging 51 RBIs per 162 games. His top RBI year was 1980, with 47 runs driven in.

He also drove in 35 runs as a rookie in 1977.

His .387 slugging percentage reflected moderate power. Woods racked up 769 total bases in his career.

After 1980, his power numbers dipped, and he hit just 12 home runs in his last four seasons.

Draft and Minor League Development

Woods entered pro baseball through two drafts: the Montreal Expos picked him in 1971, and the Minnesota Twins picked him in 1972. He spent several years in the minors before reaching the majors in 1977.

Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins Draft

The Montreal Expos drafted Woods in the 32nd round of the 1971 MLB June Amateur Draft. He was fresh out of St. Elizabeth High School in Oakland.

Woods didn’t sign with the Expos. Instead, he chose to go to Laney College in Oakland and keep working on his game.

The Minnesota Twins drafted him in the 2nd round of the 1972 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase. That was a big jump from his earlier draft spot.

He was the 35th overall pick that year.

Woods signed with the Twins after his time at Laney College. That kicked off his pro baseball career in the Minnesota system.

Minor League Experience and Triple-A Tenure

Woods spent several seasons in the Twins’ minor league system before getting his shot in the majors.

He played from 1976 to 1986 at different minor league levels.

His minor league career was solid. Woods hit .282 over 771 games and 2,978 plate appearances.

He slugged 73 home runs and drove in 404 runs in the minors.

Woods also stole 35 bases and scored 395 runs in his minor league days. Those numbers show he could do a bit of everything.

His last minor league season was 1986 with the Toledo Mud Hens. He hit .268 with 5 homers and 32 RBIs in 243 plate appearances that year.

Post-Baseball Life and Legacy

After his baseball career ended, Al Woods switched gears and went into law enforcement. He found a new way to serve his community, and folks still remember the moments he gave baseball fans.

Transition to Law Enforcement

Once he retired from baseball in 1986, Al Woods started a new chapter as a police officer in California, the state where he grew up.

He brought the same focus and work ethic from the diamond to the police force.

Woods’ athletic background and team-first attitude paid off in law enforcement.

A lot of athletes from his era looked for steady work after sports, and law enforcement was a pretty common path.

Woods worked as a police officer for several years. His colleagues appreciated his leadership and dedication—traits he honed in the majors.

Enduring Impact on Baseball Communities

Al Woods earned a permanent spot in baseball lore by homering in his first major league at-bat. Only eleven players have done that as a pinch hitter.

His link to the Toronto Blue Jays’ first season is still a big deal. Woods played in their first-ever game on April 7, 1977, tying him to the team’s history forever.

Fans and baseball historians still talk about Woods’ role in that debut. His home run off Chicago’s Francisco Barrios pops up in conversations about unforgettable MLB beginnings.

The Blue Jays have recognized Woods’ contributions to their early years. His .271 career average and 35 home runs stand as solid numbers from his Toronto days, 1977 to 1982.

Woods’ story inspires young players who hope to make a splash right away in the majors. That first at-bat homer remains a dream moment for aspiring baseball players.

Personal Background and Early Years

Alvis “Al” Woods was born on August 8, 1953, in Oakland, California. He started building his baseball skills right in his hometown.

His education took him from St. Elizabeth High School to Laney College. Those years really set up his path into professional baseball.

Hometown and Education

Woods grew up in Oakland, California, a city with a deep baseball tradition. He went to St. Elizabeth High School in Oakland, where he first showed off his baseball talent.

After he finished high school, Woods enrolled at Laney College, which is also in Oakland. That community college gave him a place to keep playing ball while working on his studies.

Oakland’s baseball culture and competitive vibe definitely shaped his growth as a player. You can imagine how the local scene pushed him to get better.

His time at Laney College mattered a lot for his baseball career. The program there let him show off in front of pro scouts and get ready for tougher competition.

Path to Professional Baseball

Woods started chasing his professional baseball dreams back in his college days, right in the thick of the draft process.

The Montreal Expos picked him in the 32nd round of the 1971 MLB June Amateur Draft. At that point, he was still at St. Elizabeth High School.

But Woods didn’t sign with Montreal. He decided to stick with school and keep developing his game at Laney College.

Honestly, that move paid off. The Minnesota Twins came calling in the 2nd round of the 1972 MLB June Draft-Secondary Phase.

They grabbed Woods as the 35th overall pick—a huge jump from where Montreal had picked him the year before.

That higher draft spot showed just how much he’d grown as a player at Laney.

From there, the Twins brought him into the fold. He left Oakland behind and started his climb through the minor leagues, all the way to Major League Baseball.