Danny Goodwin – Baseball Player Biography, Career, Net Worth Information

Danny Goodwin stands out in baseball history as the only player ever picked first overall in the MLB draft twice. Born in St. Louis, he first got drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1971 and then by the California Angels in 1975, making him one of the most hyped prospects of his time.

Even with all the buzz, Goodwin’s major league career lasted just eight seasons from 1975 to 1982. He wrapped up his MLB run with a .236 batting average, 13 home runs, and 81 RBIs in 252 games for the California Angels, Minnesota Twins, and Oakland Athletics. His story is one of baseball’s most interesting “what ifs,” since he never quite lived up to the massive expectations from his amateur days.

Goodwin’s journey from amateur star to retired pro shows just how unpredictable baseball careers can be. He battled through the minors, struggled to get steady playing time, and called it quits in 1982. His path really highlights the challenges faced by even the most promising young players in the sport.

Early Life and Amateur Career

Danny Kay Goodwin was born on September 2, 1953, in St. Louis, Missouri. He ended up becoming the only player in baseball history to go first overall in two separate MLB drafts.

His rise from high school standout to college star set the stage for his draft-day fame.

Childhood in St. Louis, Missouri

Danny Goodwin grew up in St. Louis during the ‘50s and ‘60s. The city’s deep baseball roots were all around him.

With the Cardinals right there, he couldn’t help but fall in love with the game. That kind of environment is hard to beat for a young ballplayer.

He showed off serious athletic talent as a kid. Goodwin’s power and hand-eye coordination stood out from the start.

He honed his skills on neighborhood fields and in local leagues. Coaches and scouts noticed him early.

By his teens, Goodwin had become a big, strong presence on the field. Catcher and power hitter just seemed to fit him perfectly.

Peoria Central High School Baseball Achievements

Goodwin went to Peoria Central High School and quickly became one of the top high school players in the country. Scouts from every major league team came to see him.

He was a feared hitter, combining raw power with a great eye at the plate. Not many high schoolers could match that.

Behind the plate, he impressed with a strong arm and sharp defensive instincts.

Key High School Statistics:

• He often hit multiple home runs in a game
• Maintained a high batting average throughout high school
• Posted strong defensive numbers as a catcher

College coaches and pro scouts packed the stands for his games. He drew a crowd wherever he played.

Legendary High School Performances

Goodwin’s high school games became legendary among scouts. His power at the plate was just jaw-dropping.

He hit home runs that seemed to defy logic, launching balls way beyond the fences. No wonder teams lined up for him.

He delivered against every level of competition. That kind of consistency is rare for a teenager.

The Chicago White Sox zeroed in on him for the 1971 draft. “We understand he will ask for six-figures,” said White Sox GM Roland Hemond, “We’re not discouraged by it.”

Teams felt his talent was worth the money. They saw him as a once-in-a-generation prospect.

Southern University and Collegiate Accolades

Goodwin turned down the White Sox in 1971 and headed to Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He decided to study pre-med while keeping up with baseball.

At Southern, he kept dominating on the field and stayed strong academically. Balancing both wasn’t easy, but he pulled it off.

His college coach, Emery Hines, raved about him. “Danny has devastating power,” Hines said. “He can catch and throw as well as Johnny Bench and he can run better.”

College Career Highlights:

• Stayed on track academically in pre-med
• Continued to improve as a catcher and hitter
• MLB scouts kept a close eye on him

By 1975, Goodwin was again the top amateur player in the country. His college stats made him a can’t-miss prospect.

The California Angels picked him first overall in 1975. This time, he chose pro baseball instead of dental school.

Draft History and Notable Distinction

Danny Goodwin’s claim to fame is being the only player ever picked first overall in two MLB drafts. The White Sox grabbed him in 1971 right out of high school, but he chose college instead.

1971 MLB Draft and Decision Not to Sign

The Chicago White Sox made Goodwin the first overall pick in the 1971 draft, straight out of Peoria Central High. He played catcher back then.

Goodwin became the first number one overall pick in MLB history to turn down the team that drafted him. The White Sox offered a signing bonus between $50,000 and $80,000, but that wasn’t enough for him.

Instead, he took a scholarship to Southern University. He wanted a college education and didn’t like the number Chicago offered.

This decision changed his future. At Southern, he built up a college career that made him an even hotter prospect four years later.

1975 MLB Draft and Signing with the California Angels

Four years after passing up the White Sox, the California Angels made Goodwin the first overall pick in the 1975 draft. He was coming off a stellar run at Southern University.

He had turned into a dominant college player. Goodwin put up a .394 average, 20 home runs, and 166 RBIs in college, and made All-American three times.

The Angels signed him for a record $150,000 bonus, way more than what the White Sox had offered back in 1971. Waiting for college paid off.

Goodwin also picked up the Sporting News 1975 College Player of the Year award. The Angels wanted him in the majors as quickly as possible after his amateur success.

Major League Career Overview

Danny Goodwin played seven MLB seasons from 1975 to 1982, appearing in 252 games for three American League teams. He showed flashes of promise, but things never quite came together. His best year was 1979, when he hit .289 for the Minnesota Twins.

Debut and Tenure with the California Angels

Goodwin debuted in the majors on September 3, 1975, against the Texas Rangers—just a day after his 22nd birthday. The Angels called him up after he tore up the minors, signing him for a $104,000 bonus.

He didn’t get much playing time early on. The Angels already had bats like Don Baylor at DH and Brian Downing at catcher. That left Goodwin bouncing between the majors and minors.

In 1977, he split time between Triple-A Salt Lake City and the Angels. He hit over .300 in the minors but couldn’t break into a crowded Anaheim lineup. Guys like Joe Rudi, Rick Miller, and Lyman Bostock blocked his path.

He got hot in August 1978, called up during a pennant chase. Goodwin went 5-for-7 in a doubleheader against the Twins and finished the month batting .283. “I always felt I would hit up here if I was given the opportunity,” he told The Sporting News.

Playing Years for the Minnesota Twins

The Minnesota Twins traded for Goodwin on December 4, 1978, sending Dan Ford and Ron Jackson to the Angels. The move came after Angels outfielder Lyman Bostock’s tragic death, which shook up both teams’ rosters.

Twins manager Gene Mauch summed up Goodwin’s role: “He plays bat.” They wanted him as a left-handed DH, finally giving him steady at-bats.

Things got off to a rocky start in 1979. Goodwin hurt his ankle before spring training and didn’t tell the Twins. He struggled, hitting just .174 in limited action and got sent to Triple-A Toledo when the team ran out of options.

Later that season, he got another call-up and made the most of it. Goodwin hit .289 with five home runs and 27 RBIs in 55 games. That was the best stretch of his career and landed him on the 1980 opening day roster.

But 1979 turned out to be his high point. He batted .200 in 1980 and kept struggling in 1981, leading to his release in November 1981.

Final MLB Season with the Oakland Athletics

The Oakland Athletics gave Goodwin a last shot in 1982. Owner Charlie Finley had always liked him and arranged for him to play with Oakland’s Triple-A team in Ogden, Utah, where he hit .349.

Goodwin’s time with the A’s didn’t last long. He played a handful of games as a designated hitter and sometimes at first base, just like most of his MLB career.

His final big league game came on July 7, 1982, against the Yankees. He went 0-for-4 that day. After Oakland released him, Goodwin played three more years in Triple-A with the Tacoma Tigers and spent a short stint in Japan in 1986.

He finished with a .236 average, 13 homers, and 81 RBIs in 252 games. Despite being the only player picked first overall in two drafts, he never quite became the star so many predicted.

Career Performance and Key Statistics

Danny Goodwin played seven MLB seasons from 1975 to 1982, posting a .236 batting average, 13 home runs, and 81 RBIs in 252 games. His -1.7 WAR tells the story of a tough transition from amateur standout to big leaguer.

Batting Average and Hitting Analysis

Goodwin’s career batting average of .236 was well below the league average for his era. His best year was 1979 with the Twins, when he hit .289 and put up an .832 OPS in 58 games.

He flashed potential in 1978, hitting .276 in 24 games and reaching a .377 on-base percentage. That year, his OPS+ was 141—meaning he hit 41% better than league average in limited action.

But things got rough at the end. In 1980, he dropped to .200, and then .225 in 1981. He just couldn’t adjust to major league pitching over the long haul.

Home Runs and RBI Contributors

Goodwin’s power numbers stayed modest, with just 13 home runs in his 252 MLB games. His best power year was 1979, when he hit 5 homers and drove in 27 runs for Minnesota.

He fit best as a designated hitter, with a few games at first base. Most of his 81 RBIs came during his three years with the Twins.

His home run production peaked in his first season with Minnesota. After those 5 homers in 1979, he hit just 1 in 1980 and 2 in 1981. The drop in power played a big part in the early end of his major league career.

Overall WAR and Player Value

Goodwin finished his career with a WAR of -1.7, according to Baseball Reference, showing he performed below replacement level. His best season came in 1978, when he managed a 0.6 WAR—that was the only year he posted a positive number.

He struggled both at the plate and in the field, and that negative WAR really tells the story. Since he didn’t offer much defensive versatility and his bat cooled off, teams found it tough to keep him around.

His last few years really showed that decline. From 1980 to 1982, he posted WAR values of -0.7, -0.9, and -0.2, and after that last season with Oakland in ’82, he called it a career.

Legacy and Honors

Danny Goodwin made a huge impact on college baseball history and the MLB draft process. He’s the only player ever drafted first overall twice, and that fact alone changed how teams and players look at the draft system.

College Baseball Hall of Fame Induction

In 2011, Goodwin received his biggest honor when the National College Baseball Hall of Fame inducted him. He was part of the inaugural class chosen by the Black College Legends and Pioneers Committee.

That committee aimed to recognize players and coaches from Historically Black Colleges and Universities whose careers started before 1975. Goodwin stood out because of what he did at Southern University.

He hit for a .394 career batting average, knocked 20 home runs, and drove in 166 runs during his college days. He earned three All-American nods—twice at the NAIA level and once in the NCAA.

The Sporting News even named him the 1975 College Player of the Year. That award capped off his standout final season and his four-year run at Southern.

Impact on MLB Draft History

Goodwin did something nobody else has—he got picked first overall in the MLB draft twice. The Chicago White Sox picked him in 1971, but he said no and chose Southern University instead.

Four years later, the California Angels took him first overall in the 1975 draft, and this time he signed to go pro.

His choice to go to college instead of signing out of high school made teams rethink how they handled high school prospects. It made it clear that top prospects might value education over jumping right into pro ball.

Teams started paying more attention to whether a player would actually sign before picking them first overall. The draft system had to adapt.

Reputation Among Number One Picks

Among all the first overall picks, Goodwin’s story is a mix of big-time promise and the tough reality of making it in the majors. He crushed it in college, but his MLB career lasted just eight seasons.

Baseball analysts often bring up Goodwin when talking about “can’t miss” prospects who don’t quite pan out at the top level. His case is a reminder—being drafted first doesn’t mean you’ll make it big.

Still, his college numbers and draft history keep him in the baseball conversation. He pops up whenever people talk about player development and draft strategy.

Scouts and front office folks still mention him when they’re looking at similar players. His experience really shows how different the college game can be from pro ball.

Life and Career After Retirement

When Danny Goodwin retired from Major League Baseball in 1982, he started a new chapter. He made a brief return to baseball overseas and later moved into front office work. He stayed connected to the sport that shaped his early adult life.

Brief Stint in International Baseball

Goodwin didn’t immediately walk away from the game after his 1982 season with Oakland. In 1986, he took his talents to Japan and played professionally there for one season.

Heading to Japan was a pretty common move for American players looking to extend their careers after MLB. Playing overseas gave Goodwin more time on the field, a paycheck, and a shot at baseball in a totally different setting.

That 1986 season in Japan marked the real end of his pro playing days. After more than a decade in organized baseball, from signing with the California Angels in 1975 through his final season overseas, Goodwin finally hung up his cleats.

Post-Baseball Involvement and Community

After he retired from playing, Goodwin jumped into baseball administration and front office work. He landed a job with the Atlanta Braves, working in their front office.

Goodwin stayed close to the game he loved, using all that experience he picked up as a player. Since he got drafted first overall twice—something nobody else has done—he brought a perspective that was honestly pretty rare.

“Going from athletics to outside life is difficult,” Goodwin admitted in his post-playing transition. Adjusting from being a professional athlete to a more traditional job wasn’t easy, and he knew plenty of other former players felt the same way.

By working with the Braves, Goodwin showed he still cared deeply about baseball, even if his playing days hadn’t exactly matched the sky-high hopes people had when he was drafted first overall—twice.