| Jeff Kunkel | |
|---|---|
 Kunkel with theTexas Rangersc. 1987 | |
| Shortstop | |
| Born: (1961-03-25)March 25, 1961 (age 63) West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| July 23, 1984, for the Texas Rangers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 14, 1992, for the Chicago Cubs | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .221 |
| Home runs | 18 |
| Runs batted in | 73 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Jeffrey William Kunkel (born March 25, 1961[1]) is an American formershortstop inMajor League Baseball with theTexas Rangers andChicago Cubs.
The son of the lateAmerican League pitcher and umpireBill Kunkel,[2] after receiving All-American honors as a shortstop, he was chosen in the first round (3rd overall) of the1983 Major League Baseball Draft[2] out ofRider University.
Growing up in theLeonardo section ofMiddletown Township, New Jersey,[3] Kunkel was an all-around athlete who participated in soccer, basketball and baseball during his high school years atMiddletown High School South in New Jersey.[4] He was selected as #74 of the top 100Jersey Shore athletes of the millennium by theAsbury Park Press in 1999.
Kunkel reached the big leagues quickly, but never developed into a full-time player. The Rangers gave him the opportunity to win the starting shortstop position, but he was always thwarted by his hitting stats and obstacles such asCurtis Wilkerson,Scott Fletcher,Fred Manrique,Gary Green, andJeff Huson.
Plagued with numerous potential career-ending injuries, Kunkel worked hard to rehabilitate himself to finish an 11-year professional baseball career with 5½ years in the major leagues.
A versatile player with the ability to play 8 of the 9 positions on the field, he actually pitched three times in mop-up stints.[1]
Kunkel made his major league debut against the defending world championBaltimore Orioles atArlington Stadium on Monday, July 23,1984. Against O's aceMike Boddicker, a 20-game winner that season, Kunkel recorded three hits and stole second base. Nevertheless, the Rangers lost the game, 9-5.[5]
Kunkel spent the rest of the season alternating with Curtis Wilkerson, but was never able to duplicate the success of his first game. He concluded 1984 with 3 home runs, 7 runs batted in, and a .204 average in 50 games and 142 at-bats.[1]
After struggling during spring training in1985, Kunkel found little playing time with the Rangers over the next four seasons. He spent most of his time with theOklahoma City 89ers of the Triple-AAmerican Association and was recalled to the majors only due to other players being hurt or the rosters expanding in September.
In1989 Kunkel recorded his best season, and more playing time opened for him due to the trade ofScott Fletcher to theChicago White Sox. He responded by hitting a career-high .270 with 8 home runs and 29 RBI in 108 games.[1] The success was short-lived, and by1990 he was back to his previous role as a reserve player.
In1992, theChicago Cubs gave Kunkel his last shot in the majors. He assumed the role as a utility player, receiving very limited playing time behindRyne Sandberg andShawon Dunston. Jeff concluded his short stay with the Cubs hitting .138 in 29 at-bats and never played in the big leagues again.[1]
In1993, Jeff signed a minor league contract with theCleveland Indians and played infield and outfield for the AAAInternational League ChampionCharlotte Knights.
In1994, Kunkel joined theDetroit Tigers' AAA team, theToledo Mud Hens, where he finished his professional baseball career hitting .249 with 11 hrs.