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| Shawn Abner | |
|---|---|
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1966-06-17)June 17, 1966 (age 58) Hamilton, Ohio, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 8, 1987, for the San Diego Padres | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 3, 1992, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .227 |
| Home runs | 11 |
| Runs batted in | 71 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Shawn Wesley Abner (born June 17, 1966) is an American former professional baseballoutfielder who played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) from 1987 to 1992 for theSan Diego Padres,California Angels, andChicago White Sox. In 392 career games, Abner had abatting average of .227 with 191hits, 11home runs, and 71runs batted in. He is widely considered adraft bust.
TheNew York Mets drafted Abner with thefirst overall selection in the1984 MLB draft.
Shawn Wesley Abner was born on June 17, 1966, inHamilton, Ohio, to Ben Sr. and Carol.[1][2] In middle school, Abner playedAmerican football as arunning back, though in high school he switched positions toquarterback because his mother stated she did not want Abner to get hurt.[3] Abner attended high school atMechanicsburg Area High School inMechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, where he played football and baseball as acenter fielder.[4][5] In 1981, in football, the Mechanicsburg Wildcats finished as runners up in the Capital Area Conference (CAC) toRed Land High School as Abner was named to the CAC all-star team, composed of the best players in the conference, as adefensive back.[6][7]
The Mets selected himfirst overall in the1984 MLB draft. When Abner signed with the Mets, his $150,500 (equivalent to $456,000 in 2024)[8] signing bonus was the highest in the history of baseball.[9]
On December 11, 1986, the Mets traded Abner,Kevin Mitchell,Stan Jefferson, Kevin Armstrong, and Kevin Brown to theSan Diego Padres forKevin McReynolds,Gene Walter, and Adam Ging.[10] Abner made his debut on September 8, 1987, in a loss to the Braves. Abner entered in the top of the eighth inning as a pinch hitter forLance McCullers and flied out to center field in his first major league at bat.[11]
The light-hitting Abner played sparingly over the next five seasons for San Diego, used mostly as a reserveoutfielder. He was traded to theCalifornia Angels in 1991 and signed by theChicago White Sox in 1992. His season with the White Sox was probably his best, as he attained a .279batting average over 97 games.[2]
Abner injured his knee the following season playing basketball before a Triple-A game for theOmaha Royals,[12] and never played in the majors again. While playing in MLB, Abner stood at 6 feet 1 inch (185 cm) and weighed 190 pounds (86 kg). He batted and threw right-handed. In 392 career games, Abner had abatting average of .227 with 191hits, 11home runs, and 71runs batted in.[2] Abner is widely-considered adraft bust.[13][14][15][16]
Abner married his high-school sweetheart Kris in October 1987 atA Little White Wedding Chapel inLas Vegas. During the MLB off-season, Abner enjoyed playingblackjack in casinos in Las Vegas.[9] His sonSeth "Scump" Abner is a former professionalCall of Duty player.[17]
On August 28, 2019, Shawn was charged withanimal cruelty for leaving his 14 year oldhusky alone at home, for over a month, resulting in the dog's death. Shawn failed to ask anyone to care for the dog while he was away.[18] He pleaded guilty tofelony aggravated animal cruelty and was sentenced in January 2020 to 4.5–23 months in prison.[19]
| Preceded by | First overall pick in the MLB Entry Draft 1984 | Succeeded by |
