SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — Rick Schu, the Giants’ new assistant hitting coach, hit both the first homer of his career and his last against pitchers who won Cy Young Awards. He said hello against Mark Davis in 1984 and goodbye against Randy Johnson in 1990.
But it was another brush with greatness that continues to define his career.
Schu’s first full-time role in the big leagues was nothing less than replacing Mike Schmidt at third base. On May 29, 1985, the Philadelphia Phillies summoned the 23-year-old prospect from the minors and put him at hot corner.
The greatest third baseman of all-time, meanwhile, grabbed a first baseman’s mitt and moved across the diamond.