Mike Pagliarulo, often referred to by fans and teammates as "Pags," played as a third baseman in Major League Baseball. His career began when he was drafted by the New York Yankees in the sixth round of the 1981 MLB Draft. After honing his skills in the minor leagues, Pagliarulo made his major league debut with the Yankees on July 7, 1984.
During his time with the Yankees, Pagliarulo became known for his left-handed power hitting. In the 1986 season, he hit 28 home runs, which was a career-high for him. This performance helped solidify his position as the Yankees' starting third baseman. Pagliarulo's ability to hit for power was complemented by his defensive skills at third base, where he demonstrated a strong arm and reliable fielding.
In 1989, Pagliarulo's tenure with the Yankees came to an end when he was traded to the San Diego Padres. His time with the Padres was relatively short, as he was traded again in 1990, this time to the Minnesota Twins. It was with the Twins that Pagliarulo experienced one of the highlights of his career. In 1991, he played a role in helping the Twins secure a World Series championship. Pagliarulo's performance in the postseason was marked by timely hitting and solid defense, contributing to the Twins' success.
After his stint with the Twins, Pagliarulo continued his career with several other teams. He played for the Baltimore Orioles in 1993, followed by a brief period with the Texas Rangers. In 1994, he signed with the Japanese team, the Seibu Lions, where he spent part of the season before returning to the major leagues with the Rangers.
Pagliarulo's final season in MLB was in 1995, when he played for the Texas Rangers. Over the course of his career, he accumulated a batting average of .241, with 134 home runs and 505 RBIs. While his career statistics may not place him among the all-time greats, Pagliarulo's contributions to the teams he played for were appreciated by fans and teammates alike.
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