Dodgers: Remembering franchise’s all-time most versatile players

Mickey Hatcher: (1979-80, 1987-90 1B, 3B, OF)

This may be a reflection of one postseason, but Mickey Hatcher belongs on this list because his spirited “do or die” attitude epitomized how versatile a player he proved to be.

Hatcher was a Dodgers prospect who played briefly from 1979-80 before he was sent to the Minnesota Twins in a trade. As a rookie, he showed his versatility playing third base and in the outfield.

By the time he returned Hatcher was a utility player who would pinch hit or run when called upon and became the de facto leader of the bench players known as the “Stunt Men.” During their, Cinderella run to a World Series in 1988, Hatcher filled in at both corner spots in the infield and outfield and was a useful right-handed pinch hitter.

During the 1988 postseason, Hatcher really shined, hitting .300 hitting with two home runs (compared to just one during the regular season), and driving in eight runs while scoring nine. Hatcher started all but one of the Dodgers’ 12 postseason games and he had a hit in 10 out of 11 games. Hatcher played first base and in the outfield.

Hatcher provided the offensive punch for the Dodgers in the 1988 World Series when Kirk Gibson was lost to injury, leading the team with two home runs and five RBI, adding flawless defense handling all his chances in the outfield over 39 innings.