Whether it was on the diamond, on the ice or even on the links, Chris Sabo has always embodied the blue collar and workmanlike approach of his hometown of Detroit.
As a high school senior, Sabo had to make the decision to pursue a future in baseball or hockey. He chose to attend the University of Michigan on a baseball scholarship. While in Ann Arbor, the third baseman led the Wolverines deep in the College World Series tournament and earned All American honors in 1983.
The scrappy infielder was selected in the second round of the 1983 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. After spending multiple season in the minors, he got the call to the Big Leagues in 1988. He took the opportunity and never looked back, earning the National League Rookie of the Year honors. Over the course of six seasons in Cincy, Sabo was a 3 time All-Star and a World Series champion with the 1990 squad that swept the favored Oakland Athletics. With his signature flat-top, Rec Specs and Charlie Hustle-like attitude, he was eventually inducted into the Reds Hall of Fame.
After his time in Cincinnati, Sabo spent parts of three seasons in Baltimore, Chicago and St. Louis before returning to retire with the Reds.
“Spuds” is currently the baseball coach at the University of Akron.
In a recent chat, he remembered practicing his signature, spending time in the bleachers of Tiger Stadium as a kid, seeing his rookie card for the first time and enjoying the music of Eminem.
