Naquin Opens World Series Play Tuesday

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Continuing his prolific rookie campaign, former Texas A&M outfielder Tyler Naquin begins action in his first World Series Tuesday as the Cleveland Indians host the Chicago Cubs at Progressive Field.
 
In his rookie campaign with the Indians, Naquin batted .296 with 18 doubles, five triples, 14 home runs and 43 RBI in 116 games.
 
In the postseason Naquin has played in six games, logging two RBI in the AL Division Series against the Boston Red Sox and two doubles in the AL Championship Series against the Toronto Blue Jays.
 
Naquin joins seven former Texas A&M players to play in the World Series, including Michael Wacha, Chuck Knoblauch, Mark Thurmond, Doug Rau, Davey Johnson, Wally Moon and Rip Collins. Three Aggies have won a combined nine World Series titles, including Knoblauch (four), Johnson (three) and Moon (two).
 
Wacha is the most recent Aggie to play in the World Series, pitching for the St. Louis Cardinals in 2013.
 
Chuck Knoblauch leads all Aggies with five World Series appearances and four titles. He won a crown with the Twins in 1991 and three consecutive championships with the Yankees from 1998-2000. He also lost a World Series with the Yankees in 2001.
 
Mark Thurmond played for the 1984 edition of the San Diego Padres who lost to the Detroit Tigers in the World Series.
 
Davey Johnson appeared in four World Series, winning the 1966 edition with the Los Angeles Dodgers and the '70 and '71 titles with the Baltimore Orioles. He lost the '69 World Series as a member of the Orioles.
 
Wally Moon won world titles with the Dodgers in 1959 and '65.
 
Doug Rau was on the losing end of the World Series with the Dodgers in 1977 and '78.
 
Rip Collins was the first Aggie to appear in a World Series, as a member of the 1921 Yankees who lost to the New York Giants.
 
Naquin, who appeared in 50 Triple-A games last season, lit up the Cactus League this spring to earn a spot on the Indians' opening day roster. He batted .397 in Arizona with 14 runs, three doubles, three triples, four home runs and seven RBI in 22 games. Last season, he appeared destined for his major league debut before sustaining a hand injury making a heroic defensive play.
 
He earned All-America status from multiple media outlets following the 2012 campaign at Texas A&M. Naquin garnered second team accolades from the NCBWA and the American Baseball Coaches' Association/Rawlings while being named a third teamer by Collegiate Baseball/Louisville Slugger and Baseball America.
 
Naquin finished his junior campaign in 2012 with a Big 12-best .380 batting average to go along with team highs in runs (56), doubles (18) and triples (6). Additionally, the rifle-armed outfielder drove in 49 runs while stealing a career-best 21 bases.
 
The Spring, Texas, native led the country in hits in 2011 with 104, batting .381 for the year with 23 doubles and seven triples to earn Big 12 Player of the Year accolades. He also picked up Collegiate Baseball and ABCA All-America honors that season.
 
For his college career the outfielder was a consistent run-producer, scoring 153 runs and driving in 112 with 69 extra base hits during 187 career games. In addition to his outstanding credentials at the plate, Naquin's strong arm all but neutralized opponents' running games as he collected 17 career outfield assists.