Fan mail address
Steve Balboni
120 Deer Run
Watchung, NJ 07069-5937
USA
Address information
(Home Address)
120 Deer Run
Watchung, NJ 07069-5937
USA
Steve Balboni, a former Major League Baseball (MLB) player, was a power-hitting first baseman and designated hitter known for his impressive home run power, especially with the Kansas City Royals. Born on January 16, 1957, in Brockton, Massachusetts, he played college baseball at Eckerd College in Florida before being drafted by the New York Yankees in the second round of the 1978 MLB Draft. Nicknamed “Bye Bye” Balboni for his home run prowess, he quickly made a name for himself in the minors with prodigious power numbers, although he was also known for striking out frequently.
Balboni made his MLB debut with the Yankees in 1981, but it was with the Kansas City Royals that he became most famous. He joined the Royals in 1984, and the following year, he set a franchise record by hitting 36 home runs, a mark that stood until 2017. Balboni helped lead the Royals to their first World Series championship that season, contributing key hits during their historic 1985 playoff run. Although he never hit for a high average, his home runs and run production were invaluable to the Royals’ lineup in the mid-1980s.
Throughout his career, Balboni played for the New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, and Texas Rangers, before retiring in 1993. He finished his career with 181 home runs and a .229 batting average over 11 MLB seasons. After retiring, Balboni remained involved in baseball, working as a scout and in player development roles. Known for his unique place in baseball history as a symbol of power-hitting in the pre-steroid era, Balboni is fondly remembered by Royals fans for his role in their 1985 championship season.
