Slick Moves and a Golden Glove: Why Andy Van Slyke Was My Favorite Player

Growing up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania in the early '90s, summers meant baseball and for me, Andy Van Slyke was everything.

While other kids picked Barry Bonds or Bobby Bonilla, I was always Van Slyke.
Whether we were playing pickup games in the backyard or diving for fly balls in the park, I tried to mimic everything he did... the smooth left-handed swing, the fearless diving catches, even the way he threw the ball backhanded between innings at Three Rivers Stadium.
Andy Van Slyke wasn’t just a great Pirate... he was my favorite player.

But even beyond my childhood memories, Van Slyke's career in Pittsburgh is a story every Yinzer should know. He was the perfect blend of talent, heart, and swagger that made him one of the city's most beloved sports figures.

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From Upstate New York to the Majors

Born in Utica, New York in 1960, Andy Van Slyke wasn’t a typical baseball prodigy.
Cold weather limited his playing time growing up, but pure athleticism pushed him into the spotlight  and the St. Louis Cardinals made him the 6th overall pick in the 1979 MLB Draft.

He moved quickly through the minors, debuting in the big leagues by 1983.
In St. Louis, Van Slyke’s cannon arm and speed made him a fit for Whitey Herzog’s "Whiteyball" system... all about defense, hustle, and smart baseball.

But even as he made plays and flashed potential, Van Slyke never felt like the Cardinals saw him as an everyday star.
That feeling would set the stage for one of the most important trades in Pirates history.

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April 1, 1987: The Trade That Changed Everything

On April Fools' Day, 1987, Van Slyke, catcher Mike LaValliere, and pitcher Mike Dunne were traded to Pittsburgh for fan favorite Tony Peña.
At first, Andy thought it was a joke  but it turned out to be the opportunity he had always wanted.

In Pittsburgh, Van Slyke finally got the everyday role he craved.
And for Pirates fans like me, it was the beginning of something special.

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The Center of the Pirates' Resurgence

With Van Slyke in center, Barry Bonds in left, and Bobby Bonilla in right, the Pirates built one of the most exciting outfields in baseball.
Van Slyke quickly became the anchor... the heart of a team that captured the city's imagination.

Between 1987 and 1994, he racked up:

• 5 Gold Gloves for his defensive brilliance
• 3 All-Star appearances
• 2 Silver Slugger Awards
• A batting title chase in 1992 (.324 average, 199 hits)

He led by example... whether gunning down runners with pinpoint throws, stretching doubles into triples, or simply hustling on every play.
The "Slyke Zone" in center field became legendary: runners just stopped testing him.

As a kid watching, I hung on every catch and every throw.
I'll never forget one game in particular — in September 1992, when a family friend (recently called up by the Mets) got us tickets to see the Pirates play the Mets.
It was the night they clinched their third straight NL East title, and the energy at Three Rivers Stadium was like nothing I’d ever felt.

Before the game, our friend got introduced to Van Slyke in the outfield  and I sat there, 11 years old, absolutely dripping with jealousy.
Seeing him up close, laughing, talking with my friend, made Van Slyke feel even larger than life. That day is etched in my memory forever.

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The Glory... and the Heartbreak

For three years — 1990, 1991, and 1992 — the Pirates were kings of the National League East.

But postseason glory always stayed just out of reach.

The 1992 NLCS Game 7  the Sid Bream play... remains one of Pittsburgh's greatest heartbreaks.
Van Slyke, ever the team leader, had even motioned for Bonds to move in before the fatal hit... a small detail that added to the bitter frustration.

As a fan, it was devastating. But looking back now, that era still feels magical and Andy Van Slyke was right at the center of it.

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Beyond the Field

After leaving the Pirates, Van Slyke had short stints with the Orioles and Phillies before retiring in 1995.
He later coached for teams like the Tigers and Mariners, authored two books, and stayed connected to the game.
His son, Scott Van Slyke, even made the majors, carrying the family legacy forward.

But no matter where life took him after baseball, for Pittsburgh fans, and for me personally, Van Slyke will always be frozen in time:
Grinning behind his glove after a diving catch, pumping his fist after a clutch hit, turning center field into his personal playground.

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Why He’s Still My Favorite

Andy Van Slyke wasn’t just a great player  he represented everything I loved about baseball growing up:

• Effort
• Excellence
• A little bit of flash

He made the game fun. He made you believe.
And he gave kids like me someone to look up to on the ballfield and beyond.

In a town that appreciates hustle and heart, it's no wonder that decades later, Van Slyke still holds a permanent spot among Pittsburgh's all-time favorites.

For me, he always will.

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Final Thought

Thanks, Andy, for the memories, the magic, and the moments that made a kid from Johnstown dream a little bigger.
You’ll always be my favorite Pirate.