Jeffrey Newman - Oakland A's

Oakland A's

Newman was called up to the majors in June 1976, and spent the rest of the season backing up Gene Tenace behind the plate. After backing up Manny Sanguillén in 1977, he moved into a platoon with Jim Essian from 1978 through 1980, while also backing up Dave Revering at first base. He was batting .229 with sixteen home runs and 52 RBIs when he was selected by AL manager Bob Lemon as Oakland's sole representative at the 1979 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. For the season, he hit 22 home runs and drove in 71 runs, both career highs.

Newman was involved in the first of two bench clearing brawls with Lenny Randle and the Seattle Mariners on April 19, 1981. The A's won the first half of the strike shortened season with a 37-23 record to return to the postseason for the first time since 1975. In his only career trip to the postseason, Newman went hitless in nine plate appearances in the American League West division series and ALCS.

At the start of the 1982 Winter Meetings, the A's sent Newman and outfielder Tony Armas to the Boston Red Sox for Carney Lansford, Garry Hancock and minor leaguer Jerry King.