Editing Tony Clark

{{short description|American baseball player and union leader (born 1972)}}
{{Other people|Tony Clark}}
{{Missing information|Information about his early career with the Tigers|date=March 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| name        = Tony Clark
| image       = Tony Clark May 2008 (cropped).jpg
| caption     = Clark with the San Diego Padres in 2008
| position    = [[First baseman]]
| bats        = Switch
| throws      = Right
| birth_date  = {{Birth date and age|1972|6|15}}
| birth_place = [[Newton, Kansas]], U.S.
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate   = September 3
| debutyear   = 1995
| debutteam   = Detroit Tigers
|finalleague = MLB
| finaldate   = July 12
| finalyear   = 2009
| finalteam   = Arizona Diamondbacks
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label  = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| stat1value  = .262
| stat2label  = [[Home run]]s
| stat2value  = 251
| stat3label  = [[Runs batted in]]
| stat3value  = 824
| teams       =
* [[Detroit Tigers]] ({{mlby|1995}}–{{mlby|2001}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|2002}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|2003}})
* [[New York Yankees]] ({{mlby|2004}})
* [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] ({{mlby|2005}}–{{mlby|2007}})
* [[San Diego Padres]]  ({{mlby|2008}})
* [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2009}})
| awards      =
* [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2001]])
}}
'''Anthony Christopher Clark''' (born June 15, 1972) is an American professional [[baseball]] player and executive. He played in [[Major League Baseball]] as a [[first baseman]] from 1995 to 2009 and is the sixth executive director of the [[Major League Baseball Players Association]] (MLBPA), a position he has held since 2013.

Clark had his best years <!--in terms of WAR--> with the [[Detroit Tigers]] (1995–2001), but also played on the [[Boston Red Sox]], [[New York Mets]], [[New York Yankees]], [[Arizona Diamondbacks]], and [[San Diego Padres]] during a 15-year career that ended in 2009.  He was a [[switch hitter]], and threw [[Right-handedness|right-handed]].  He was third in Rookie of the Year voting in 1996, and was an All Star in 2001.

Clark was a union representative while he was a player, and after retiring he joined the staff of the MLBPA in 2010.<ref name="AP131203"/>  He served as deputy executive director and acting executive director of the union before he was appointed executive director in December 2013, upon the death of [[Michael Weiner (executive)|Michael Weiner]].<ref name="AP131203"/>  Clark is the first former player to be executive director of the MLBPA.<ref name="AP131203"/>

==Amateur career==
Clark prepped at [[Valhalla High School (El Cajon, California)|Valhalla High School]] in [[El Cajon, California]], but after going out to dinner with principal Ed Giles and others,<ref>{{cite web|date=1989-06-29|title=CIF Rules 'Recruited' Athletes Not Eligible at Christian|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1989-06-29-sp-3430-story.html|access-date=2021-11-12|website=Los Angeles Times|language=en-US}}</ref> Clark transferred to nearby [[Christian High School San Diego|Christian High School]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.maxpreps.com/news/article.aspx?articleid=c6163cea-cc97-43f9-b24a-fa5b42d1d84f |title=California: El Cajon Valley Ends Helix Hex |first=Bill |last=Dickens |publisher=Max Preps |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> He averaged 43.7 points per game in basketball in his senior season.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20050124&content_id=933886&vkey=pr_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari |title=Diamondbacks sign Tony Clark to one-year deal |publisher=Arizona Diamondbacks |date=January 24, 2005 |access-date=May 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505234539/http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20050124&content_id=933886&vkey=pr_ari&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari |archive-date=May 5, 2014 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

Clark played [[college basketball]] at the [[University of Arizona]] and [[San Diego State University]], where he was the [[San Diego State Aztecs men's basketball|San Diego State Aztecs]]' top scorer with 11.5 points per game in 1991–92.<ref name="MLB">{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/team/player.jsp?player_id=112316 |publisher=[[Major League Baseball]] |title=Tony Clark biography |access-date=April 6, 2010}}</ref> Clark left college (and ended his basketball career) without finishing his business administration degree in order to focus on baseball.<ref name="trenton">{{cite news|last1=Franklin|first1=Paul|title=Tony Clark was a huge hit with the Trenton Thunder|url=http://www.nj.com/times-sports/index.ssf/2013/04/tony_clark_was_a_huge_hit_with.html|access-date=16 January 2018|work=NJ.com|date=April 10, 2013}}</ref>

==Professional baseball career==
In a 15-year career, Clark hit .262 with 251 [[home run]]s and 824 [[run batted in]] (RBIs) in 1,559 [[games played]].

===Detroit Tigers===
The [[Detroit Tigers]] selected Clark out of high school with the second overall pick in the [[1990 MLB draft]].<ref>{{cite web|author=By RICHARD L. SHOOK UPI Sports Writer |url=https://www.upi.com/Archives/1990/06/04/Tigers-draft-Tony-Clark/9654644472000/ |title=Tigers draft Tony Clark - UPI Archives |publisher=Upi.com |date=1990-06-04 |accessdate=2022-11-29}}</ref> He played in [[Minor League Baseball]] while attending college and playing college basketball.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Svrluga|first1=Barry|title=How Tony Clark made his way from the ballfield to the board room|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/sports/wp/2016/02/28/how-tony-clark-made-his-way-from-the-ballfield-to-the-board-room/|access-date=16 January 2018|newspaper=[[Washington Post]]|date=28 February 2016}}</ref>

He was third in [[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]] voting in 1996 when he hit .250 with 27 home runs.

His most productive seasons were 1997, with 32 HRs and 117 RBIs (10 errors at first base), 1998, with 34 HRs and 103 RBIs (13 errors at first), and 1999, with 31 HRs and 99 RBIs (10 errors at first).

Clark was selected an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] in 2001.

===Boston Red Sox and New York Mets===
With Clark eligible for [[salary arbitration]] and expected to earn $7&nbsp;million for the 2002 season, the Tigers placed Clark on [[waivers (baseball)|waivers]], and he was claimed by the [[Boston Red Sox]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.capecodtimes.com/story/sports/2001/12/02/red-sox-get-clark-on/50672157007/ |title=Red sox get clark on waivers |publisher=Capecodtimes.com |date= |accessdate=2022-11-29}}</ref> In 2002, Clark hit only .207 with 29 RBIs and three HRs for Boston in 90 games, with a career-low .291 slugging percentage. A [[free agent]] after the 2002 season, Clark signed a one-year contract with the [[New York Mets]] for the 2003 season.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2003/03/19/sports/baseball-clark-a-fit-for-the-mets-in-the-big-and-tall-shop.html|title=BASEBALL; Clark a Fit for the Mets In the Big and Tall Shop|newspaper=The New York Times|first=Charlie|last=Nobles|date=March 19, 2003|access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> In 2003, he batted .232 for the Mets.

===New York Yankees===
Signed as a bench player, Clark filled in for the [[New York Yankees]] in 2004 after [[Jason Giambi]] was forced out of the [[Batting order (baseball)|lineup]] because of an injury, though he was replaced as the main first baseman by [[John Olerud]] late in the season. During an August 28 game, Clark hit a career-high three home runs in an 18–6 rout of the [[Toronto Blue Jays|Blue Jays]] in Toronto.

===Arizona Diamondbacks===
[[Image:Tony Clark.jpg|thumb|Clark with the Diamondbacks in 2007]]
Clark signed with the [[Arizona Diamondbacks]] after the 2004 season. In a limited role (349 [[at bat]]s) in the 2005 season, he hit .307 with 30 home runs, and 87 RBIs.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/c/clarkto02.shtml|title=Tony Clark|publisher=Baseball Reference|access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref>

In 2006, Clark was injured for most of the season. Although he tried to play through a shoulder injury that required significant surgery to repair, he batted a career-low .197, with a career-low .279 on-base percentage, in 132 at-bats. He struggled especially against right-handers, batting .125 against them. In 2007, Clark shared first base with [[Conor Jackson]]. He played in 113 games and batted .249.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tony Clark Stats |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clarkto02.shtml |website=baseball-reference.com |publisher=Sports-Reference, LLC. |access-date=2 August 2024}}</ref>

===San Diego Padres===
After the season, his contract was up and on February 10, 2008, Clark agreed to a one-year contract worth $900,000 with the [[San Diego Padres]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/sports/padres/20080210-9999-1s10bbnotes.html|title=Clark, Padres agree on contract|first=Tom|last=Krasovic|date=February 10, 2008|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune|access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> On July 17, 2008, he was traded back to the Diamondbacks for minor league [[pitcher]] [[Evan Scribner]]. In order to complete the trade, Clark waived a clause under his contract with the Padres pursuant to which he was to receive $500,000 from the Padres if traded.<ref name="return">{{cite news|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3493542|title=Clark waives trade bonus in return to Arizona|date=July 17, 2008|access-date=May 5, 2014|agency=ESPN.com news services}}</ref>

In 2008, between the two teams, Clark batted .225 with a .318 slugging percentage.  Clark struck out more than a third of the time, with 55 strikeouts in 151 at-bats.  He struggled especially against right-handers, batting .198 against them.

===Return to Arizona===
Clark filed for free agency after the 2008 season. On January 2, 2009, he signed a one-year deal worth $800,000 to remain with the Diamondbacks.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090102&content_id=3731469&vkey=hotstove2008&fext=.jsp|title=Clark to remain with D-backs in '09|access-date=January 2, 2009|author=Steve Gilbert|author-link=MLB.com|date=January 2, 2009|work=MLB.com}}</ref>

Clark had a startling good performance on [[Opening Day]] 2009, hitting 2 home runs to lead the D-Backs to a victory over the [[Colorado Rockies]]; fellow switch-hitting teammate [[Felipe López (baseball)|Felipe López]] also homered from both sides of the plate in the same game, making them the first teammates to do so on an Opening Day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090406&content_id=4138364&vkey=recap&fext=.jsp&c_id=ari|title=Homer-happy D-backs outslug Rox|publisher=Arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140116144502/http://arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090406&content_id=4138364&vkey=recap&c_id=ari&fext=.jsp|archive-date=January 16, 2014|url-status=dead|df=mdy-all}}</ref>

Clark slumped badly thereafter, however, as in his next 18 at-bats he only managed to eke out a single. As of May 6 he was batting .179, and had struck out in more than half his at bats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/3352/tony-clark|title=Tony Clark Game By Game Stats and Performance – ESPN|publisher=[[ESPN]]|date=July 12, 2009|access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> That day Clark was placed on the 15-day [[disabled list]] for a lingering wrist [[ligament]] injury, and [[Josh Whitesell]], who was hitting .356 for the [[Reno Aces]] with a .477 on-base percentage, was called up to the Diamondbacks to take his place.<ref>{{cite web|author=Daniel Chann|url=http://www.kolotv.com/sports/headlines/44490102.html|title=Aces' Whitesell Called Up To Arizona Diamondbacks|publisher=Kolotv.com|date=May 6, 2009|access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-date=July 17, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110717181456/http://www.kolotv.com/sports/headlines/44490102.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=MLB&id=1270&line=262042&spln=1|title=Fantasy Baseball Breaking News|publisher=Rotoworld.com|access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Tyler Bassett|url=http://ktar.com/?sid=1152178&nid=184|title=D-backs recall Whitesell; Clark placed on the DL |publisher=ktar.com |access-date=May 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140114224237/http://ktar.com/?sid=1152178&nid=184|archive-date=January 14, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>  Clark suffered the injury during [[spring training]], and re-aggravated it in late April, leaving him unable to swing comfortably from the left side. It was anticipated that the injury could require more than 15 days to heal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rotoworld.com/content/playerpages/playerbreakingnews.asp?sport=MLB&id=2155&line=262063&spln=1|title=Fantasy Baseball Breaking News|publisher=Rotoworld.com|access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref>

On June 19 Clark came off the disabled list and returned to Arizona (after a rehab assignment at Reno in which he batted .160, and during which he turned 37), and Whitesell was optioned back to Reno (after batting .300 with a .447 on-base percentage in his second stint with the team).<ref>[https://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jcVzoFe3V3-HT91U9El4mvRvja5wD98U41CG0]{{dead link|date=June 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.azsnakepit.com/2009/6/15/910371/demons-and-angels-the-best-and|title=Demons and Angels: the best and worst Diamondbacks from the past 28 days|date=June 15, 2009|publisher=AZ Snake Pit|access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref> In his first game back with the team, Clark went 0–3 with 2 strikeouts to bring his batting average down to .161, with strikeouts in 55% of his at bats for the season.

Clark struggled on defense as well, as on June 21 in his second game back he dropped a throw to him at first base with two outs in the ninth, allowing the winning run to score for [[Seattle Mariners|Seattle]].<ref name="tvsportsdaily1">{{cite web|url=http://tvsportsdaily.com/article.php?story%3D2009062207152170|access-date=June 23, 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090731142414/http://tvsportsdaily.com/article.php?story=2009062207152170|archive-date=July 31, 2009|title=Sports Recap|publisher=TV Sports Daily|author=Chase Johnson}}</ref> The play left players and managers on both sides stunned and speechless.<ref name="tvsportsdaily1"/> "It's a miserable ending to a rough road trip", manager A. J. Hinch said.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gamecenter/preview/MLB_20090623_TEX@ARI|title=MLB Baseball|publisher=CBSSports.com|access-date=May 5, 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140505231123/http://www.cbssports.com/mlb/gamecenter/preview/MLB_20090623_TEX%40ARI|archive-date=May 5, 2014|df=mdy}}</ref> His resulting .973 fielding percentage was last among major league first basemen who had played 60 or more innings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/stats/fielding?groupId=9&season=2009&seasonType=2&split=79&sortOrder=true&sortColumn=fieldingPct&qualified=0|title=2014 Regular Season MLB Baseball 1B Fielding Statistics – Major League Baseball – ESPN|publisher=[[ESPN]]|access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref>

On July 12, 2009, the Diamondbacks released Clark, who was hitting .182 with four home runs and 11 RBIs. They replaced him with Whitesell. Clark said he would continue to work out the next few weeks in the event an opportunity might arise with another team, and that if he didn't land with another team he'd consider broadcasting and coaching, perhaps with the Diamondbacks. Diamondbacks General Manager [[Josh Byrnes]] expressed an interest in keeping him with the organization, and Clark said he "would welcome the opportunity."<ref>{{cite web|last=Piecoro|first=Nick|url=http://www.azcentral.com/sports/diamondbacks/articles/2009/07/13/20090713dbclark0714.html|title=Clark not stunned by release|publisher=Azcentral.com|date=July 13, 2009|access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref>

===Post-Season===
Clark played in four post-season series through 2008, two each for the Yankees and the Diamondbacks. In aggregate, he batted .135, with a .158 on-base percentage and a .189 slugging percentage, and drove in one run in 37 at-bats.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/clarkto02.shtml|title=Tony Clark Statistics and History|publisher=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref>

==MLB Players Association==

[[File:2016 MLB at Fort Bragg 160703-A-AP748-180.jpg|thumb|250px|Clark ''(left)'', [[Lieutenant general|Lt. Gen.]] [[Stephen J. Townsend]] ''(center)'', and [[Rob Manfred]] ''(right)'' before the [[Fort Bragg Game]] in 2016]]

Throughout his playing career, Clark was involved in the [[Major League Baseball Players Association]] (MLBPA) on various levels. He attended an executive board meeting for the first time in 1999 and was a team player representative and association representative for several seasons following. He was an active participant in the union's [[collective bargaining]] in 2002 and 2006 and in negotiations regarding [[Major League Baseball drug policy|Major League Baseball's drug policy]]. In March 2010, Clark was hired to be the MLBPA's Director of Player Relations.<ref name="dpr">{{cite news|title=Tony Clark Joins MLBPA as Director of Player Relations|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/pa/pdf/20100310_clark_joins_staff.pdf|access-date=28 January 2018|date=March 10, 2010}}</ref>

It was reported in April 2013 that Clark was close to earning a degree in history and planned to potentially pursue a [[Juris Doctor]] degree.<ref name="trenton" /> Following the death of [[Michael Weiner (executive)|Michael Weiner]], Clark was unanimously voted executive director of Major League Baseball Players Association in December 2013. He became the first former major league player to hold the position.<ref name="AP131203">{{cite news |url=https://news.yahoo.com/clark-1st-ex-big-leaguer-run-mlb-players-224007260--spt.html |title=Clark 1st ex-big leaguer to run MLB players' union |agency=Associated Press |first=Bernie |last=Wilson |date=December 3, 2013 |access-date=May 5, 2014}}</ref>

Clark led the MLBPA negotiations during the [[2021–22 Major League Baseball lockout|2021-22 MLB lockout]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/33470321/sources-mlb-union-reach-tentative-agreement-new-cba-salvage-162-game-season|title=MLB owners vote to ratify CBA, ending lockout|date=March 10, 2022|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>

During the 2022 season, Clark and the MLBPA worked to unionize minor league baseball players.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-baseball-major-league-players-association-aba5a04d083d5049716d907f4ca0d3b2 |title=MLB players' association trying to unionize minor leaguers |publisher=AP News |date=2022-08-29 |accessdate=2022-11-29}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/34593451/minor-league-baseball-players-officially-join-mlbpa-historic-move|title=Minor league players unionize in 'historic' move|date=September 14, 2022|website=ESPN.com}}</ref>
In September 2022, the MLBPA joined the [[AFL-CIO]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/mlb-sports-baseball-afl-cio-65ccb541a9f16cecf6e2f6df20bbd9a8 |title=Major League Baseball Players Association joins AFL-CIO |publisher=AP News |date=2022-09-07 |accessdate=2022-11-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/12/sports/baseball/tony-clark-mlbpa-union.html |title=How Tony Clark Keeps M.L.B.'s Union Moving Forward - The New York Times |work=[[The New York Times]] |date= September 12, 2022|accessdate=2022-11-29|last1=Miller |first1=Scott }}</ref> After the 2022 season, the MLBPA extended Clark's contract by five years.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theathletic.com/3943150/2022/11/29/tony-clark-mlb-players-union/ |title=Tony Clark's 'transformational year,' evolution as MLBPA leader brings 5-year extension |publisher=The Athletic |date= |accessdate=2022-11-29}}</ref>

==Nickname==
During his time in Detroit, fans and the media gave Clark the nickname "Tony the Tiger." The nickname came from the [[Frosted Flakes]] mascot [[Tony the Tiger]] and that he was a member of the [[Detroit Tigers]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Tony Clark Baseball Stats |url=https://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=clarkto02 |website=Baseball Almanac |access-date=16 February 2022}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Clark and his wife, Frances, have one son. They reside in [[Phoenix, Arizona]], having previously lived in [[New York (state)|New York]].<ref>{{cite web | last=Nightengale | first=Bob | title=Baseball players union chief Tony Clark hopeful for games in 2020 | website=USA TODAY | date=2020-04-15 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/mlb/columnist/bob-nightengale/2020/04/15/baseball-players-union-chief-tony-clark-hopeful-games-2020/5141102002/ | access-date=2025-04-03}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Baseballstats |mlb=112316 |espn=5513 |br=c/clarkto02 |fangraphs=182 |brm=}}

{{1990 MLB Draft}}
{{Detroit Tigers first-round draft picks}}
{{MLB Network}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Baseball}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Clark, Tony}}
[[Category:1972 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:People from Newton, Kansas]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball first basemen]]
[[Category:Detroit Tigers players]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox players]]
[[Category:New York Mets players]]
[[Category:New York Yankees players]]
[[Category:Arizona Diamondbacks players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres players]]
[[Category:San Diego State Aztecs baseball players]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Kansas]]
[[Category:African-American baseball players]]
[[Category:Bristol Tigers players]]
[[Category:Niagara Falls Rapids players]]
[[Category:Lakeland Tigers players]]
[[Category:Trenton Thunder players]]
[[Category:St. Lucie Mets players]]
[[Category:Toledo Mud Hens players]]
[[Category:Tucson Sidewinders players]]
[[Category:Reno Aces players]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from El Cajon, California]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Phoenix, Arizona]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Glendale, Arizona]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball Players Association executive directors]]
[[Category:MLB Network personalities]]
[[Category:Activists from California]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:African-American trade unionists]]