Alan
Anthony Wiggins (February 17, 1958 – January 6, 1991) was an American
professional baseball player. He was a second baseman and outfielder in Major
League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres and Baltimore Orioles between
1981 and 1987. A speedy leadoff hitter, Wiggins had his best season with the
pennant-winning Padres in 1984. He batted one slot in the lineup ahead of Tony
Gwynn that year, and the pair's offensive production helped the Padres win the
National League Championship Series (NLCS) and advance to the World Series.
Wiggins grew up in California and attended Pasadena City College before
being drafted by the California Angels in 1977. He played in the minor league
systems of the Angels and the Los Angeles Dodgers, setting a professional
baseball single-season record with 120 stolen bases in 1980. He made his major
league debut with the San Diego Padres in 1981, and he became a regular player
within two years. In 1983 he set the Padres' single-season stolen base record,
a mark that he extended the following season. His 1984 stolen bases total (70)
is still a team record as of 2017.
During his major league career, Wiggins struggled with drug addiction,
which resulted in several arrests and suspensions from baseball. His drug
problems prompted a 1985 trade from San Diego to Baltimore, where Wiggins
spent three seasons. After leaving baseball, he was diagnosed with AIDS, and
he was the first MLB player known to die of the disease.
Wiggins met his wife Angela when they were in junior high school, and they
both graduated from John Muir High School.[61]
The Los Angeles Times reported that Wiggins had experienced marital
strife, but that he would not entertain the thought of divorce; he wanted to
ensure that his children did not grow up in a single-parent household as he
had.[3]
Two of Wiggins' three children became professional basketball players.
Candice, an All-American at Stanford University, joined the Minnesota Lynx as
the third overall pick in the 2008 WNBA draft. She has served as a
spokesperson for the Greater Than AIDS campaign.[62]
Alan Jr. played at the University of San Francisco and professionally in
several countries.[63]
His oldest daughter, Cassandra, played college basketball at New York
University.[64]
My published books:
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