Alaska Sports Hall of Fame

Cliff Anderson

Kodiak’s Cliff Anderson carried a big bat in 1997 with the Single-A San Bernardino Stampede, clubbing 21 home runs and a state record 40 doubles in 132 games.

The 5-foot-8, 165-pound left-handed hitting third baseman batted .273 and added 79 RBIs, 77 runs and five triples. His 125 hits are tied for the most for an Alaskan in a professional season.

Anderson, of Kodiak High fame, was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 39th round of the 1992 MLB Amateur Draft from Chapman University in California.

He played seven seasons of pro ball, twice advancing as far as Triple-A in 1996 and 1998. He’s one of only eight Alaskans to play Triple-A or better.

Anderson is one of Alaska’s greatest hitters of all-time, trailing only Jamar Hill in several offensive categories, including games (635), hits (546), runs (287), home runs (54) and RBIs (293).

In 1996, he played for Single-A San Bernardino, Double-A San Antonio and Triple-A Albuquerque. He hit a respectable .253 in 112 career games at the Triple-A level.

Defensively, Anderson played multiple positions at the pro level, ranging from third base to second base to shortstop to the outfield.

Friday Flashback is a series created by Alaska Sports Hall of Fame blog editor Van Williams that looks back on great Alaska athletes from the past. To read about other Alaskans featured in this series, click here.