Tabler graduated from St. Mary\'s Elementary school in Hyde Park Ohio then Archbishop McNicholas High School in Cincinnati. Tabler was a first round draft pick of the New York Yankees (sixteenth overall) in 1976, and entered the organization as an outfielder, but he never reached the majors with the Yankees and on August 19, 1981, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs for players to be named later (the Cubs sent Bill Caudill and Jay Howell to the Yankees in 1982 to complete the transaction).\n', '

Tabler made his debut with the Cubs in 1981 as a second baseman, hitting .188 in 35 games. In 1982, the Cubs moved him to third base and he hit .235 while playing in 25 games.\n', '

In 1983, he was traded to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Jerry Dybzinski and became their starting first baseman. That year he hit .291 in 124 games. He became quickly known as a line drive hitter and continued to have modest success at the plate. His best season was in 1987 when he became an all-star, hitting .307 with 11 home runs and 86 runs batted in. Along with first base he was well suited for the designated hitter role he inherited from Andre Thornton in 1987. He gained attention for his amazing success in bases-loaded situations: 43 for 88 (.489) with 108 RBI. and was even recognized and nicknamed "Mr. Clutch" on his 1986 Donruss baseball card (#129) as well. He played in Cleveland until 1988, when he was traded to the Kansas City Royals for pitcher Bud Black.\n', '

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