1.
Major League Baseball
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Major League Baseball is a professional baseball organization, the oldest of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. A total of 30 teams now play in the National League and American League, the NL and AL operated as separate legal entities from 1876 and 1901 respectively. After cooperating but remaining legally separate entities since 1903, the merged into a single organization led by the Commissioner of Baseball in 2000. The organization also oversees Minor League Baseball, which comprises about 240 teams affiliated with the Major League clubs, with the World Baseball Softball Confederation, MLB manages the international World Baseball Classic tournament. Baseballs first professional team was founded in Cincinnati in 1869,30 years after Abner Doubleday supposedly invented the game of baseball, the first few decades of professional baseball were characterized by rivalries between leagues and by players who often jumped from one team or league to another. The period before 1920 in baseball was known as the dead-ball era, Baseball survived a conspiracy to fix the 1919 World Series, which came to be known as the Black Sox Scandal. The sport rose in popularity in the 1920s, and survived potential downturns during the Great Depression, shortly after the war, baseballs color barrier was broken by Jackie Robinson. The 1950s and 1960s were a time of expansion for the AL and NL, then new stadiums, Home runs dominated the game during the 1990s, and media reports began to discuss the use of anabolic steroids among Major League players in the mid-2000s. In 2006, an investigation produced the Mitchell Report, which implicated many players in the use of performance-enhancing substances, today, MLB is composed of thirty teams, twenty-nine in the United States and one in Canada. Baseball broadcasts are aired on television, radio, and the Internet throughout North America, MLB has the highest season attendance of any sports league in the world with more than 73 million spectators in 2015. MLB is governed by the Major League Baseball Constitution and this document has undergone several incarnations since 1875, with the most recent revisions being made in 2012. Under the direction of the Commissioner of Baseball, MLB hires and maintains the sports umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, MLB maintains a unique, controlling relationship over the sport, including most aspects of Minor League Baseball. This ruling has been weakened only slightly in subsequent years, the weakened ruling granted more stability to the owners of teams and has resulted in values increasing at double-digit rates. There were several challenges to MLBs primacy in the sport between the 1870s and the Federal League in 1916, the last attempt at a new league was the aborted Continental League in 1960. The chief executive of MLB is the commissioner, Rob Manfred, the chief operating officer is Tony Petitti. There are five other executives, president, chief officer, chief legal officer, chief financial officer. The multimedia branch of MLB, which is based in Manhattan, is MLB Advanced Media and this branch oversees MLB. com and each of the 30 teams websites. Its charter states that MLB Advanced Media holds editorial independence from the league, MLB Productions is a similarly structured wing of the league, focusing on video and traditional broadcast media
2.
Greg Holland
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Gregory Scott Holland is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball. He previously played for Kansas City Royals, Holland is a two-time All-Star and won the Mariano Rivera Award in 2014. While at Western Carolina University, he went 10-12 with a 4.34 ERA from 2005-2007 and he was signed by scout Steve Connelly. Holland began his career in 2007, making 22 relief appearances for the Idaho Falls Chukars and going 6-1 with a 3.48 ERA. In 2008, he pitched for the Wilmington Blue Rocks, going 4-5 with a 3.42 ERA in 32 games and he split 2009 between the Northwest Arkansas Naturals and Omaha Royals, going a combined 4-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 35 relief appearances. Holland began the 2010 season with the Omaha Royals, going 3-3 with a 3.81 ERA in 36 relief appearances for them overall. He was promoted to the majors on July 29,2010 and made 15 relief appearances for the Kansas City Royals, going 0-1 with 23 strikeouts and a 6.75 ERA in 18 2⁄3 innings. Holland started out 2011 in Omaha again, but was called up again in May and he pitched in 46 games for the big league club that season, going 5-1 with a 1.80 ERA. He allowed only 37 hits and struck out 74 batters in 60 innings, at the minor league level, he was 2-0 with a 2.08 ERA in 13 relief appearances that season. Holland had a season in 2012, going 7-4 with 16 saves,91 strikeouts. He assumed closing duties when Jonathan Broxton, who began the season as the closer, was traded to the Cincinnati Reds in July 31. He also pitched in two games at the league level that year. In 2013 Holland sustained his best season in the majors and he became the Royals full-time closer and converted 47 of 50 save Opportunities. On September 26,2013, Holland set the Royals single season record with his 46th save in a 3-2 win over the Chicago White Sox. He surpassed Dan Quisenberry and Jeff Montgomery who both had 45 save seasons, Holland had his second straight All-Star year in 2014, converting 46 of 48 save opportunities while compiling a 1.44 ERA. He appeared in eight games in the leading up to the Royals World Series appearance, posting a 1.13 ERA over 8 innings. He tied a series record by saving 4 games in the ALCS. On October 22 Holland earned the inaugural Mariano Rivera Award for his performance as a closer
3.
National League
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Both leagues currently have 15 teams. The two league champions of 1903 arranged to compete against each other in the inaugural World Series, after the 1904 champions failed to reach a similar agreement, the two leagues formalized the World Series as an arrangement between the leagues. National League teams have won 48 of the 112 World Series contested from 1903 to 2016, the 2016 National League champions are the Chicago Cubs. By 1875, the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players was dangerously weak, additionally, Hulbert had a problem—five of his star players were threatened with expulsion from the NAPBBP because Hulbert had signed them to his club using what were considered questionable means. Hulbert had a vested interest in creating his own league. After recruiting St. Louis privately, four western clubs met in Louisville, Kentucky, Boston Red Stockings, the dominant team in the N. A. Hartford Dark Blues from the N. A. Mutual of New York from the N. A. St. Louis Brown Stockings from the N. A, the only strong club from 1875 excluded in 1876 was a second one in Philadelphia, often called the White Stockings or Phillies. The first game in National League history was played on April 22,1876, at Philadelphias Jefferson Street Grounds, 25th & Jefferson, the new leagues authority was tested after the first season. The National League operated with six clubs during 1877 and 1878, over the next several years, various teams joined and left the struggling league. By 1880, six of the eight members had folded. The two remaining original NL franchises, Boston and Chicago, remain in operation today as the Atlanta Braves, in 1883 the New York Gothams and Philadelphia Phillies began National League play. Both teams remain in the NL today, the Phillies in their original city, the NL encountered its first strong rival organization when the American Association began play in 1882. The A. A. played in cities where the NL did not have teams, offered Sunday games and alcoholic beverages in locales where permitted, the National League and the American Association participated in a version of the World Series seven times during their ten-year coexistence. These contests were less organized than the modern Series, lasting as few as three games and as many as fifteen, with two Series ending in disputed ties, the NL won four times and the A. A. only once, in 1886. Starting with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1887, the National League began to raid the American Association for franchises to replace NL teams that folded and this undercut the stability of the A. A. Other new leagues that rose to compete with the National League were the Union Association, the Union Association was established in 1884 and folded after playing only one season, its league champion St. Louis Maroons joining the NL. The NL suffered many defections of star players to the Players League, the Brooklyn, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and New York franchises of the NL absorbed their Players League counterparts. The labor strife of 1890 hastened the downfall of the American Association, after the 1891 season, the A. A. disbanded and merged with the NL, which became known legally for the next decade as the National League and American Association
4.
Mike Moustakas
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Michael Christopher Mike Moustakas is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball. He was drafted second overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Royals, during games he is often greeted by calls of Moose, a nickname given by fans and the media. The team encourages the nickname by selling foam moose antlers in the Kauffman Stadium gift shop, Moustakas attended Chatsworth High School in Chatsworth, California, where he was a four-year starter in baseball. During that time he helped Chatsworth to a 124–11 record, including four West Valley League championships, Moustakas was voted Player of the Year by Cal-Hi Sports in both his sophomore and junior years. His 52 career home runs in high school are a California prep state record, however, after three months of rehabilitation Moustakas was able to resume playing. In 2006 Moustakas was a member of USA Baseballs Junior National Team and he topped off his prep career by being named Baseball America s High School Player of the Year in 2007, an honor previously bestowed on MLB stars like Joe Mauer, Homer Bailey and Josh Hamilton. Moustakas was also selected to the USA Today All-USA high school team in 2007. He was offered a scholarship to USC, but turned it down, Moustakas was drafted by the Kansas City Royals with the second overall pick of the 2007 amateur draft. He signed with the team on August 15,2007, receiving a signing bonus of $4 million. Fellow Chatsworth teammate Matt Dominguez was chosen by the Florida Marlins with the 12th overall pick of the amateur draft, the pair became just the sixth set of high school teammates to be selected in the first round of the same draft. Entering 2009, Moustakas was widely regarded as one of the top prospects in all of minor league baseball. The Sporting News ranked Moustakas as the 13th-best prospect overall, while MLB. com listed Moustakas as their 11th-best prospect in all of baseball, Moustakas, however, had trouble adjusting to the Carolina League in 2009. While his power remained, his ability to hit for a high average went down significantly, in 2010, Moustakas power and average increased significantly. As of July 13,2010, Moustakas was hitting.352 with 21 homers and 76 runs batted in in AA Northwest Arkansas, on July 15,2010, he was promoted to Triple-A Omaha. On August 30,2010, Moustakas was named the 2010 Texas League Player of the Year and on the same night, Moustakas won the Joe Bauman Home Run Award for most home runs in minor league baseball, winning a tiebreaker with Mark Trumbo. On May 22,2014, he was demoted to Triple-A Omaha after batting just.152 through 139 plate appearances, Moustakas had his contract purchased by Kansas City on June 9,2011. He made his debut the night against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, going 1–3 with a walk. His first major hit came in his third plate appearance against Ervin Santana
5.
American League
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The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League, is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a league based in the Great Lakes states. It is sometimes called the Junior Circuit because it claimed Major League status for the 1901 season,25 years after the formation of the National League. At the end of season, the American League champion plays in the World Series against the National League champion. Through 2016, American League teams have won 64 of the 112 World Series played since 1903, the 2016 American League champions are the Cleveland Indians. The New York Yankees have won 40 American League titles, the most in the history, followed by the Philadelphia/Kansas City/Oakland Athletics. Originally a minor league known as the Western League, the American League later developed into a major league after the American Association disbanded, in its early history, the Western League struggled until 1894, when Ban Johnson became the president of the league. Johnson led the Western League into major league status and soon became the president of the newly renamed American League, babe Ruth, noted as one of the most prolific hitters in Major League Baseball history, spent the majority of his career in the American League. The American League has one notable difference versus the National League, in 1902, the Milwaukee Brewers moved to St. Louis and were renamed the St. Louis Browns. In 1902, The Cleveland Bluebirds were also renamed the Cleveland Broncos, in 1903, the Broncos were renamed the Cleveland Naps. In 1915, the Naps were renamed the Cleveland Indians, in 1903, the Baltimore Orioles moved to New York and were renamed the New York Highlanders. In 1913, the Highlanders were renamed the New York Yankees, in 1904, the Chicago White Stockings were renamed the Chicago White Sox. In 1908, the Boston Americans were renamed the Boston Red Sox, in 1954, the St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore and were renamed as the Baltimore Orioles. In 1955, the Philadelphia Athletics moved to Kansas City and were renamed as the Kansas City Athletics, in 1961, the league expanded and added two teams as the Los Angeles Angels and the Washington Senators, expanding the league to 10 teams. The original Senators team moved to Minneapolis/St, Paul in 1961 and were renamed as the Minnesota Twins. The Angels team name changed to the California Angels in 1966, then to the Anaheim Angels in 1997, the Kansas City Royals and the Seattle Pilots were added to the American League, expanding the league to 12 teams. In 1970, the Seattle Pilots moved to Milwaukee and were renamed the Milwaukee Brewers, in 1972, the Washington Senators relocated to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and were renamed the Texas Rangers. In 1977, the league expanded to fourteen teams, when the Seattle Mariners, in 1998, the Tampa Bay Rays was added to the American League and at the same time, the Milwaukee Brewers were switched to the National League, leaving the American League with 14 teams
6.
MLB.com
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MLB. com is the official site of Major League Baseball and is overseen by Major League Baseball Advanced Media, L. P. MLB. com is a source of baseball-related information, including news, statistics. In addition, MLB. com sells official baseball merchandise, allows users to buy tickets to games, runs fantasy baseball leagues. In association with HB Studios, MLB. com has developed recent R. B. I. MLB. com also contains the full, unabridged, official rules of the game, MLB. tv basic subscribers can only view and hear the service using their desktop or laptop computer whereas MLB. Starting with the 2012 season MLB, as with MLBs Extra Innings cable and satellite television service normal blackout restrictions will apply where applicable, see below. MLB. tv is available as a channel on Roku, offering HD quality and a choice of audio feeds. Also there is MILB. tv which covers all AAA and AA teams along with postseason and select other games, all subscriptions of MLB. tv Premium include Gameday Audio. Mosaic was a program which provided features not available when streaming through a web browser. It was only available to subscribers of MLB. tv Premium, live games were shown, and on-demand games available for a period of two days previous to the current date. Major League Baseball has not used MLB. tv Mosaic since the 2008 season, Mosaic allowed you to show multiple games at once, and provided the following viewing modes,6 games tiled across the screen. 4 games tiled across the screen, one main game, with 2 games tiled on the right hand side. One main game, with 3 games tiled on the hand side. One main game When set on one game, team information was shown to the right hand side of the game, including team line-ups, the boxscore. Users could also view their player tracker, which would alert the user when a player in their chosen player list was active in a game, beginning with the 2009 season, Mosaic functionality was largely incorporated into the main viewing mode. Multiple-game viewing has been retained, with a choice of one, MLB. com has been providing streaming video since the 2002 season, with only audio available before that. However, in the United States, Canada, South Korea, Guam, games are blacked out to all users within the theoretical home television territory assigned to each team, irrespective of whether local television stations carry local games of those teams. During the post-season, all games are blacked out in the United States, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Guam, in all other countries and territories, no exclusivity rights have been granted and MLB. com is able to broadcast all games
7.
Brad Lidge
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Bradley Thomas Brad Lidge is a former professional baseball relief pitcher. He pitched for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Nationals, Lidge threw a four-seam fastball that consistently reached 91 or 92 miles per hour, as well as a hard, sharp breaking slider that ranged from 85 to 87 mph. He sealed the Phillies 2008 World Series championship with the final out, Lidge was born in Sacramento, California on December 23,1976. At a young age, the Lidge family moved to Englewood, growing up, Lidge was very active, playing football, basketball and baseball among other sports. Lidge attended Cherry Creek High School, Lidge attended the University of Notre Dame, where he played college baseball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish baseball team. He won the Big East Conference player of the award during his junior season under coach Paul Mainieri. Lidge was a 1st round draft pick by the Houston Astros and he missed parts of his first four professional seasons with injuries, including a torn rotator cuff and a broken forearm that threatened his career. Lidge would overcome these injuries, making his debut in the major leagues on April 26,2002 against the Atlanta Braves and he started the only game of his career in September of that year against the Milwaukee Brewers. In 2003, Lidge was the pitcher in the Astros historic six-pitcher tandem which no-hit the New York Yankees on June 11. That year, Lidge was voted Astros Rookie of the Year by the Houston Chapter of the BBWAA, following the trades of Billy Wagner in the 2003 off-season and Octavio Dotel in the summer of 2004, the Astros moved Lidge from setup man to closer. He set a new National League record for strikeouts by a reliever with 157, the mark is third all-time for relievers, behind Dick Radatzs 181 in 1964, and Mark Eichhorns 166 in 1986. In the 2004 season, hitters swung and missed at Lidges strikes almost 42% of the time, for out of the strike zone. Baseball writer Joe Posnanski noted, I have no doubt that Brad Lidge, in his first All-Star Game appearance in 2005, Lidge pitched the bottom of the seventh, striking out all three batters he faced. He threw 11 pitches to Melvin Mora, Mike Sweeney, and Garret Anderson, Lidge became the first pitcher to strike out the side in his first All-Star appearance since Bill Caudill and Dwight Gooden in 1984. Later in 2005, Lidge finished the season with a 2.29 ERA and that year, Lidge ranked third in the National League in saves and became the second Houston Astros pitcher ever to record at least 40 saves in one season alongside Billy Wagner. Lidge pitched for the United States national baseball team in the 2006 World Baseball Classic, however, Lidge was demoted from the closers role on April 9,2007. Lidge would later regain his role in mid-June as the closer after going 10+ scoreless innings, on July 17,2007, Lidge pitched a scoreless ninth inning against the Washington Nationals, striking out two and walking one, to earn his first save of the 2007 season. Lidge finished the season 5–3 with 19 saves in 27 chances for the Astros, on November 7,2007, Lidge was acquired by the Philadelphia Phillies along with infielder Eric Bruntlett in exchange for outfielder Michael Bourn, pitcher Geoff Geary, and Mike Costanzo
8.
Francisco Liriano
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Francisco Liriano Casillas is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He is a starting pitcher and has also pitched in MLB for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago White Sox. Liriano is a MLB All-Star, and two-time winner of the MLB Comeback Player of the Year Award, Liriano signed with the San Francisco Giants as an international free agent in 2000. He was traded to the Minnesota Twins along with pitchers Joe Nathan, often compared to former teammate Johan Santana, another hard-throwing lefty, Liriano was touted as one of the super-prospects within the Twins organization. In 2005, he led all league pitchers in strikeouts. He made his league debut in relief on September 5,2005. He later joined the Twins starting rotation and won his first game on September 30,2005, Liriano started the 2006 season in Minnesotas bullpen, but was promoted to the starting rotation in May, exchanging positions with struggling starter Carlos Silva. He won each of his first three starts, after a 12–3 start to the 2006 season, which included two Rookie of the Month nods and a spot on the American League All-Star roster, Liriano led the Major Leagues with a 2. On August 1,2006, Liriano was scratched from his scheduled August 2 start because of inflammation after a bullpen session. He missed one start before resuming bullpen work without pain, but was placed on the disabled list after continued arm pain during his last start on August 7,2006. Liriano made a start for the Rochester Red Wings on September 9, throwing 40 pitches for four strikeouts. After the game, Liriano reported feeling no pain in his elbow and was reactivated by the Twins, on November 6,2006, Liriano underwent Tommy John surgery to curtail the pain in his left elbow. Liriano missed the entire 2007 season, on April 11,2008, Liriano was recalled from Triple-A Rochester in the place of injured pitcher Kevin Slowey. Liriano made his debut and his first game since Tommy John surgery on April 13. Liriano pitched 4.2 innings giving up six hits, four earned runs, on April 25,2008, Liriano was sent back to the minors after a rough start to the season coming off Tommy John surgery. In three starts, he compiled an 0–3 record with an 11.32 ERA, in his first start after being recalled, Liriano pitched six scoreless innings and struck out five, recording the win. He then went 3–0 in his first three starts with a 1.45 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 18 2⁄3 innings, Liriano posted a less than stellar 5–13 record in 2009, with a combined ERA of 5.80. However, this was Lirianos first year since his Tommy John surgery that he had spent that year on the Twins major league roster
9.
Vladimir Guerrero
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Vladimir Alvino Guerrero is a Dominican former professional baseball player who spent 16 seasons in Major League Baseball as a right fielder and designated hitter. He played for the Montreal Expos from, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from, the Texas Rangers in, in 2004, he was voted the American League Most Valuable Player. He helped lead the Angels to five AL West championships, and was voted as one of the most feared hitters in baseball in a 2008 poll of all 30 major league managers. In the first pitch of an at-bat, he hit 126 home runs, believed to be the most ever, on September 26,2011, Guerrero became the all-time MLB leader in hits among players from the Dominican Republic, surpassing Julio Franco. He was later surpassed by Adrián Beltré in 2014, at the time of his final game, he was the leader among active major league outfielders in errors, with 125, and was second in assists, with 126. His older brother, Wilton Guerrero, also played in Major League Baseball, one of nine children, Guerrero is the younger brother of ex-major leaguer Wilton Guerrero, who also played with the Montreal Expos. He is also the cousin of minor leaguer Cristian Guerrero, and his son, Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. was born in Montreal, Canada in 1999 during the elder Guerreros time with the Expos, and is also a baseball prospect. On July 2,2015, he was signed by the Toronto Blue Jays, as of 2012, Guerrero had a total of eight children with five different women. His 6-foot-3-inch frame, strong arm, and unusual ability to hit out of the strike zone drew attention at a Dodgers training camp. After injuring his hamstring running out a double, he hit a home run in his next at bat to avoid having to run the bases. Due to his leg condition, Guerrero only received a 30-day contract, but he grew frustrated with the structure of the Dodgers camp, and left. In March 1993, Guerrero signed with the Montreal Expos, during the process he lied about his age, claiming to be born February 9,1976. It was not until March 2009 that he revealed to Major League Baseball that he was born February 9,1975, in 1994, Guerrero hit.314 in 37 games with the Expos Rookie League team. The next year he hit.333 with the Albany Polecats, in 1996, while advancing from Single-A to Double-A, Guerrero batted.360 with 24 home runs and 96 RBI. His September callup was unproductive, although he hit his first major league home run, Guerrero was signed by the Montreal Expos as an amateur free agent on March 1,1993 and eventually made his major league debut on September 19,1996. He was 1 for 5 in his debut, with his first hit a single to center field off of Steve Avery of the Atlanta Braves in the top of the 4th. He hit his first career home run off of the Braves closer Mark Wohlers on September 21,1996 and he was criticized during his first season in 1997 for being too aggressive at the plate. Nonetheless, he put up solid numbers for a rookie, batting.302 with 11 HRs and 40 RBI in just 325 at-bats, Guerrero led all major league outfielders in errors in 1997,1998,1999,2000, and 2001
10.
Mark Trumbo
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Mark Daniel Trumbo is an American professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. He has also played for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim from 2010 through 2013, for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2014 and 2015, Trumbo was an All-Star in 2012 and 2016. Trumbo was born in Anaheim, California and played high school baseball at Villa Park High School in Villa Park, growing up, Trumbo played travel baseball against current major leaguers Phil Hughes and Brandon Barnes. At Villa Park, Trumbo was a pitcher and infielder, and was a 2005 High School All-American after hitting.425, Trumbo was selected by the Anaheim Angels in the 18th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball Draft. He was promoted to the leagues as part of the September roster expansions on September 3,2010. He made his league debut on September 11,2010 as a pinch hitter for Mike Napoli. Trumbo entered the 2011 season looking for some early-season playing time at first base after an excellent spring in which he displayed his over credited power, Trumbo hit his first career home run on April 12,2011, off Fausto Carmona of the Cleveland Indians. Although he planned to be a shortstop until Kendrys Morales returned from injury and he led all rookies with 29 home runs and 87 RBIs while batting.254 in his rookie campaign, but finished second in Rookie of the Year voting to Jeremy Hellickson of the Tampa Bay Rays. Trumbo also led the American League in putouts with 1,284 in 2011, the Angels acquired Albert Pujols on December 8,2011, which forced Trumbo to change positions. In the early stages of the 2012 season Trumbo and Alberto Callaspo shared time at third base, Trumbo also started games in left, on June 10,2012, Trumbo had a career-high six RBIs on two three-run home runs in a game against the Colorado Rockies. Trumbo was selected for the 2012 Home Run Derby by AL captain Robinson Cano, Trumbo was elected to his first all-star game, which was the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, in his sophomore season. The Angels traded Trumbo to the Arizona Diamondbacks in a trade also involving the Chicago White Sox. The Angels received Tyler Skaggs and Hector Santiago, while the White Sox received Adam Eaton, on April 6, Trumbo hit his 100th career home run, his 5th of the year, in a 5-3 win over the Rockies. On April 24, Trumbo was placed on the disabled list with a fracture in his left foot. He was removed from the disabled list on July 7, on June 3,2015, the Diamondbacks traded Trumbo and Vidal Nuño to the Seattle Mariners for catcher Welington Castillo, reliever Dominic Leone, and prospects Gabby Guerrero and Jack Reinheimer. Trumbo played in 96 games for the Mariners and slashed. 263/. 316/.419 while hitting 13 home runs,13 doubles, on December 2,2015, the Mariners traded Trumbo and C. J. Riefenhauser to the Baltimore Orioles for Steve Clevenger. Trumbo went 4-for-5 in the first game of the 2016 season, Trumbo hit his first home run in an Orioles uniform on April 11, helping the Orioles improve to 6-0 on the season while beating the Red Sox 9-7. He homered again the day in the Orioles 9-5 win over the Sox
11.
Anthony Rendon
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Anthony Michael Rendon is an American baseball third baseman for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. Rendon played college baseball for the Rice University Owls, where he won the 2010 Dick Howser Trophy, Rendon was selected sixth overall in the 2011 Major League Baseball Draft by the Nationals. Rendon is the son of Rene and Bridget Rendon and is of Mexican descent. His parents say Rendon started playing baseball at an early age. Rendon grew up on the southwest side of Houston and excelled academically and he was a star basketball player, track athlete and baseball player at Hodges Bend Middle School. For the first two and a years of high school, Rendon attended George Bush High School, before transferring to Lamar High School. Out of high school, Rendon was drafted in the 27th round of the Major League Baseball Draft by the Atlanta Braves and he turned down their signing bonus to play for Rice University and head coach Wayne Graham. As a true freshman, he hit.388 with 20 home runs and 72 runs batted in, Rendon was also nominated for both the Dick Howser Trophy and the Golden Spikes Award in his first season at the college level. He led the conference in offensive categories, including batting average, slugging percentage and home runs. He added 31 walks to his already gaudy offensive numbers, giving him a.496 on-base percentage. In addition to his prowess, he stole 9 bases in 11 attempts, two away from leading the team, and showed defensive ability at third base as well. However, in Rices last game, in the Baton Rouge Super Regional, as a sophomore in 2010 he was the winner of the Dick Howser Trophy and was Baseball Americas College Player of the Year, becoming the first underclassman to win the award. He is also only the player to be named Conference USA Player of the Year twice. He finished the season hitting.394 with 26 home runs and 85 runs batted in, again starting in one of the Owls 63 games. Rendons 26 home runs were the second highest single season total in school history, in his sophomore campaign, Rendon hit more home runs than he struck out, and his walks nearly tripled his strike out total. Again, Rendon flashed the leather, raising his fielding percentage to.978, after his Rice season ended, Rendon was invited to represent his country playing on the international circuit for Team USA. He suffered another ankle injury in the first game against South Korea. Houston mayor Annise Parker declared June 29,2010 to be Anthony Rendon Day in Houston, Rendon was a member of Wiess College while at Rice
12.
Rick Porcello
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Frederick Alfred Rick Porcello III, is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He previously played for the Detroit Tigers and he won the 2016 American League Cy Young award with the Red Sox. Porcello was drafted 27th overall in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Tigers. His choice of sports agent Scott Boras to advise him may have scared away some teams, Porcello had been described as an ace who could be a bona fide No.1 starter. He was also known as a special pitcher and his manager, Jim Leyland, later chose to start him in the 2009 American League Central tie-breaker game over Nate Robertson, Eddie Bonine, and Armando Galarraga. In 2009, he was the youngest player in the American League, Porcello graduated from Seton Hall Preparatory School in West Orange, New Jersey in 2007. In his senior season, he compiled a 10–0 record with 103 strikeouts and he threw a perfect game on May 12,2007 against Newark Academy. Porcello had only given up multiple hits once in a game to one player in his school career. Although Porcello signed a letter of intent to attend the University of North Carolina, Porcello was signed by the Detroit Tigers to a $7.28 million, four-year deal with two one-year options. The total contract is worth $11.1 million, making Porcello the highest-paid high schooler ever. He also received a $3.5 million signing bonus, the second-largest ever given out by the Tigers, Porcello played the entire 2008 season with the Lakeland Flying Tigers, Detroits advanced class-A affiliate. He earned his first victory against the Tampa Yankees on April 3,2008, on May 12, he was named the Florida State League Pitcher of the Week. On July 19, he took part in a seven inning combined no-hitter against the St. Lucie Mets, Porcello finished the season with a record of 8–6 in 125 innings pitched. His 2.66 ERA was the lowest in the FSL, on February 7,2009, Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski stated that Porcello would be considered for the final spot in the Tigers rotation, pending his spring training performance. Porcello began drawing comparisons to Boston Red Sox ace Josh Beckett, namely from Tigers official Al Avila, on April 1, Dombrowski confirmed that Porcello would make the 2009 opening day roster after posting a 2.63 ERA in five Grapefruit League games. Dombrowski stated, On April 9, Porcello made his Major League debut against Toronto, the game marked the first time in MLB history that two first-round picks faced each other in their respective debuts. Porcello pitched five innings and took the loss for Detroit and he struck out four batters and allowed four runs on eight hits. On April 19, Porcello earned his first career win in an 8–2 victory over the Seattle Mariners and he allowed one run and struck out three in seven innings with no walks
13.
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
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The game usually occurs on either the second or third Tuesday in July, and is meant to mark a symbolic halfway-point in the MLB season. Both of the major leagues share a common All-Star break, with no games scheduled on the day before or two days after the All-Star Game itself. Some additional events and festivities associated with the game take place each year close to, no official MLB All-Star Game was held in 1945 including the official selection of players due to World War II travel restrictions. The first All-Star Game was held on July 6,1933 as part of the 1933 Worlds Fair in Chicago, at Comiskey Park and was initiated by Arch Ward, initially intended to be a one-time event, its great success resulted in making the game an annual one. The venue for the All-Star Game is chosen by Major League Baseball, the criteria for the venue are subjective, generally, cities with new ballparks and those who have not hosted the game in a long time—or ever—tend to get selected. New York City has hosted more than any city, having done so nine times in five different stadiums. At the same time, the New York Mets failed to host for 48 seasons, in the first two decades of the game there were two pairs of teams that shared ballparks, located in Philadelphia and St. Louis. This led to some shorter-than-usual gaps between the use of venues, The Cardinals hosted the game in 1940, and the Browns in 1948. The Athletics hosted the game in 1943, and the Phillies in 1952, the venues traditionally alternate between the American League and National League every year. This tradition has been several times, The first time was in 1951. Detroit Tigers were chosen to host the game as part of the citys 250th birthday. The second was when the format during the 1959–1962 seasons resulted in the A. L. being one game ahead in turn. This was corrected in 2007, when the N. L, San Francisco Giants were the host for the 2007 All-Star Game, which also set up the 2008 game to be held at the A. L. s Yankee Stadium in its final season. This decision was made following the announcement of Miami as host for the 2017 All Star Game, the coaching staff for each team is selected by its manager. This honor is given to the manager, not the team and this happened in 2003, when Dusty Baker managed the National League team despite having moved from the National League champion San Francisco Giants to the Chicago Cubs. This has also included situations where the person is no longer actively managing a team, mcGraw came out of retirement for that purpose. Dick Williams resigned after managing the Oakland Athletics to the 1973 World Series, in 1974, he became manager of the California Angels, whose uniform he wore for the game. Tony La Russa, who managed the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals in 2011, in 1979, Bob Lemon managed the American League team after having been fired by New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner
14.
Jim Thome
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James Howard Jim Thome is a former American baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1991 to 2012. He played for six different teams, most notably the Cleveland Indians during the 1990s, a prolific power hitter, Thome hit 612 home runs during his career—the seventh-most all time—along with 2,328 hits,1,699 runs batted in, and a.276 batting average. He was a member of five All-Star teams and won a Silver Slugger Award in 1996, Thome grew up in Peoria, Illinois, as part of a large blue-collar family of athletes, who predominantly played baseball and basketball. After attending Illinois Central College, he was drafted by the Indians in 1989, early in his career, he played third base before eventually becoming a first baseman. With the Indians, Thome was part of a core of players led the franchise to two World Series appearances in three years during the mid-1990s. He spent over a decade with Cleveland before leaving via free agency after the 2002 season to join the Philadelphia Phillies, by this point in his career, back pain limited Thome to being a designated hitter. After stints with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins, he made brief returns to Cleveland, upon retiring, Thome accepted an executive position with the White Sox. Throughout his career, Thomes strength was power hitting, in six different seasons, he hit more than 40 home runs, and in 2003, he led the National League in home runs with 47. His career on-base plus slugging of.956 is 19th all time, in 2011, he became the eighth MLB player to hit 600 home runs. As of 2017 Thome is the leader in walk-off home runs with 13. One of Thomes trademarks was his unique batting stance, in which he held the bat out with his hand and pointed it at right field before the pitcher threw. Thome was known for his positive attitude and gregarious personality. An active philanthropist during his career, he was honored with two Marvin Miller Man of the Year Awards and a Lou Gehrig Memorial Award for his community involvement. Thome was born in Peoria, Illinois, on August 27,1970, one day during his youth, Thome sneaked into the Cubs clubhouse at Wrigley Field in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain an autograph from his favorite player, Dave Kingman. Though Thome received signatures from several players, this experience influenced him to be generous with signing autographs for fans during his playing career. Like his older brothers, Thome attended Limestone High School where he achieved all-state honors in basketball, Thome graduated in 1988 and, after not being drafted, enrolled at Illinois Central College where he continued his baseball and basketball careers. After one season, he was drafted by MLBs Cleveland Indians as an afterthought in the 13th round of the 1989 MLB draft, for the 1989 season, Thome was assigned to the Gulf Coast League Indians, a minor league affiliate of the Cleveland Indians. He finished the year with a.237 batting average, no home runs, after his rookie season, he met hitting guru Charlie Manuel, who later became his manager and mentor
15.
Nomar Garciaparra
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Anthony Nomar Garciaparra is a former American Major League Baseball player and current SportsNet LA analyst. After playing parts of nine seasons as an All-Star shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, he played third base and first base for the Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Oakland Athletics. He is one of 13 players in Major League history to hit two grand slams during a game, and the only player to achieve the feat at his home stadium. Garciaparra is a six-time All-Star, and was the AL Rookie of the Year, in 2001, he suffered a wrist injury, the first in a series of significant injuries that plagued the remainder of his career. Known for his ability to hit for average, Garciaparra is lifetime.313 hitter, Garciaparra, who is of Mexican-American descent, was born in Whittier, California and attended St. John Bosco High School in Bellflower, California. His father Ramon is often cited as a big help in his sons development as an athlete. When Nomar was a boy, his father stressed the importance of not striking out, offering him 25 cents for each hit in tee ball. When Nomar was 13, Ramon once put him in a cage against a college pitcher who could throw 90 MPH. Nomars father encouraged him, and, after missing the first pitch, Nomar was originally drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 5th round of the 1991 draft, but did not sign. Instead, he attended Georgia Tech, where he helped the Yellow Jackets reach the College World Series title game in 1994, future Boston teammate Jason Varitek was also a member of that team. He was an Atlantic Coast Conference All-Star and a first team All-American twice in 1993–94 and he batted.427 in his final season at Georgia Tech. In 1993, he won a Cape Cod Baseball League championship with the Orleans Firebirds, following his successful career at Georgia Tech, Garciaparra was a first round draft pick of the Red Sox in 1994, and entered the Red Sox farm system. He began his career in Class A Advanced, as a member of the Sarasota Red Sox following his NCAA season. Since the season was well underway by the point Garciaparra joined the team, he only appeared in 28 games, however. He also walked more than he struck out, whiffing only 6 times in 105 at bats, in 1995, Garciaparra moved up to join the Double-A Trenton Thunder. In 125 games, he batted.267 with 8 home runs and he also showcased his speed, stealing 35 bases, and continued gathering experience at shortstop. Nomars body felt worn down and tired at the end of that season and he had played the season at a low weight, by most standards, of just 155 pounds. But after the 1995 season, rather go home, Garciaparra embarked on an ambitious offseason training reigmen to add 15 pounds of muscle
16.
Dmitri Young
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Dmitri Dell Young is a former Major League Baseball player. He played all or part of thirteen seasons in the Major Leagues as a fielder, first baseman. He is the brother of Delmon Young. Young attended Rio Mesa High School in Oxnard, California, as a senior, he batted.425 with 11 home runs,31 RBI,37 runs, and 8 doubles, and earned USA Today High School All-American honors. Young was a first round pick by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1991 June amateur draft. In 1995, Young punched a fan who had been heckling him, finally, in 1996, he had a big year at Triple-A Louisville, batting.333, being chosen as a Triple-A All-Star first baseman and the St. Louis Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year. He was called up at the end of the season and played a few games with St. Louis in the majors, youngs first full season in Major League Baseball was with the Cardinals in 1997, in which he hit.258. After the season, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Jeff Brantley, eight days later, he was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the expansion draft, then traded back to the Reds for Mike Kelly. While with the Reds, Young hit over.300 in each year, during those years, he played primarily the outfield and at first base. After the 2001 season, he was traded by the Reds to the Detroit Tigers for Luis Pineda, in 2003, he hit.297, with 29 home runs, and 7 triples. He was the Tigers lone representative at the 2003 MLB All-Star Game, on May 6,2003, Young went 5-5 against the Baltimore Orioles hitting two homers and two triples, and a single. When he came up to bat in the ninth, he was a short of the cycle. Instead, he hit his second triple of the night off Buddy Groom and it crossed my mind, but since the game was close, my individual accomplishment took a back seat, Young said. The run is the important thing, on April 4,2005, Young joined George Bell and Tuffy Rhodes as the only players to hit three home runs on Opening Day in Detroits 11-2 win over the visiting Kansas City Royals. Young and Tigers first baseman Miguel Cabrera are the players to hit three home runs in one game at Comerica Park—one of the more statistically difficult home run stadiums. He was also known as Da Meat Hook and The Big D to Tigers fans, Young appeared at World Wrestling Entertainment s Survivor Series 2005 in an interview segment with Edge and Lita. Edge made fun of the Detroit Tigers, saying that they sucked, in 2006, Young went through a divorce, and was treated for alcohol and substance abuse and depression. He pleaded guilty to assault after an argument in Birmingham, Michigan, on May 17,2006, the Detroit Free Press reported that Young faced a misdemeanor domestic violence charge
17.
Cliff Lee
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Clifton Phifer Cliff Lee is a former American professional baseball starting pitcher. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies, Seattle Mariners and he stands 6 feet 3 inches and weighs 205 pounds. He was born in Benton, Arkansas, Lee played baseball at Benton High School and attended Meridian Community College and the University of Arkansas before being drafted by the Montreal Expos in the twentieth round of the 2000 draft. After playing with the Expos minor-league affiliate Harrisburg Senators, Lee was traded to the Cleveland Indians and he was traded to the Phillies in 2009, then traded to the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, and returned to the Phillies as a free agent in 2011. A four-time All-Star, Lee won the American League Cy Young Award in 2008 as a member of the Indians after he led the American League in wins, Lee is left-handed and threw three fastballs, a four-seam, two-seam and cutter. His pitches also included a slider, curveball and change-up, later, Lee was drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the twentieth round of the 1998 amateur draft, but opted to attend the University of Arkansas instead. In the 2000 major league draft, he was chosen in the round by the Montreal Expos. In 2002, Lee played for Double-A Harrisburg, and compiled a 7–2 record with a 3.23 ERA in the Eastern League by mid-summer, in June 2002, the Expos traded Lee to the Cleveland Indians in exchange for Bartolo Colón and Tim Drew. Following the trade, Lee pitched seven games with the Akron Aeros before he went to the Buffalo Bisons and he compiled a 3–2 record with the Bisons before going to the Indians in September of that season. Lee made his league debut in a start against the Minnesota Twins on September 15,2002, giving up a lone run in 5.1 innings. He pitched once more that season, giving up one run in five innings against the Kansas City Royals, resulting in a no decision for Lee but a loss for the team. Lee won at least fourteen games in each of his first three seasons and pitched more than 200 innings in both 2005 and 2006. He finished the 2005 season with an 18–5 record and a 3.79 ERA, in 2006, the Indians gave him a midseason 3-year $14 million contract extension. In 2007, Lee suffered a groin strain during a spring training start and he returned to the Indians pitching rotation in May, but got only a 4–9 record and a 5.38 ERA in his first 16 starts. On July 21, Lee hit Texas Rangers right fielder Sammy Sosa in the head with a pitch on the night when the Rangers were honoring Sosa for hitting his 600th home run. The incident sparked an altercation between Lee and Indians catcher Víctor Martínez and led to a meeting immediately after the game. Lee encountered more problems on July 26,2007, when he gave up seven runs in four innings against the Boston Red Sox, when he left the game, the fans booed him and he tipped his cap to the fans before he entered the dugout. The next day, on July 27, Lee was optioned to Triple-A Buffalo Bisons and he was called back up on September 1 when rosters expanded, but only appeared in four games, all out of the bullpen
18.
Aaron Hill (baseball)
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Aaron Walter Hill is an American professional baseball third baseman for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. Hill was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the first round of the 2003 MLB draft and he has also played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers and Boston Red Sox. Hill is one of four players in MLB history to hit for the cycle twice in one season. At age 15, Hill and friends were participating in a tournament in Park City. While on their way to a round of golf, a college student narrowly missed Hills car, Hills mother, Vicki, was killed as a result. Hill was originally drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 7th round of the June 2000 Draft, Hill turned down the offer, opting to attend Louisiana State University and play for the varsity Tigers baseball team. While at LSU, Hill posted a career.335 batting average with 23 home runs and 150 RBIs, although he was brought up as a shortstop, Hill appeared as a third baseman, a designated hitter, and as a second baseman during the course of the season. He finished the 2005 season with a.274 batting average.348 OBP, after experiencing defensive struggles at shortstop, he was then moved back to second base, with John McDonald taking over at shortstop. On May 29,2007, in a game at home against the New York Yankees with Andy Pettitte pitching, Hill won a Fielding Bible Award at second base for his fielding excellence in 2007. On April 4,2008, Hill agreed to a four-year, the contract would have been worth as much as $38 million if Toronto kept Hill in the fold for all seven years of the deal. On May 29, Hill suffered a Grade II concussion in a collision with teammate David Eckstein during a game against the Oakland Athletics, Hill missed the remainder of the season. Hill returned from his concussion during spring training, on July 5,2009, Hill was selected by managers and players to take part in the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis. Hill finished the 2009 season with 37 doubles,36 home runs,108 runs batted in, after the season, Hill received the 2009 AL Comeback Player of the Year. He was voted the Blue Jays Player of the Year and he was also honored with his second Fielding Bible Award. Prior to the first game of the 2011 season, the Blue Jays announced that they had declined the three years on Hills contract. Hill was placed on the 15-day disabled list on April 24, retroactive to April 20, on August 23,2011, Hill and John McDonald were traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for second baseman Kelly Johnson. Hill hit his first home run as a Diamondback on August 28 against the San Diego Padres, in Game 4 of the 2011 NLDS, Hill hit his first postseason home run. The Diamondbacks would, however, lose the series to the Milwaukee Brewers in 5 games
19.
Tim Hudson
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Timothy Adam Hudson is an American former professional baseball pitcher of Major League Baseball. With the Giants, he won the 2014 World Series over the Kansas City Royals, during his 17-season career, Hudson established himself as one of baseballs most consistent pitchers and until 2014 had never had a season where he suffered more losses than wins. Hudson was also named an All-Star four times, twice with Oakland, once with Atlanta, before retiring in 2015, Hudson was the winningest active Major League pitcher, as well as one of four active pitchers with at least 200 career wins. With a win against the Oakland As on July 26,2015, he has won a game against every team in the majors, the 15th pitcher to do so. Hudson is one of twenty-one pitchers in Major League history to win at least 200 games, of those twenty-one, fourteen are in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Hudson attended Glenwood School in Phenix City, Alabama where in his season he led the team to the 1993 AISA state championship. He finished his school career with a 12–1 record and a 1.78 ERA. Despite his record, Hudson was considered undersized by scouts at 60 tall and 160 pounds and was not drafted nor was he offered a scholarship to a major college, Hudson decided to attend a local two-year college, Chattahoochee Valley Community College. In 1994, his year at CVCC, he earned First-team All American honors while leading his team to the AJCCC Division II championship. He also led CVCC team in batting average, home runs, RBI, wins, strikeouts, as a sophomore, he was named Second-team All American and set a school and conference record with 117 strikeouts which also led the nation. As a hitter, Hudson batted.345 with 5 home runs and his sophomore season ERA of 1.95 was the team and conference best. Prior to his year, Hudson transferred to Auburn University where he would play two seasons. He is still at or near the top of school records. In 1997, he played all 65 games for the Tigers while both pitching and playing outfield and that season, he hit.396 with 18 home runs and 95 RBI. As a pitcher, he finished 15–2 with a 2.97 ERA to earn SEC Player of the Year, tim was the first player to be named First Team All-SEC at two positions in the same year. He was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 6th round of the 1997 amateur draft, Hudson was drafted by the Oakland Athletics twice, in the 35th round of the 1994 MLB Draft and again in the 6th round of the 1997 MLB draft, signing in 1997. He made his Major League debut with a five inning start on June 8,1999 against the San Diego Padres and he recorded his first career win in his next start, on June 13 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He allowed only one run in seven innings of the 9–3 victory, in his rookie season, Hudson had an 11–2 mark and finished 5th in the AL Rookie of the Year vote
20.
Lance Berkman
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William Lance Berkman, nicknamed Big Puma, is an American former professional baseball outfielder and first baseman. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros, New York Yankees, St. Louis Cardinals, Berkman is a six-time MLB All-Star and won a World Series championship and the National League Comeback Player of the Year Award with the Cardinals in 2011. He stands 6 feet 1 inch, and weighs 220 pounds, Berkman has spent various seasons of his career as a regular at all three outfield positions. A standout baseball player at Canyon High School, Berkman attended Rice University, named the 1997 National College Player of the Year, the Astros selected Berkman in the first round of that years amateur draft, and he debuted in the major leagues in 1999. He joined the Astros vaunted Killer Bs lineup that included Jeff Bagwell, the Astros traded Berkman to the Yankees at the 2010 trade deadline. He signed with the Cardinals as a agent for the 2011 and 2012 seasons. He played the 2013 season with the Rangers before signing a contract with Houston to officially retire as an Astro. Active in charity work, Forbes recognized him on their list of 50 most generous celebrities in 2012 and he has led a group called Berkmans Bunch, an outreach for 50 underprivileged kids to meet Berkman before each Saturday home game for autographs and other gifts. In 2013, he purchased a truck and donated it to the City of West, Texas. Berkman was born in Waco, Texas, the son of Cynthia Ann and his paternal grandfather, whose familys surname was originally Bjorkman, was of Swedish descent. Berkman graduated from Canyon High School in New Braunfels, Texas and he was invited to visit the White House and dined with President Clinton along with the rest of the Baseball America honorees. Throughout college, he batted a collective.385 with 67 home runs and 272 RBI and his 41 home runs in 1997 ranked third-most in NCAA history. That year he made the all-time record book in RBIs, slugging percentage. Berkman returned to Rice in 2014 to finish his degree, the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball selected Berkman in the first round, with the 16th overall selection, of the 1997 MLB draft. The team assigned him to play with the Kissimmee Cobras, their Class A-Advanced affiliate, in 53 games, he hit.293 with 12 home runs and 35 RBI. In 1998, his minor league season, the Astros promoted Berkman to the Jackson Generals of the Class AA Southern League. His potential was beginning to show, as he hit.306 with 24 home runs and 89 RBI over 122 games, the Astros granted him a mid-season promotion to the New Orleans Zephyrs of the Class AAA Pacific Coast League. He played 17 games in New Orleans, and 1998 would prove to be his last full season in the minor leagues, in 1999, Berkman was midway through a great season in New Orleans when he was called up to the parent club, the Houston Astros
21.
Jacoby Ellsbury
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Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury is an American professional baseball center fielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball. He played in MLB for the Boston Red Sox from 2007 through 2013, Ellsbury was first drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 23rd round of the 2002 MLB draft, but did not sign. He was drafted next as 23rd overall by the Red Sox in the 2005, Ellsbury is the only Red Sox player in history to be a member of the 30–30 club. In 2011, Ellsbury also won the Gold Glove Award, the Silver Slugger Award, after the 2013 season, Ellsbury signed a 7-year, $153 million contract with the Yankees in free agency. Ellsbury is a member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Ellsburys mother, Margie, is full-blooded Navajo and his father is of English. Ellsbury is the first Native American of Navajo descent to reach the major leagues, as of 2008, he was one of three active non-Hispanic Native American players in Major League Baseball, along with Kyle Lohse and Joba Chamberlain. Ellsbury was born on September 11,1983, to Jim and Margie Ellsbury and his mother is a Navajo Native American, a descendant from 19th-century tribal leader Ganado Mucho. Her father Franklin McCabe was a silversmith and her mother a traditional rug weaver and his father, Jim Ellsbury, is of English and German descent. The Ellsburys lived on the Warm Springs Indian Reservation until they moved to Madras, Oregon and he was raised in the Mormon religion. In Little League, Ellsbury often played with teammates up to three years older than him, at Madras High School, he lettered in five sports. In his senior year in baseball, he hit.537 with 65 stolen bases, in basketball, he averaged 23.6 points and 4.4 blocks per game. He finished his career with nine interceptions and six kickoff returns for touchdowns. He went to Oregon State University where he was a Baseball America first-team All-American and Pac-10 Conference Co-Player of the year and he was drafted in the 1st round of the 2005 MLB draft by the Boston Red Sox. Ellsbury began his career on July 14,2005, with the Lowell Spinners in the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League. On September 7, he tied a Lowell team record with three stolen bases in a single game, Ellsbury finished the season batting.317, with 23 stolen bases in 35 games. Ellsbury began the 2006 season ranked as the sixth-best prospect in the Red Sox organization according to Baseball America and he started the season with the Wilmington Blue Rocks of the Class A-Advanced Carolina League. On July 3, he tied a Wilmington franchise record by stealing four bases in a game. After batting.299 with 25 steals in 61 games and being named to the 2006 Carolina League All-Star team, Ellsbury was promoted to the Portland Sea Dogs of the Class AA Eastern League on July 12
22.
Buster Posey
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Gerald Dempsey Buster Posey, is an American professional baseball catcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball. He stands 6 feet 1 inch tall and weighs 215 pounds, Posey has also filled in at first base for the Giants. Posey was born in Leesburg, Georgia and he played four sports in high school, when playing baseball, he excelled at hitting and pitching. He attended Florida State University, where he playing the catcher position. He won the Golden Spikes Award in 2008 and was selected by the Giants with the fifth pick in the 2008 Major League Baseball draft. Posey made his league debut on September 11,2009. After starting the 2010 season in the leagues, he was called back up to the major leagues in May. As a rookie, he finished with a.305 batting average,18 home runs and he was named the National League Rookie of the Year. He caught every inning of the playoffs as the Giants won the 2010 World Series, in 2011, Posey missed most of the year after he was severely injured in a collision with Scott Cousins at home plate. Posey returned from his injury in 2012 and posted a.336 batting average to win the 2012 NL batting title and he became the second San Francisco Giant to win the batting title and was named the NL Most Valuable Player for 2012. He won his second World Series that year as the Giants swept the Detroit Tigers in four games, in 2013, Posey signed an eight-year contract extension worth $167 million, a record in sum and in length for a player with his level of experience. He won his third World Series the following year as the Giants defeated the Kansas City Royals, in 2016, he won his first Gold Glove award after an excellent defensive season. Posey, the oldest of four children, was born to Gerald Dempsey Buster Posey II and Traci Posey on March 27,1987, in Leesburg and his nickname, Buster, came from his fathers childhood nickname. He played football, soccer, and basketball growing up, as a junior at Lee County High School, Posey pitched and played shortstop. That year he hit 9 doubles,3 triples, and 7 home runs while setting records for batting average. His pitching achievements included a 10–1 record and a 1.53 earned run average, in his senior year, he batted.462 with 40 RBI while setting a school record with 14 home runs. In 13 starts as a pitcher that year, he had a 12–0 record with a 1.06 ERA and 108 strikeouts, in the Georgia AAAA State Championship, Lee County was defeated by Henry County High, for whom fellow future major leaguer Jason Heyward played. After his senior season, Posey was named the Georgia Gatorade Player of the Year, the Louisville Slugger State Player of the Year, an EA Sports All-American, and a Baseball America All-American
23.
Fernando Rodney
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Fernando Rodney is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball. He previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Tampa Bay Rays, Seattle Mariners, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, Rodney is a three-time MLB All-Star. He won the MLB Delivery Man of the Year Award and American League Comeback Player of the Year Award in 2012 and he throws a fastball between 96-99 mph, and a palmball in the low 80s. Rodney is the cousin of Alfredo Fígaro, Rodney was signed by the Detroit Tigers as an amateur free agent in 1997. He spent 1999–2003 in the leagues, moving from the Gulf Coast League to the International League. Rodney underwent Tommy John surgery following the 2003 season and he spent the 2004 season recovering and failed to make the Tigers opening day roster after 2005 spring training. Rodney made his Major League debut 2002 at the age of 25, in 2005, Rodney became the Tigers closer after Troy Percival went down with an arm injury and his replacement, Kyle Farnsworth, was traded at mid-season to the Atlanta Braves. He was called up from Toledo after Farnsworth was traded, then settled into the role, earning nine saves in 39 total appearances. When the Tigers signed closer Todd Jones during the 2006 off-season, Rodney embraced the role as the Tigers proceeded to have their most successful season in recent history. Rodney was part of the 2006 World Series roster, the first trip of Rodneys career to the MLB postseason tournament finals, the Tigers would end up losing the World Series to the St. Louis Cardinals. Rodney started 2008 on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis and he re-joined the big league club in mid-June. On July 27, Rodney was announced as the Tigers new closer, following the 2009 season, the Tigers offered arbitration to Rodney, which he rejected to pursue a multi-year deal. He was expected to be one of the more valuable closers on the market because as a Type B free agent and his 1.40 ground ball-to-fly ball ratio ranked first that year among free-agent closers. Originally, the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies were rumored to be interested in signing Rodney, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim were also reported to be in serious discussions with his agent. On December 24,2009, Rodney signed a two-year, $11 million contract with the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Rodney states, I think Im a different pitcher in save situations, referring to his lower ERA in save situations. He filled in April for Angels closer Brian Fuentes when he went on the disabled list with a strained back, on April 5,2011, Rodney was replaced by Jordan Walden as the full-time closer. In late September 2011, Rodney became frustrated after a lack of relief appearances, Rodney signed a $1.75 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2012 season. While Kyle Farnsworth was on the 60-day disabled list, Rodney performed in the closer role and he was selected on July 6 to participate in his first ever All-Star Game
24.
Mariano Rivera
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Mariano Rivera is a Panamanian-American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, from 1995 to 2013. Nicknamed Mo and Sandman, Rivera spent most of his career as a relief pitcher, a thirteen-time All-Star and five-time World Series champion, he is MLBs career leader in saves and games finished. Rivera won five American League Rolaids Relief Man Awards and three Delivery Man of the Year Awards, and he finished in the top three in voting for the AL Cy Young Award four times. Rivera was signed by the Yankees organization in Panama in 1990, initially a starting pitcher, he was converted to a relief pitcher late in his rookie year. After a breakthrough season in 1996 as a man, he became the Yankees closer in 1997. In the following seasons, he established himself as one of baseballs top relievers, leading the leagues in saves in 1999,2001. Rivera primarily threw a sharp-moving, mid-90s mile-per-hour cut fastball that frequently broke hitters bats, with his presence at the end of games, signaled by his foreboding entrance song Enter Sandman, Rivera was a key contributor to the Yankees success in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Rivera is regarded within baseball as one of the most dominant relievers in major league history. Pitching with a longevity and consistency uncommon to the role, he saved at least 25 games in 15 consecutive seasons and posted an ERA under 2.00 in 11 seasons. His career 2.21 ERA and 1.00 WHIP are the lowest in the live-ball era among qualified pitchers, fellow players credit him with popularizing the cut fastball across the major leagues. Along with his pitch, Rivera was known for his precise control, smooth pitching motion. In 2013, the Yankees retired his uniform number 42, he was the last major league player to wear the number full-time, Rivera has been involved in philanthropic causes and the Christian community through the Mariano Rivera Foundation. He is considered to be a candidate for the Baseball Hall of Fame once he is eligible. Mariano Rivera was born in Panama City, Panama, on November 29,1969, to Mariano Rivera Palacios, the couples second child, Rivera has one older sister, Delia, and two younger brothers, Alvaro and Giraldo. Supported by Mariano, Sr. s job as captain of a boat, the family lived in Puerto Caimito. As a young man, Rivera played soccer and baseball with his friends on the beach during low tide, soccer was his favorite sport, while his favorite athlete was Pelé. For baseball games, they substituted cardboard milk cartons for gloves and tree branches for bats, Rivera used this makeshift equipment until his father bought him his first leather glove when he was 12 years old. Speaking about his youth, Rivera said that although he stayed out of trouble, Rivera attended Escuela Victoriano Chacón for elementary school and La Escuela Secundaria Pedro Pablo Sanchez for his secondary education, but he dropped out in ninth grade
25.
Jason Giambi
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Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter. In his Major League Baseball career, which began in 1995, he played for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yankees, Colorado Rockies and he took performance-enhancing drugs during his career, for which use he publicly apologized. Giambi attended Sacred Heart Middle School in Pittsburgh and he then attended South Hills High School in his native West Covina, where he was a three-sport standout. Giambi was on the team, whose roster also included his brother Jeremy. He batted.386 during his three years of varsity baseball, leading his team to the finals as a senior. He was voted MVP in both baseball and basketball, in American football, he was an All-League quarterback. Giambi was selected in the 43rd round by the Milwaukee Brewers during the 1989 MLB draft and he did not sign and went on to attend college. Giambi attended Long Beach State University, where he played baseball for the Long Beach State 49ers baseball team. Giambi played collegiate baseball for the Alaska Goldpanners, in the Alaska Baseball League. The Oakland Athletics selected Giambi in the round of the 1992 Major League Baseball draft. He started his career year with the short season single A Northwest Leagues Southern Oregon As. He was a member of the fourth place United States national baseball team at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, the Athletics invited Giambi to spring training in 1993. He then spent the 1993 season playing for the Modesto As, Giambi also played for the Huntsville Stars in the Southern League. Giambi made his league debut with the Athletics in 1995. Originally used occasionally as an outfielder, third baseman, and first baseman, Giambi led the team in 1998 with 27 home runs,110 runs batted ins and a.295 batting average. In 1999, Giambi hit.315 with 33 homers,105 walks and he came in 8th in MLB Most Valuable Player Award voting. In the 2000 season, he led the league in on-base percentage and he hit.333 with 43 homers,137 RBIs,108 runs, and a.647 slugging percentage. Giambi narrowly won the American League Most Valuable Player Award over Frank Thomas and his 2001 season was nearly identical
26.
Ken Griffey Jr.
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George Kenneth Ken Griffey Jr. nicknamed Junior and The Kid, is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played 22 years in Major League Baseball. He spent most of his career with the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds, a 13-time All-Star, Griffey is one of the most prolific home run hitters in baseball history, his 630 home runs rank as the sixth-most in MLB history. Griffey was also a defender and won 10 Gold Glove Awards in center field. He is tied for the record of most consecutive games with a home run, although popular with fans around the league, Griffey was unable to shake reports of his petulant demeanor throughout his major league baseball career. Griffey is one of only 29 players in history to date to have appeared in Major League games in four different calendar decades. Following his playing career, Griffey joined the Mariners front office as a special consultant and he was inducted into both the Mariners Hall of Fame and the Reds Hall of Fame. In 2016, Griffey was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, receiving a record 99. 32% of the vote and he is the son of former MLB player Ken Griffey Sr. Griffey was born in Donora, Pennsylvania, on November 21,1969. His family moved to Cincinnati, Ohio, where his father, Ken Griffey Sr. played for the Cincinnati Reds, Ken Jr. was in the clubhouse during his fathers back-to-back championships in the 1975 and 1976 World Series. As a young child, Ken Sr. would instill in his son the pride of a team accomplishment rather than the individual performance and my dad would have bopped me on the head when I was a kid if I came home bragging about what I did on the field. He only wanted to know what the team did and he attended Archbishop Moeller High School in Cincinnati, where he was the U. S high school baseball player of the year in 1987. Griffey was the number one selection by the Seattle Mariners during the Major League Baseball Amateur Draft held on June 2,1987. He received a bonus of $16,000 from the Mariners. On June 11,1987 he joined the Bellingham Mariners of the Northwest League and he made his professional debut on June 16th,1987. During the 54-game season he hit.313 and he led the team with 14 home runs,40 RBI, and 13 steals. Baseball America magazine named him the number one major league prospect. In 1988, Griffey joined the San Bernardino Spirit of the California League, during his 58 games with the Spirit, Griffey batted.338, hit 11 home runs, drove in 42 runs, and stole an astounding 32 bases. Late in the season, Griffey was promoted to the Vermont Mariners of the Class AA Eastern League and he played the final 17 games with the club, hitting.279 with 2 home runs and 10 RBI. In his eleven seasons with Seattle Griffey established himself as one of the most prolific and exciting players of the era, racking up 1,752 hits,398 home runs,1,152 RBIs, and 167 stolen bases
27.
Silver Slugger Award
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Managers and coaches are not permitted to vote for players on their own team. The Silver Slugger was first awarded in 1980 and is given by Hillerich & Bradsby, the award is a bat-shaped trophy,3 feet tall, engraved with the names of each of the winners from the league and plated with sterling silver. The prize is presented to outfielders irrespective of their specific position, embattled home run record-holder Barry Bonds won twelve Silver Slugger Awards in his career as an outfielder, the most of any player. He also won the award in five consecutive seasons twice in his career, from 1990 to 1994, retired catcher Mike Piazza and former New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez are tied for second, with ten wins each. Rodriguez awards are split between two positions, he won seven Silver Sluggers as a shortstop for the Seattle Mariners and Texas Rangers, wade Boggs leads third basemen with eight Silver Slugger Awards, Barry Larkin leads shortstops with nine. Other leaders include Ryne Sandberg and Mike Hampton, todd Helton and Albert Pujols are tied for the most wins among first baseman with four, although Pujols has won two awards at other positions. David Ortiz has won seven awards at designated hitter position, the most at that position, inline citations Louisville Slugger – The Silver Slugger Award
28.
Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award
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The Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America, MVP voting takes place before the postseason, but the results are not announced until after the World Series. The BBWAA began by polling three writers in each city in 1938, reducing that number to two per league city in 1961. The BBWAA does not offer a definition of what most valuable means. First basemen, with 34 winners, have won the most MVPs among infielders, followed by second basemen, third basemen, of the 24 pitchers who have won the award,15 are right-handed while 9 are left-handed. Walter Johnson, Carl Hubbell, and Hal Newhouser are the pitchers who have won multiple times. Barry Bonds has won the most often and the most consecutively, jimmie Foxx was the first player to win multiple times,9 players have won three times, and 19 have won twice. Frank Robinson is the player to win the award in both the American and National Leagues. The awards only tie occurred in the National League in 1979, there have been 18 unanimous winners, who received all the first-place votes. The New York Yankees have the most winning players with 22, the award has never been presented to a member of the following four teams, Arizona Diamondbacks, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, and Tampa Bay Rays. The most recent recipients are Mike Trout in the American League, in recent decades, pitchers have rarely won the award. When Justin Verlander won the AL award in 2011, he became the first pitcher in league to be named the MVP since Dennis Eckersley in 1992. Verlander also became the first starting pitcher to win this award since Roger Clemens had accomplished the feat in 1986. The National League went even longer without an MVP award to a pitcher—after Bob Gibson won in 1968, the 1910 race for best average in the American League was between the Detroit Tigers widely disliked Ty Cobb and Nap Lajoie of the Cleveland Indians. On the last day of the season, Lajoie overtook Cobbs batting average with seven bunt hits against the St. Louis Browns, American League President Ban Johnson said a recalculation showed that Cobb had won the race anyway, and Chalmers ended up awarding cars to both players. The following season, Chalmers created the Chalmers Award, a committee of baseball writers were to convene after the season to determine the most important and useful player to the club and to the league. Since the award was not as effective at advertising as Chalmers had hoped, in 1922 the American League created a new award to honor the baseball player who is of the greatest all-around service to his club. Winners, voted on by a committee of eight baseball writers chaired by James Crusinberry, received a bronze medal, voters were required to select one player from each team and player-coaches and prior award winners were ineligible
29.
Cy Young Award
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The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball, one each for the American League and National League. The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955. The award was given to the single best pitcher in the major leagues, but in 1967, after the retirement of Frick. Each leagues award is voted on by members of the Baseball Writers Association of America, as of the 2010 season, each voter places a vote for first, second, third, fourth and fifth place among the pitchers of each league. The formula used to calculate the scores is a weighted sum of the votes. The pitcher with the highest score in league wins the award. If two pitchers receive the number of votes, the award is shared. The current formula started in the 2010 season, before that, dating back to 1970, writers voted for three pitchers, with the formula of 5 points for a first place vote,3 for a second place vote and 1 for a third place vote. Prior to 1970, writers voted for the best pitcher. The Cy Young Award was first introduced in 1956 by Commissioner of Baseball Ford C, Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955. The award would be given to pitchers only, originally given to the single best pitcher in the major leagues, the award changed its format over time. From 1956 to 1966, the award was given to one pitcher in Major League Baseball, after Frick retired in 1967, William Eckert became the new Commissioner of Baseball. Due to fan requests, Eckert announced that the Cy Young Award would be given out both in the American League and the National League. From 1956 to 1958, a pitcher was not allowed to win the award on more than one occasion, the first recipient of the Cy Young Award was Don Newcombe of the Dodgers. In 1957, Warren Spahn became the first left-handed pitcher to win the award, in 1963, Sandy Koufax became the first pitcher to win the award in a unanimous vote, two years later he became the first multiple winner. In 1978, Gaylord Perry became the oldest pitcher to receive the award, the youngest recipient was Dwight Gooden. Dickey became the first knuckleball pitcher to win the award, in 1974, Mike Marshall won the award, becoming the first relief pitcher to win the award. In 1992, Dennis Eckersley was the first modern closer to win the award, a total of nine relief pitchers have won the Cy Young Award across both leagues
30.
Rolaids Relief Man Award
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Relief pitchers are the pitchers who enter the game after the starting pitcher is removed. The award was sponsored by Rolaids, whose slogan was R-O-L-A-I-D-S spells relief, because the first closers were nicknamed firemen, a reference to putting out the fire of another teams rally, the trophy was a gold-plated firefighters helmet. Unlike other awards, such as the Cy Young Award or the MLB Most Valuable Player Award, each save was worth three points, each win was worth two points, and each loss was worth negative two points. Beginning with the 1987 MLB season, negative two points were given for blown saves, in the 2000 MLB season, the term tough save, which was worth an additional point, was introduced by Rolaids. A tough save happened when a relief pitcher entered the game already having the potential tying run on base, the player with the highest point total won the award. The inaugural award winners were Bill Campbell and Rawly Eastwick, Campbell also won in the following season, dan Quisenberry and Mariano Rivera each won the AL award five times, while Rollie Fingers and Bruce Sutter won the award four times each. Todd Worrell won both the Relief Man and the MLB Rookie of the Year Award in the 1986 MLB season, Rivera and Joe Nathan were the only relief pitchers to have tied in points for the award, and both were awarded in 2009. Goose Gossage, Fingers, Eckersley, and Sutter were elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, craig Kimbrel and Jim Johnson were the final award winners in 2012. Sanofi acquired Rolaids from Johnson & Johnson unit McNeil Consumer Healthcare in 2013, a Won Cy Young Award and MLB Most Valuable Player Award in the same season. B Won Cy Young Award in the same season, C Won MLB Rookie of the Year Award in the same season. McNeil Consumer Healthcare Division of McNeil-PPC, Inc, Rookie of the Year Awards & Rolaids Relief Award Winners
31.
Major League Baseball Reliever of the Year Award
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The awards are named after Mariano Rivera and Trevor Hoffman, who played their entire careers in the respective leagues. The awards were first issued in 2014, and replaced the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Year Award, also that season, the Major League Baseball Delivery Man of the Month Award was discontinued. Though all relief pitchers are eligible, all recipients of the award have been closers and this represents the four living relief pitchers who are in the Hall of Fame along with the top five relievers in career saves. Each voter selects three pitchers for each league based solely on their performance in the season, a 5-3-1 weighted point system is used to determine the winner. The Delivery Man Awards were initially part of an agreement between MLB and package delivery company DHL Express from 2005 to 2010. From its inception in 2005 through 2008, the award was given to a single reliever that was selected online by fans from a group of 10 finalists chosen by an MLB panel. The panel took sole responsibility to select the winner starting in 2009. The winner of the award was decided on by a four-man panel. The panel has included Darryl Hamilton and Mike Bauman, a national columnist for MLB. com, the awards were given through 2013. Rivera won the Delivery Man Award more than any other AL pitcher, he received the award in 2005,2006, and 2009. Hoffman won the award four times in the NL, winning in May 2005, September 2006, May 2007. Joe Nathan and Rafael Soriano have won the award three times. Other pitchers who won multiple times include Jonathan Papelbon, Brad Lidge, Heath Bell, DHL Delivery Man of the Month / DHL Delivery Man of the Year Award on Baseball Almanac
32.
New York Yankees
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The Essendon Football Club is a professional Australian rules football club which plays in the Australian Football League, the sports premier competition. Formed in 1871 as a club and playing as a senior club since 1878. It is historically associated with Essendon, a suburb in the north-west of Melbourne, dyson Heppell is the current team captain. A founding member club of both the Victorian Football Association, in 1877, and the Victorian Football League, in 1896, the club claims to have over at least one million supporters Australia wide. Essendon has won 16 VFL/AFL premierships which, along with Carlton, is the most of any club in the competition, the club was founded by members of the Royal Agricultural Society, the Melbourne Hunt Club and the Victorian Woolbrokers. The Essendon Football Club is thought to have formed in 1872 at a meeting it the home of a well-known brewery family, the McCrackens, whose Ascot Vale property hosted a team of local junior players. Robert McCracken, the owner of several city hotels, was the founder and first president of the Essendon club and his son, Alex, Alex would later become president of the newly formed VFL. Alexs cousin, Collier, who had played with Melbourne, was the teams first captain. The club played its first recorded match against the Carlton second twenty on 7 June 1873, Essendon played 13 matches in its first season, winning seven, with four draws and losing two. The club was one of the junior members of the Victorian Football Association in 1877. During its early years in the Association, Essendon played its matches at Flemington Hill. In 1878, Essendon played in the first match on what would be considered by modern standards to be a field at Flemington Hill. In 1879 Essendon played Melbourne in one of the earliest night matches recorded when the ball was painted white, in 1883 the team played four matches in Adelaide. In 1891 Essendon won their first VFA premiership, which they repeated in 1892,1893 and 1894, one of the clubs greatest players, Albert Thurgood played for the club during this period. Essendon was undefeated in the 1893 season, at the end of the 1896 season Essendon along with seven other clubs formed the Victorian Football League. Essendons first VFL game was in 1897 was against Geelong at Corio Oval in Geelong, Essendon won its first VFL premiership by winning the 1897 VFL finals series. Essendon again won the premiership in 1901, defeating Collingwood in the Grand Final, the club won successive premierships in 1911 and 1912 over Collingwood and South Melbourne respectively. The nickname first appeared in print in the local North Melbourne Advertiser in 1889 and it was known firstly as Essendon Town and, after 1905, as Essendon
33.
First baseman
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First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that players team. A first baseman is the player on the team playing defense who fields the area nearest first base, in the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the first baseman is assigned the number 3. Also called first sacker or cornerman, the first baseman is ideally a tall player who throws left-handed and possesses good flexibility, flexibility is needed because the first baseman receives throws from the other infielders, the catcher and the pitcher after they have fielded ground balls. In order for the runner to be called out, the first baseman must be able to stretch towards the throw and they often are power hitters who have a substantial number of home runs and extra base hits while maintaining a.270 plus batting average. Good defensive first basemen, according to Bill James, are capable of playing off first base so that they can field ground balls hit to the side of first base. The first baseman then relies upon the pitcher to cover first base to receive the ball to complete the out, indications of a good defensive first baseman include a large number of assists and a low number of throwing errors by other infielders. The nature of play at first base often requires first basemen to stay close to the bag to hold runners or to reach the bag before the batter. First basemen are not typically expected to have the range required of a baseman, shortstop. As a result, first base is not usually perceived to be as physically demanding as other positions, however, it can also be a very hard position to play, a large amount of concentration and timing is required. Though many play at first base their entire career, it is common for players to be moved to first base in order to extend their careers or to accommodate other recently acquired players. Facing a possible trade or a reduction in playing time. Catchers and corner outfielders are often moved to first base due to deteriorating health or if their fielding abilities at their position are detrimental to the team. When first base is not occupied by a baserunner, the first baseman usually stands behind first base, the distance he plays from the base and foul line is dependent on the current hitter and any runners on base. The exact position may depend on the first basemans experience, preference. For a known right-handed pull hitter, the first baseman might position himself further towards the second basemans normal fielding position, for a known left-handed pull hitter, the first baseman will position himself closer to the foul line in order to stop a ball hit down the line. To protect against a bunt on the first base side of the infield, as soon as the pitcher commits to throwing towards home plate, the first basemen will charge towards the hitter to field the bunt. During these plays, it is the responsibility of the second basemen to cover first base, with a base runner present at first base, the first baseman stands with his right foot touching the base to prepare for a pickoff attempt. Once the pitcher commits to throwing towards home plate, the first baseman comes off the bag in front of the runner and gets in a fielding position
34.
Designated hitter
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In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 5.11, adopted by the American League in 1973. The rule allows teams to have one player, known as the designated hitter, since 1973, most collegiate, amateur, and professional leagues have adopted the rule or some variant. MLBs National League and Nippon Professional Baseballs Central League are the most prominent professional leagues that do not use a designated hitter, in Major League Baseball, the designated hitter is a hitter who does not play a position, but instead fills in the batting order for the pitcher. The DH may only be used for the pitcher, as stated in Rule 5.11, use of the DH is optional, but must be determined prior to the start of the game. If a team does not begin a game with a DH, the designated hitter may be replaced as DH only by a player who has not entered the game. If a pinch hitter bats for, or a pinch runner runs for, the DH, the designated hitter can be moved to a fielding position during the game. If the DH is moved to position, his team forfeits the role of the designated hitter. If the designated hitter is moved to pitcher, any subsequent pitcher would bat should that spot in the order come up again. Unlike other positions, the DH is locked into the batting order, No multiple substitution may be made to alter the batting rotation of the DH. In other words, a switch involving the DH and a position player is not legal. For example, if the DH is batting fourth and the catcher is batting eighth, the manager cannot replace both players so as to have the new catcher bat fourth and the new DH bat eighth. In Major League Baseball, during play, the application of the DH rule is determined by the identity of the home team. If the game is played in an American League park, the hitter may be used, in a National League park. At first, the DH rule was not applied to the World Series, from 1973 to 1975, all World Series games were played under National League rules, with no DH and pitchers batting. For 1976, it was decided the DH rule would apply to all games in a World Series, regardless of venue, but only in even-numbered years. Cincinnati Reds first baseman Dan Driessen became the first National League player to act as a DH in any capacity when he was listed as the DH in the first game. Beginning in 1986, the DH rule was used in games played in the stadium of the American League representative, there was initially no DH in the All-Star Game. Beginning in 1989, the rule was applied only to games played in American League stadiums, since 2010, the designated hitter has always been used by both teams regardless of where the game is played
35.
Batting average
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Batting average is a statistic in cricket, baseball, and softball that measures the performance of batsmen in cricket and batters in baseball. The development of the statistic was influenced by the cricket statistic. In cricket, a batting average is the total number of runs they have scored divided by the number of times they have been out. The number is also simple to interpret intuitively, if all the batsmans innings were completed, this is the average number of runs they score per innings. If they did not complete all their innings, this number is an estimate of the average number of runs they score per innings. Batting average has been used to gauge cricket players relative skills since the 18th century, most players have career batting averages in the range of 20 to 40. This is also the range for wicket-keepers, though some fall short. All-rounders who are more prominent bowlers than batsmen typically average something between 20 and 30,15 and under is typical for specialist bowlers. Under this qualification, the highest Test batting average belongs to Australias Sir Donald Bradman, given that a career batting average over 50 is exceptional, and that only four other players have averages over 60, this is an outstanding statistic. The fact that Bradmans average is so far above that of any other cricketer has led several statisticians to argue that, statistically at least, he was the greatest sportsman in any sport. As at 21 October 2016, Adam Voges of Australia has recorded an average of 72.75 from 27 innings played and it should also be remembered, especially in relation to the ODI histogram above, that there were no ODI competitions when Bradman played. If their scores have a geometric distribution then total number of runs scored divided by the number of times out is the maximum likelihood estimate of their true unknown average, Batting averages can be strongly affected by the number of not outs. A different, and more developed, statistic which is also used to gauge the effectiveness of batsmen is the strike rate. It measures a different concept however – how quickly the batsman scores – so it does not supplant the role of batting average and it is used particularly in limited overs matches, where the speed at which a batsman scores is more important than it is in first-class cricket. Table shows players with at least 20 innings completed, in baseball, the batting average is defined by the number of hits divided by at bats. It is usually reported to three places and read without the decimal, A player with a batting average of.300 is batting three-hundred. A point is understood, in only, to be.001. If necessary to break ties, batting averages could be taken beyond the.001 measurement, henry Chadwick, an English statistician raised on cricket, was an influential figure in the early history of baseball
36.
Base on balls
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The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseballs Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08. The term base on balls distinguishes a walk from the manners in which a batter can be awarded first base without liability to be put out. An important difference is that for a hit batter or catchers interference, the ball is dead and no one may advance unless forced, a batter who draws a base on balls is commonly said to have been walked by the pitcher. When the batter is walked, runners advance one base without liability to be put out only if forced to vacate their base to allow the batter to take first base.04. Receiving a base on balls does not count as a hit or an at bat for a batter but does count as a time on base, therefore, a base on balls does not affect a players batting average, but it can increase his on-base percentage. A hit by pitch is not counted statistically as a walk, though the effect is mostly the same, one exception is that on a HBP, the ball is dead. On a HBP, any runners attempting to steal on the play must return to their original base unless forced to the next base anyway. When a walk occurs, the ball is live, any runner not forced to advance may nevertheless attempt to advance at his own risk. Also, because a ball is live when a base on balls occurs, runners on base forced to advance one base may attempt to advance one base. The batter-runner himself may attempt to advance beyond first base, at his own risk, rule 6.08 addresses this matter as well. An attempt to advance an additional base beyond the base awarded might occur when ball four is a ball or a wild pitch. In 1880, the National League changed the rules so that eight balls instead of nine were required for a walk, in 1884, the National League changed the rules so that six balls were required for a walk. In 1887, the National League and American Association agreed to abide by some uniform rule changes, in 1889, the National League and the American Association decreased the number of balls required for a walk to four. In 2017, Major League Baseball approved a change allowing for a batter to be walked intentionally by having the defending bench signal to the Umpire. The move was met some controversy. A subset of the base on balls, a base on balls or intentional walk is when the pitcher deliberately pitches the ball away from the batter in order to issue a base on balls. As with any other walk, an intentional walk entitles the batter to first base without liability to be put out, intentional walks are a strategic defensive maneuver, commonly done to bypass one hitter for one the defensive team believes is less likely to initiate a run-scoring play. Teams also commonly use intentional walks to set up a play or force out situation for the next batter
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