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The position of the right fielder

A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the right fielder is assigned the number 9.

Position description[link]

Outfielders must cover large distances, so speed, instincts and quickness to react to the ball are key. They must be able to catch fly balls above their head and on the run, as well as prevent balls hit down the right field foul line from getting past them. Being situated 250–300 feet from home plate, they must be able to throw the ball accurately over a long distance to be effective. Of all outfield positions, the right fielder often has the strongest arm, because they are the farthest from third base.

The right fielder tends to be a stronger offensive player than defensive, as right-handed batters, which are more common than left-handed ones, tend to pull the ball to left field.

As well as the requirements above, the right fielder backs up first base on all throws from the catcher and pitcher, when possible, and all bunted balls, since the catcher or the first baseman must be available for fielding the ball. The right fielder backs up second base on any ball thrown from the left side of the field, i.e. shortstop, third base, or foul line territory. The right fielder backs up first base when the first baseman is in a run down between 3rd base and home.

Right field has developed a reputation in Little League as being a position where less talented players can be "hidden" without damaging a team's defense in any significant way.^{[citation needed]} Unlike the major league level, where hitters have the ability to drive the ball into the outfield in all directions, most little league batters are unable to hit the ball out of the infield with any regularity. Additionally, since most batters are right-handed, the left fielder (and to some extent the center fielder) will have far more opportunities to make a play than the right fielder.

Hall of fame right fielders[link]

See also[link]

• Baseball Hall of Fame
• Gold Glove Award
• Outfielder

v t e Baseball positions Pitchers by role Ace pitcher Starting pitcher Relief pitcher Middle relief pitcher Long reliever Setup pitcher Closer Left-handed specialist by style Fireballer Power pitcher Control pitcher Groundball pitcher Flyball pitcher Switch pitcher Defensive players by number Pitcher (1 / P) Catcher (2 / C) First baseman (3 / 1B) Second baseman (4 / 2B) Third baseman (5 / 3B) Shortstop (6 / SS) Left fielder (7 / LF) Center fielder (8 / CF) Right fielder (9 / RF) by type Infielder Outfielder Utility player Utility infielder Position player Battery Fourth outfielder Corner outfielder Offensive players by role Batter Runner Batting order (1–9) Designated hitter Pinch hitter Pinch runner Lead off Leadoff hitter Cleanup hitter by style Clutch hitter Contact hitter Switch hitter Non-players Official scorer Umpire Manager Coaches General manager Related Disabled list Phantom ballplayer

Garrett Jones
Pittsburgh Pirates – No. 46
Outfielder / First baseman
Born: (1981-06-21) June 21, 1981 (age 31)
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
MLB debut
May 15, 2007 for the Minnesota Twins
Career statistics (through May 23, 2012)
Batting average	.252
Hits	378
Home runs	64
Runs batted in	205
Stolen bases	25
Teams
Minnesota Twins (2007) Pittsburgh Pirates (2009-present)

Jones during his tenure with the Rochester Red Wings, Triple-A affiliates of the Minnesota Twins, in 2008.

Garrett Thomas Jones (born June 21, 1981) is a Major League Baseball outfielder/first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

In 1999, Jones graduated from Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Illinois.

Professional career[link]

Atlanta Braves[link]

He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 14th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, but was released after three seasons in the Braves' minor league system.

Minnesota Twins[link]

He signed with the Minnesota Twins on May 24, 2002.^[1]

From 2005-2008, he played for the Rochester Red Wings, the Twins' AAA affiliate. Jones made his major league debut against Cleveland on May 15, 2007, recording his first hit, a single off Paul Byrd in the seventh inning.^[2]

After appearing in only 15 games with the Minnesota Twins, Jones became a free agent at the end of the 2008 season,

Pittsburgh Pirates[link]

Jones signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on December 16, 2008. He earned an invitation to Spring Training with the Pirates, but, despite an impressive performance, did not make the Pirates roster.^{[citation needed]}

On June 30, his contract was bought by the Pirates, and he was called up to take the roster spot that was vacated when Eric Hinske was traded to the New York Yankees.^[3] After being called up to the Pirates MLB roster, Jones hit ten home runs in his first month with the club and was named the National League's Rookie of the Month for July 2009.^[4]

On April 5, 2010, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Garrett Jones hit two home runs in his first two at bats, becoming the 6th Pirate to hit two home runs on Opening Day. While the first was long into right field, landing in the Allegheny River, the second cleared the left field wall.

He finished 2010 with 145 hits, scored 64 runs, hit 34 doubles, hit 1 triple, hit 21 home runs, batted in 86 runs, walked 53 times, struck out 123 times, stole 7 bases, had a .247 average, a .306 OBP, and a .414 slugging percentage in 592 at bats.

On August 16, 2011 Jones crushed a pitch from Arthur Rhodes into the river to give the Pirates a walk-off 5-4 victory.

References[link]

External links[link]

Baseball portal

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Nick Markakis
Markakis with the Orioles
Baltimore Orioles – No. 21
Right fielder
Born: (1983-11-17) November 17, 1983 (age 28) Glen Cove, New York
Bats: Left	Throws: Left
MLB debut
April 3, 2006 for the Baltimore Orioles
Career statistics (through May 27, 2012)
Batting average	.294
Home runs	112
Runs batted in	521
Hits	1,123
Teams
Baltimore Orioles (2006–present)
Career highlights and awards
Gold Glove Award winner (2011) Led AL in Sacrifice Flies (2009) Led AL in Outfield Assists (2008) Led MLB in OF Fielding Percentage (2011)

Nicholas William Markakis (born November 17, 1983) is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. Of Greek and German descent,^[1] Markakis is known for his arm strength, stellar right field defense and smooth hitting.^[2][3]

Early life[link]

Markakis was born on Long Island, New York, but he later moved to Woodstock, Georgia with his family, which includes his parents, Dennis and Mary Lou and his brothers Dennis, Greg and Michael (also an alumnus of Young Harris College).

College/Olympic career[link]

Markakis gets full extension.

At Young Harris College, Markakis played as both an outfielder and a pitcher, hitting .439 with 21 home runs and 92 RBIs, while also gathering a 12–0 win–loss record as a pitcher with 1 save and a 1.68 earned run average in 15 games. He was twice named Georgia Junior College Player of the Year and was awareded Baseball America's 2002 National JUCO Player of the Year.^[4]

In August 2003, he played in the European National Championships, winning a silver medal with Team Greece. He also played for the Greek Olympic baseball team in the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece.

Professional career[link]

Draft[link]

Markakis was originally drafted in 2001 by the Cincinnati Reds, from Woodstock High School in Woodstock, Georgia but decided to attend Young Harris College instead. The Reds drafted him again in 2002, but he returned to Young Harris.

He was the Orioles' first-round draft pick, seventh overall in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft. Owning a fastball that was clocked as high as 96 miles per hour, Nick was widely viewed as a pitching prospect but the Orioles preferred his potential as a hitter.

Minor league career[link]

Nick spent his first year with the Aberdeen IronBirds and then the Delmarva Shorebirds in 2004, where he hit .299, 11 homers and led the team with 64 RBI despite missing the last month of the season playing for Greece in the Olympics.

In 2005, Markakis started the year with the Frederick Keys and was named the top Orioles prospect by Baseball America. He won the Carolina/California League All-Star Game Home Run Derby, and followed that up by being named MVP of the All-Star game after hitting two homers. He was promoted a short time later to the Bowie Baysox and was ultimately named to the Second Team in the 2005 Minor League All-Star Roster.^[1] He also received the Brooks Robinson Award as the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year.

Major league career[link]

Markakis on May 13, 2009.

2006 offseason[link]

Markakis began his first spring training with the Orioles in 2006, and immediately established himself by reaching base 9 out of his first 10 plate appearances. He eventually earned an Opening Day roster spot.

2006 season[link]

Markakis made his major league debut on April 3, 2006, when he was used as a late-inning defensive replacement against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He received his first start and plate appearances two days later. Hitting second and playing left field, he drew three walks in his first three plate appearances and hit a 400 foot home run for his first major league hit in the 16–6 win.

On August 22, 2006, Markakis went 3 for 4 with 3 home runs in an Orioles 6–3 win at Camden Yards. Not only was it his first three-home run game, became the 18th Oriole to do so and the first since 1999. The feat prompted a curtain call from the dugout, earning him a feat that The Washington Post called "an ovation that is rarely seen in these parts anymore. Curtain calls are for Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, not Camden Yards."

Markakis finished his rookie season with a .291 average, 16 homers, 62 RBI and 2 stolen bases. On defense, he put up impressive stats in defensive ratings such as range factor and fielding percentage, ranking second among major league right fielders.

2007 season[link]

Markakis started the season as the starting right fielder.

He finished the season with a .300 average, 23 home runs, 112 RBI and 18 stolen bases.

He was 3rd in the AL in games played (161), 7th in at-bats (637), 6th in doubles (43), 7th in hits (191), 8th in RBIs (112) and 3rd in grounding into double plays (22).

Markakis also continued to play good defense as finished 5th in the league with 13 assists, 6th with a .994 fielding percentage. He was charged with just 2 errors in 318 total chances.

At the end of the season, Markakis could not agree to a contract extension with the Orioles and his contract was automatically renewed for another year at the baseline value of $455,000. He became eligible for arbitration after the 2008 season, and in the absence of a contract extension, would have become a free agent in 2011.

2008 season[link]

Markakis began the season as the team's #3 hitter and starting right fielder. He played well early in the year, but as the season went into the summer months, Orioles manager Dave Trembley opted to move him into the #2 hole, placing Melvin Mora behind him.

Impressively, Markakis finished the season in the top 10 in the American League in AVG, OBP, OPS, G, R, H, 2B, BB, *OPS+, RC (runs created). He also led the league in times on base.^[5] He raised his batting average to .306, slugged 20 home runs, hit 48 doubles (3rd in the major leagues), recorded 87 RBI, scored 106 runs and stole 10 bases on the season. He also had another stellar year in right field, notching 17 assists, which led the majors.

2009 season[link]

Markakis on August 2, 2009.

Markakis signed a 6-year, $66.1 million extension through 2014 on January 22, 2009.^[6] Markakis has also been honored with his very own shirt this season called "Nick the Stick, Camden's Finest."^[7] He finished the season with a .293 average, 18 home runs, 45 doubles (7th in the majors), 101 RBI, 94 runs and 6 stolen bases, in addition to being 4th in the majors with 14 outfield assists.

2010 season[link]

Markakis had a stellar 2010 season with the Orioles. He finished with a respectable .297 average, recording 45 doubles (5th in the majors), 60 RBI, 79 runs and 7 stolen bases.

2011 season[link]

Markakis got his 1000th hit against the Cleveland Indians on July 15. He was also awarded a Gold Glove.

Personal life[link]

Markakis and his wife, Christina, had their first child on March 11, 2009.^[8] A baby boy, Taylor Jason Markakis, weighed in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce. Christina gave birth to the couple's second child, Tucker Edward, weighing in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce, on May 27, 2010.

The couple lives year-round in Monkton, Maryland, where Markakis purchased a home during the 2008 season. He also owns a house in Waynesville, NC.^[9][10]

Charity work[link]

He has decided to donate 75,000 dollars per season towards the funds. His other outreach activities involve 'Going to Bat Against Breast Cancer', Prostate Cancer Foundation, and the Home Run Challenge. Nick was also presented the Roberto Clemente Award on September 2, 2009.^[11]

Right Side Foundation[link]

^[12] The Right Side Foundation was started by Nick and his wife Christina on May 28, 2009. The foundation was created to help distressed children, whether they are disadvantaged, sick, lonely, or grieving throughout Maryland. “Christina and I have adopted Maryland as our new home and believe that establishing our Foundation is the most effective way to formalize our charitable efforts and have the greatest impact on children in Maryland,” stated Nick.^[13]

Nick and Christina launch the Right Side Foundation.

Christina and Nick explained that their love of children, and the birth of their son, Taylor, helped decide that the foundation would be based on helping children because they feel that every child deserves to enjoy promise and innocence. “Nick and I have always loved children. As new parents, we see great promise in our son and want to do our part to ensure that other children in Maryland have opportunities to grow and enjoy life," Christina explained.^[14]

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Nick Markakis

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)
• Bowie Baysox profile

v t e Baltimore Orioles first-round draft picks 1965: McDonald 1966: Parks 1967: Grich 1968: Kennedy 1969: Hood 1970: West 1971: Stein 1972: Thomas 1973: Parrott 1974: Dauer 1975: Ford 1976: D. Williams 1977: Hazewood 1978: Boyce 1979: No first round pick 1980: J. Williams 1981: No first round pick 1982: Kucharski 1983: Wilson 1984: Hoover 1985: No first round pick 1986: No first round pick 1987: Myers, DuVall, Harnisch 1988: Olson, Gutiérrez 1989: B. McDonald 1990: Mussina 1991: M. Smith 1992: Hammonds 1993: Powell 1994: No first round pick 1995: Shepherd 1996: No first round pick 1997: Werth, D. McDonald, Ndungidi 1998: Elder, Tucker 1999: Paradis, Stahl, Bigbie, Reed, Cenate, Rice, Roberts 2000: Hale, Johnson 2001: C. Smith, Fontenot, Bass 2002: Loewen 2003: Markakis 2004: Townsend 2005: Snyder, Olson 2006: Rowell, Beato 2007: Wieters 2008: Matusz 2009: Hobgood 2010: Machado 2011: Bundy

v t e Baltimore Orioles current roster Active roster 2 J. J. Hardy 3 Ryan Flaherty 6 Steve Tolleson 9 Endy Chávez 10 Adam Jones 11 Robert Andino 12 Mark Reynolds 16 Wei-Yin Chen 17 Brian Matusz 19 Chris Davis 21 Nick Markakis 24 Wilson Betemit 28 Ronny Paulino 32 Matt Wieters 34 Jake Arrieta 36 Nick Johnson 37 Dana Eveland 38 Luis Ayala 39 Jason Hammel 40 Troy Patton 43 Jim Johnson 47 Pedro Strop 50 Miguel Gonzalez 56 Darren O'Day 63 Kevin Gregg Inactive roster 6 Ryan Adams 13 Xavier Avery 29 Tommy Hunter 30 Chris Tillman 49 Jason Berken 51 Joe Mahoney 58 Zach Phillips 61 Oliver Drake 82 Dylan Bundy Disabled list 1 Brian Roberts 14 Nolan Reimold 18 Tsuyoshi Wada 27 Matt Lindstrom 31 Taylor Teagarden 53 Zach Britton 55 Stuart Pomeranz Coaching staff Manager 26 Buck Showalter Bench Coach 77 John Russell First Base Coach 23 Wayne Kirby Third Base Coach 45 DeMarlo Hale Hitting Coach 15 Jim Presley Pitching Coach 41 Rick Adair Bullpen Coach 57 Bill Castro Bullpen Catcher 62 Rudy Árias Bullpen Catcher 67 Ronnie Deck

v t e American League Outfielder Gold Glove Award 1957: Kaline, Mays, Miñoso 1958: Kaline, Piersall, Siebern 1959: Jensen, Kaline, Miñoso 1960: Landis, Maris, Miñoso 1961: Kaline, Landis, Piersall 1962: Kaline, Landis, Mantle 1963: Kaline, Landis, Yastrzemski 1964: Davalillo, Kaline, Landis 1965: Kaline, Tresh, Yastrzemski 1966: Agee, Kaline, Oliva 1967: Blair, Kaline, Yastrzemski 1968: Smith, Stanley, Yastrzemski 1969: Blair, Stanley, Yastrzemski 1970: Berry, Blair, Stanley 1971: Blair, Otis, Yastrzemski 1972: Berry, Blair, Murcer 1973: Blair, Otis, Stanley 1974: Blair, Otis, Rudi 1975: Blair, Lynn, Rudi 1976: Evans, Manning, Rudi 1977: Beníquez, Cowens, Yastrzemski 1978: Evans, Lynn, Miller 1979: Evans, Lezcano, Lynn 1980: Lynn, Murphy, Wilson 1981: Evans, Henderson, Murphy 1982: Evans, Murphy, Winfield 1983: Evans, Murphy, Winfield 1984: Evans, Murphy, Winfield 1985: Evans/Murphy, Pettis, Winfield 1986: Barfield, Pettis, Puckett 1987: Barfield, Puckett, Winfield 1988: Pettis, Puckett, White 1989: Pettis, Puckett, White 1990: Burks, Griffey, Pettis 1991: Griffey, Puckett, White 1992: Griffey, Puckett, White 1993: Griffey, Lofton, White 1994: Griffey, Lofton, White 1995: Griffey, Lofton, White 1996: Buhner, Griffey, Lofton 1997: Edmonds, Griffey, Williams 1998: Edmonds, Griffey, Williams 1999: Green, Griffey, Williams 2000: Dye, Erstad, Williams 2001: Cameron, Hunter, Ichiro 2002: Erstad, Hunter, Ichiro 2003: Cameron, Hunter, Ichiro 2004: Hunter, Ichiro, Wells 2005: Hunter, Ichiro, Wells 2006: Hunter, Ichiro, Wells 2007: Hunter, Ichiro, Sizemore 2008: Hunter, Ichiro, Sizemore 2009: Hunter, Ichiro, Jones 2010: Crawford, Gutiérrez, Ichiro 2011: Ellsbury, Gordon, Markakis

Persondata
Name	Markakis, Nick
Alternative names
Short description	American baseball player
Date of birth	November 17, 1983
Place of birth	Glen Cove, New York
Date of death
Place of death

Jayson Werth
Werth at his introductory press conference with Washington
Washington Nationals – No. 28
Right fielder
Born: (1979-05-20) May 20, 1979 (age 33) Springfield, Illinois
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 1, 2002 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through April 18, 2012)
Batting average	.264
Home runs	143
Runs batted in	476
Hits	840
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (2002–2003) Los Angeles Dodgers (2004–2005) Philadelphia Phillies (2007–2010) Washington Nationals (2011–present)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (2008) All-Star (2009)

Jayson Richard Gowan Werth (born May 20, 1979) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He has previously played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right-handed.

Background[link]

Werth was born in Springfield, Illinois, and comes from an athletic family. One sister, Hillary, was a scholarship track athlete at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), while his other sister, Hannah, is a scholarship volleyball player for the University of Nebraska and his brother Adam plays soccer for Syracuse University. He is the son of Jeff Gowan, who led all Division I wide receivers in receptions while playing football for Illinois State University in 1976, and played in the St. Louis Cardinals minor-league affiliate, the Johnson City Cardinals in 1978,^[1] and Kim Schofield Werth, who competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the long jump and 100 meters. He is also the grandson of Ducky Schofield and nephew of Dick Schofield, both Major League Baseball infielders, and stepson of Dennis Werth, who played in parts of four seasons with the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees from 1979 through 1982. Werth is married with two children.^[2]

Baseball career[link]

Early career[link]

Werth had a lot of success as a youngster, playing for the top youth traveling teams in Springfield, IL. His teams began traveling at 7 years old and dominated the State of Illinois Youth Baseball with 4 consecutive State Championships (never finishing worse than 4th in Nationals) in Khoury League with the Bunn Brewers. He then played for a National power, the Springfield Flame where Werth and his teammates won the State and Midwest Regional Championship and finished Third in the 1993 Sandy Koufax World Series in Spring, Texas behind Pico Rivera, California and a Dallas, Texas team that included Major Leaguer Vernon Wells. Werth also was selected to play for the U.S. Junior Pan Am Games in 1995. He gained more attention while attending Glenwood High School in Chatham, Illinois, where he compiled a .652 batting average in his senior year with 15 home runs in 31 games and also helped his team to State Championship in 1996 (his Junior year).^{[citation needed]}

Werth initially planned on playing college baseball at the University of Georgia,^{[citation needed]} but changed his plans when he was drafted in the first round (22nd overall) by the Baltimore Orioles in the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft.

Prior to making his major-league debut, the Orioles traded Werth to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher John Bale. Werth broke into the major leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002.

Los Angeles Dodgers[link]

On March 29, 2004, Werth was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Jason Frasor after compiling two seasons in Toronto.

During spring training, on March 2, 2005, Werth was hit by a pitch from A.J. Burnett that broke his left wrist. Despite the injury, Werth was able to play in 102 games during the 2005 season, hitting .234 with 7 home runs (compared to 16 the previous year, in fewer at-bats). Eight months later, Werth underwent exploratory surgery which revealed two ligament tears that were repaired; however, his discomfort never subsided. On May 21, 2006, Werth had cortisone injected into his wrist; the wrist was placed in a cast for three to four weeks. On June 28, Werth suffered another wrist injury, but returned August 2 against the Chicago Cubs and went 3-for-6, with 4 RBI and 1 stolen base. These injury problems caused him to miss the entire 2006 season.

Philadelphia Phillies[link]

Jayson Werth batting

On December 19, 2006, Werth signed a one-year, $850,000 contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Werth had a career high five hits on August 26, 2007, against the San Diego Padres, and extended his streak on August 27, 2007, against the New York Mets to nine hits in consecutive plate appearances, topping Pete Rose's mark of 8-for-8 during the 1979 season.^[3]

In 2008, Werth began the season platooning with Geoff Jenkins in right field, but soon found himself playing every day in the early part of the season while regular center fielder Shane Victorino was on the disabled list. On May 16, he had a career night against the Blue Jays. He hit three home runs in one game, including a grand slam, a three-run home run, and a solo shot which put him one round-tripper short of hitting for the "homer cycle." He also tied the Phillies team record with 8 RBIs in one game.^[4] For the season, he led the majors in home runs against left-handed pitchers, with 16.^[5] On October 29, 2008, the Phillies won their second World Series title.

Despite being eligible for arbitration after the 2008 season, Werth agreed to a two-year contract with the Phillies worth $10 million on January 21, 2009.^[6]

Werth with the Phillies

On May 12, 2009, Werth made a pure steal of home plate in a bases-loaded situation against the Los Angeles Dodgers, which came in the seventh inning after previously stealing both second and third base. Werth stole four bases in the game, leading the team to a 5–3 victory, and again tying a Phillies record.^[7] On June 27, Werth became the 14th player in Toronto's Rogers Centre history to hit a home run into the stadium's 500 level. On July 10, Werth was named to the NL All-Star Team as a replacement for New York Mets' outfielder Carlos Beltran. On July 21, in a home game against the Chicago Cubs, Werth hit his first career walk-off home run, in the 13th inning against Jeff Samardzija, to deliver a 4–1 victory for the Phillies. He led the majors in pitches per plate appearance during the 2009 season, with 4.50.^[8] In Game 5 of the 2009 National League Championship Series, Werth hit home runs in the first and seventh innings, in a game which the Phillies won 10–4, clinching the series. Baseball fans voted Werth the 2009 "Unsung Star of the Year" in MLB's This Year in Baseball Awards.^[9]

Washington Nationals[link]

Werth playing for the Nationals against the Baltimore Orioles in May 2011

On December 5, 2010, Werth signed a seven-year contract with the Washington Nationals worth $126 million, the 14th richest contract in baseball history. He was introduced to the media on December 15, 2010 with his number 28 jersey.^[10]

Werth had a difficult 2011, highlighted by a June in which he had a .154 batting average, a .291 on-base percentage, and a .286 slugging percentage. On the season, Werth had a .232 batting average, with 20 home runs and 58 runs batted in.^[11]

On May 6, 2012, Werth broke his left wrist attempting to make a diving catch against his old team, the Philadelphia Phillies. The wrist is the same one that had caused him to miss much of the 2005 and all of the 2006 season. The injury was described as a "clean break," but Werth will consult with the same wrist specialist who treated him in 2005, to determine if there is any ligament damage. Werth is expected to be out for "months." The next day, Werth underwent surgery on the left wrist and is expected to be out for 12 weeks (3 months).^[12]

See also[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Jayson Werth

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• Third-generation Major League Baseball families

References[link]

Further reading[link]

• Lidz, Franz (August 23, 2010). "Get Out Of My Hair! He bristles at attention, whether it's for his bushy beard or his stellar play. But ignoring Jayson Werth is not an option". Sports Illustrated. http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1173389/index.htm. Retrieved 2010-08-20. 

External links[link]

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)

Vladimir Guerrero
Toronto Blue Jays
Designated Hitter / Right Fielder
Born: (1975-02-09) February 9, 1975 (age 37) Nizao, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
September 19, 1996 for the Montreal Expos
Career statistics (through 2011 season)
Batting average	.318
Hits	2,590
Home runs	449
Runs batted in	1,496
On-base plus slugging	.931
Stolen bases	181
Teams
Montreal Expos (1996–2003) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2004–2009) Texas Rangers (2010) Baltimore Orioles (2011)
Career highlights and awards
9× All-Star (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010) Most Valuable Player (AL) (2004) 8× Silver Slugger (1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010) 2007 Home Run Derby winner 6× Player of the Month Award 2× 30-30 club member (2001, 2002) Hit for the cycle on September 14, 2003

Vladimir Alvino Guerrero (born February 9, 1975, in Don Gregorio, Nizao, Dominican Republic) is a Major League Baseball right fielder and designated hitter. He is currently with the Toronto Blue Jays, having been offered a minor league contract and an "extended spring training" opportunity to get into game shape at the team's Dunedin, Florida facility before an expected summer call up.^[1]

In 2004, he was voted the American League MVP. He helped lead the Angels to five American League West championships (2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009), and was voted as one of the most feared hitters in baseball in a 2008 poll of all 30 major league managers.^[2]

A nine-time All Star, he is widely recognized as one of the best all-around players in the game because of his impressive offensive production, regularly hitting for power and average, and -- prior to injuries that robbed him of range -- stellar defense highlighted by one of the strongest throwing arms in baseball. He is also regarded as the game's premier "bad ball hitter," for his ability to consistently hit balls thrown well outside of his strike zone, a skill made evident on August 14, 2009, when Guerrero hit a pitch which bounced in front of home plate.^[3]

On September 26, 2011, Guerrero became the all-time MLB leader in hits among players from the Dominican Republic, surpassing Julio Franco. Through 2011, he was the leader among active major league outfielder in errors, with 125, and was second in assists, with 126.^[4][5]

Early years and family[link]

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 current minor leaguer Cristian Guerrero of the Gary SouthShore RailCats.

His 6'3" frame, strong arm, and unusual ability to hit balls out of the strike zone drew attention at a Dodgers training camp. After injuring his hamstring running out a double, he allegedly 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.^[6]

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.^[7] His September callup was unproductive, although he hit his first major league home run.

MLB career[link]

Montreal Expos[link]

Guerrero was signed by the Montreal Expos as an amateur free agent from the Harrisburg Senators in 1993 and eventually made his major league debut on September 19, 1996.

He was criticized during his first season in 1997 (he had played 9 games in 1996) 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 (12; tied), 1998 (17), 1999 (19), 2000 (10; tied), and 2001 (12; tied). He also led all NL outfielders in errors in 2002 (10), and led all AL outfielders in 2006 (11), and 2007 (9).^[8]

Scorn for Guerrero's free-swinging ways changed into admiration in 1998. While he continued to swing at pitches that were clearly balls, he also continued to hit them with authority. In one instance, Guerrero got a base hit off a pitch that bounced before arriving at home plate. Guerrero's superior hand-eye coordination and prodigious strength allowed him to be unusually aggressive at the plate, but still put up high batting averages year after year. Despite his freeswinging style, Guerrero has never struck out 100 times in any season.

Guerrero batted .324 with 38 HRs and 109 RBI in 1998. Before the end of the 1998 season, Guerrero agreed to a $28 million deal.^[9] Guerrero represented the Expos at the 1999 All-Star Game. During the 1999 season, Guerrero maintained a 31 game hitting streak‚ the longest in the majors in 12 years.^[10] He finished 1999 with 131 RBI, and in 2000, he hit 44 home runs; both figures remain career highs.

He posted similar or slightly improved numbers through the 2002 season. He also developed a running game, stealing 37 bases in 2001. In 2002, he stole a career-high 40 bases, and fell one home run short of becoming the fourth member of the "40-40 Club." However, he hit 30+ home runs and stole 30+ bases in both 2001 and 2002 (see 30-30 club).

Guerrero's 2003 season was shortened due to a back injury. In 394 at-bats, he hit .330 with 25 HRs and 79 RBIs. Because of the injury, some in the media thought signing him would be a risk. While he was playing injured, though, he still managed to hit for the cycle on September 14, 2003.

Los Angeles Angels[link]

Guerrero was a free agent for the first time after the 2003 season, and he signed a five year, $70 million deal with the Los Angeles Angels after being courted by several teams. The owner of the Angels, Arte Moreno, is the first Hispanic controlling owner of a Major League ballclub, and Guerrero cited Moreno's heritage as a motivating factor for choosing the Angels over other teams.^[11]

2004 MVP season[link]

During his first season with Angels, Guerrero led his club, and in some cases the American League (AL), in several offensive categories, including 124 runs (set new club record and led the AL), 13 outfield assists (T1st in AL), 366 total bases (tied club record and led AL), and a season ending batting average of .337 (3rd in AL). Second player in club history with .300/30/100 numbers. Among AL leaders, he finished in the top 10 of 20 major offensive categories, which led to Guerrero being voted the Gene Autry Trophy (Team MVP) by his teammates.Making his fifth MLB All-Star game appearance in July, he Led AL outfielders with 3,024,870 votes and was the first Angel outfielder to be a starter since Reggie Jackson in 1984.

Guerrero continued his offensive dominance in September, earning American League Player of the Month after batting .371 with 24 runs scored, six doubles, a triple, 10 home runs and 23 RBI. Guerrero was clutch down the stretch. Over the final seven games of the season, his 10 runs, six home runs and 11 RBI helped the Angels overcome a 3-game deficit, which ultimately led to an American League West Division Crown.

Down the stretch of the 2004 MLB season, Guerrero was impressive. Mike Scioscia, the Angels manager, said that Guerrero "really carried us on his back" in the last month of the season, as the Angels overtook first place from the faltering Oakland Athletics who finished the season one game behind in the standings. Guerrero leading the Angels to their first Western Division title since 1986 (The Angels won the 2002 World Series as the American League Wild Card). These late-season heroics led to Guerrero being chosen as the second Angel to win the AL MVP in franchise history. He finished with 354 points, 100 more than second place finisher Gary Sheffield.

In the opening best-of-5 round of the playoffs, the Angels were swept by the Boston Red Sox, and Guerrero had an odd batting line: just a .167 average, but six RBIs in three games. He would also have a grand slam in game 3.

2005 season[link]

Guerrero at bat vs. the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, August 28, 2005.

The Angels won the Western Division again in 2005, with Guerrero batting .317 with 32 home runs and 108 RBIs in 520 at bats. Late in the season, Guerrero became the 12th player to hit his 300th home run before the age of 30 (along with Hank Aaron, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Eddie Mathews, Harmon Killebrew, Mel Ott, Frank Robinson, Alex Rodriguez, Ken Griffey, Jr., Juan González, and Andruw Jones, who achieved the mark about the same time as Guerrero).

Guerrero had an up-and-down 2005 postseason, batting .389 in ALDS victory over the New York Yankees, but just .050 in the ALCS against the eventual world champion Chicago White Sox. He fared better in a national TV ad for Pepsi with the Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez; the two engaged in a personal home run competition that ended up with the moon being broken. Guerrero also appeared at Game Four of the 2005 World Series, where he was introduced as a member of Major League Baseball's Latino Legends Team.

Guerrero recorded his 1000th career RBI on July 15, 2006 at home against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Making his 8th Major League Baseball All-Star game appearance, Guerrero subsequently won his first career Home Run Derby in the 2007 season, highlighted by a 503-foot (153 m) home run. He is the third Angel to win the Derby (after Wally Joyner in 1986, and Garret Anderson in 2003). Guerrero was chosen for the All-Star Game in each of his first four seasons with the Angels (2004–2007). Guerrero's stellar fielding talent dwindled in the later 2000s due to age and injuries, prompting the long-time outfielder to be reassigned as a designated hitter at the start of the 2009 season.^[12]

2009 season[link]

It has been suggested^[who?] that Guerrero's signing with the Angels has helped lengthen his career, as many of his early career injuries were attributable to playing on the hard artificial surface at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.^{[citation needed]} The Angels exercised the option year on Guerrero's contract for 2009; he earned $15 million that year.

In 2009, Guerrero was named # 37 on the Sporting News' list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball. A panel of 100 baseball people, many of them members of the Baseball Hall of Fame and winners of major baseball awards, was polled to arrive at the list.^[13]

On August 10, Guerrero hit his 400th career home run off Tampa Bay Rays pitcher Russ Springer.^[14] On August 26, he recorded his 1,000th career hit as an Angel, a single off Detroit Tigers pitcher Edwin Jackson. This hit made Guerrero only the fourth player (Frank Robinson, Dave Winfield, Fred McGriff) to record 1,000 hits as a National League player and as an American league player.

On October 11, 2009, Guerrero hit a two-run RBI single to score Bobby Abreu and Chone Figgins off Jonathan Papelbon in the ninth-inning. The single gave the Angels a 7–6 lead and eventually the win to finally advance to the ALCS and beat the Boston Red Sox for the first time ever in postseason history. It was called "the biggest hit in Vlad's career."

2009 was the first time that Guerrero had a batting average below .300 (.295), an OPS below .800 (.794), or a doubles total less than 20 (16).

He set 15 team records – 10 career, 5 single season – during his tenure with the Angels.

Texas Rangers[link]

Guerrero in 2010 spring training.

On January 11, 2010, Guerrero signed a one-year, $5.5 million deal with incentives and a 2011 option with the Texas Rangers.

He broke up a no-hitter by Shawn Marcum in the seventh inning of the Opening Day game against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 5, 2010.^[15] On May 6, 2010 Guerrero hit two home runs versus the Kansas City Royals to secure a 13–12 win. On May 13, 2010 Guerrero's walk off line drive to left field won the final game of a three game series against the Oakland Athletics in the bottom of the twelfth. On May 25, 2010 he hit two more home runs to secure another win over the Kansas City Royals. On June 30, 2010, against his former team, the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Guerrero hit two home runs and went 4-for-4 with 5 RBIs.

Guerrero wound up appearing in 152 games with a batting average of .300 hitting 29 home runs and 115 RBI's earning him an All-Star game appearance and the Silver Slugger award in the regular season for a Texas Rangers club that wound up winning its division and ultimately, the first pennant in Rangers' history. He also earned his ninth invitation to the All-Star Game.^[16] On October 22, 2010, Guerrero drove in 3 runs during game 6 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, capturing the first American League pennant for the Texas Rangers.^[17] The Rangers would go on to lose the World Series to the San Francisco Giants in five games. On November 3 the Rangers declined to pick up Guerrero's 2011 option making him a free agent.

Baltimore Orioles[link]

Guerrero signed a one-year, US $8 million contract with the Baltimore Orioles on February 18, 2011.^[18] He became the all-time MLB hits leader among Dominican-born players when he singled off Josh Beckett in the sixth inning of a 6–3 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Camden Yards on September 26, 2011.^[19]. In 2011, Guerrero hit .290, his lowest since his rookie year with the Montreal Expos in 1996. He also had 13 home runs and 63 RBI's with the struggling Baltimore Orioles. Though it seemed like a unproductive year for him, Guerrero still hit in the top 20 and had 163 base hits.

Toronto Blue Jays[link]

Guerrero remained unsigned by any team going into the 2012 Major League Baseball season, leading to much speculation about his potential retirement, though Guerrero insisted that he would not retire.^[20] On May 10, 2012, Guerrero signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.^[21] During his first game for the Class-A Dunedin Blue Jays on Sunday May 27, 2012, Guerrero hit a home run.^[22]

Batting style[link]

Guerrero bats without wearing batting gloves, a custom rarely seen in modern baseball. In an interview with Yahoo! Sports, he attributed this to helping his grandfather pull cows home barehanded as a young boy in the Dominican Republic. To improve his grip on the bat, he coats his helmet with pine tar and simply rubs his helmet before going into the on-deck circle. As the season progresses, his batting helmet becomes covered in the substance. This was particularly noticeable with the bright red helmet of the Angels.^{[citation needed]}

Guerrero batted over .300 from 1997 to 2008. He has driven in over 100 runs in every season but 2003 and 2008. Along with his 2004 MVP season, he has finished 6th (2000), 4th (2002), 3rd (2005), 9th (2006), and 3rd (2007) in MVP voting.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, Guerrero swung at a higher percentage of pitches outside the strike zone, 45.5%, than any other hitter in major league baseball up to that time – Albert Pujols has since matched this feat.^[23]

He had a 44-game hitting streak exclusively against the Texas Rangers from 2004 to 2006, the longest such player-vs.-team streak in MLB history since 1969.^[10] The streak occurred over his first 44 appearances against the Rangers. Guerrero has decimated Ranger pitching over his career, putting up a career batting line of .395/.466/.681 with 22 HR, 29 Doubles and 63 RBI in 87 games.^{[citation needed]}

During the 2009 post-season, Cal Ripken Jr. commented during a TBS post-game report that Guerrero was "the best bad-ball hitter he's ever seen." On one occasion in a game against the Baltimore Orioles, Guerrero hit a pitch that bounced in the dirt before home plate. Even more unusual, his bat struck the ground as well before hitting the ball.^[3]

Dominican Republic[link]

Guerrero was named to the Dominican Republic's roster for the 2006 World Baseball Classic, although he eventually withdrew due to the death of three cousins in a car accident immediately before the tournament.^{[citation needed]} He has provided several job opportunities in his hometown in the Dominican Republic through his business ventures: a concrete-block factory, a propane distributorship, a supermarket, a livestock and vegetable farm, and a women's clothing store.^{[citation needed]}

Awards and honors[link]

• American League Most Valuable Player (2004)
• Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award (2010)
• 9x MLB All-Star (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010)
• 8x Silver Slugger Award winner (1999, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2010)
• 2x Montreal Expos Minor League Player of the Year (1995, 1996)
• 4x Montreal Expos Player of the Year (1998, 1999, 2000, 2001)
• 4x Los Angeles Angels Player of the Year (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
• 2x Baseball America First-Team Major League All-Star OF (2000, 2004)
• 3x Baseball America Second-Team Major League All-Star OF (1998, 1999, 2005)
• South Atlantic League All-Star OF (1995)
• Eastern League MVP (1996)
• AA Player of the Year (1996)
• Baseball America 1st team Minor League All-Star OF (1996)
• Double-A All-Star OF (1996)
• Eastern League All-Star OF (1996)
• Eastern League Rookie of the Year (1996)

Career statistical highlights[link]

League Top-Ten[link]

• Top 10 in MVP (2000, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2007)
• Top 10 in AVG (1998, 2000, 2002–2007)
• Top 10 in Home Runs (1998–2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2007)
• Top 10 in RBI (1999, 2000, 2002–2007)
• Top 10 in Slugging Percentage (1998–2000, 2002–2008)
• Top 10 in OBA (2002–2005, 2007)
• Top 10 in OPS (1999, 2000, 2002–2008)
• Top 10 in Hits (1998–2002, 2004, 2006)
• Top 10 in Runs (2002, 2004)
• Top 10 in Stolen Bases (2001, 2002)

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
• List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI
• List of Major League Baseball players with 400 doubles
• 30-30 club
• Hitting for the cycle
• List of Major League Baseball runs scored champions
• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Vladimir Guerrero

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)