Neftali Feliz
Texas Rangers – No. 30
Starting pitcher
Born: (1988-05-02) May 2, 1988 (age 24) Azua, Dominican Republic
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
August 3, 2009 for the Texas Rangers
Career statistics (through May 8, 2012)
Win-loss	9–7
Earned run average	2.68
Strikeouts	190
Saves	74
Teams
Texas Rangers (2009–present)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star selection (2010) Held MLB record for most saves by a rookie in a single season, with 40 (2010) 2010 AL Rookie of the Year

Neftalí Feliz Antonio (English pronunciation: /nɛfˈtɑːli fɛˈliːs/; born May 2, 1988) is a Dominican right-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball. Feliz was the Rangers best prospect according to Baseball America, and one of the top five pitching prospects in baseball at the start of 2010.^[1] His best pitch is his fastball, which consistently hits the upper-90s and can reach triple digits.^[2]

Baseball career[link]

Feliz was signed by the Atlanta Braves as a free agent out of the Dominican Republic in 2005. On July 31, 2007 he was traded from the Braves to the Texas Rangers along with Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Matt Harrison, Beau Jones, and Elvis Andrus for Mark Teixeira and Ron Mahay.

2009[link]

Feliz was called up to the majors for the first time on August 2, 2009.^[3] He made his debut on August 3, striking out four in two scoreless innings.^[4] He finished the season with a 1–0 record and a 1.74 earned run average in 20 games, with 39 strikeouts and two saves in 31 innings pitched.

2010[link]

After two blown saves by Frank Francisco to start the 2010 baseball season, Feliz was promoted to closer to replace Francisco.^[5]

On July 4, 2010, Feliz was named to his first MLB All-Star Game. He was accompanied by teammates Vladimir Guerrero, Josh Hamilton, Ian Kinsler, Elvis Andrus, and the newly acquired Cliff Lee. However, Feliz did not pitch during the game.

On September 1, 2010, Feliz threw a fastball recorded at 103.4 mph, currently the 3rd fastest any pitcher has ever thrown (behind Aroldis Chapman and Joel Zumaya).^[6]

On September 25, 2010, Feliz earned his 38th save of the season, breaking the single-season record for saves by a rookie. He would go on to finish the season with 40. The previous record was held by Kazuhiro Sasaki of the Seattle Mariners, with 37 in in 2000.

During Game 6 of the 2010 American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees, Feliz got the final three outs in the 9th inning and sent the Rangers to the World Series for the first time in franchise history. On October 30, 2010, Feliz went three up, three down to close a 4–2 Rangers win in Game 3 of the World Series, making him the second youngest player to record a save in the World Series.^[7] The Texas Rangers lost the World Series to the San Francisco Giants in 5 games.

On November 15, 2010, Feliz was awarded the 2010 American League Rookie of the Year Award, the first Ranger to win the award since Mike Hargrove in 1974. He beat out Tigers' center fielder Austin Jackson, and Twins' third baseman Danny Valencia.^[8]

He was also named the closer on Baseball America's 2010 All-Rookie Team and the Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team.^[9][10]

2011[link]

In 2011, he was 2–3 with a 2.74 ERA, and 32 saves (5th in the American League, and tied for 9th-most in Rangers history).^[11][12] During Game 6 of the 2011 World Series, with two outs, two strikes, and two runners on, Neftali Feliz blew a two run lead in the bottom of the 9th inning when he gave up a two-run triple to David Freese, driving in both Albert Pujols and Lance Berkman. The Cardinals would go on to win Game 6 after David Freese homered in extra innings. The Rangers lost their second straight chance of getting a World Series title as the St. Louis Cardinals would win the series within all 7 games.^[13]

2012[link]

With the addition of veteran closer Joe Nathan, the Texas Rangers bumped Feliz into the starting rotation for the 2012 season. His first start came on April 10 against the Seattle Mariners. He pitched 7 shutout innings, only giving up 4 hits and 2 walks with 4 strikeouts in a 1-0 victory.

References[link]

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)
• MILB.com Profile

Feliz
Location of Feliz
Region	Sul
State	Rio Grande do Sul
Founded	17 February 1959
Area
• Total	96.232 km2 (37.155 sq mi)
Population (2006)
• Total	12,974

Feliz is a municipality (município) in the Brazilian state of Rio Grande do Sul.

v t e Municipalities of Rio Grande do Sul Capital: Porto Alegre   Mesoregion Centro Ocidental Rio-Grandense Restinga Seca Agudo Dona Francisca Faxinal do Soturno Formigueiro Ivorá Nova Palma Restinga Seca São João do Polêsine Silveira Martins Santa Maria Cacequi Dilermando de Aguiar Itaara Jaguari Mata Nova Esperança do Sul Santa Maria São Martinho da Serra São Pedro do Sul São Sepé São Vicente do Sul Toropi Vila Nova do Sul Santiago Capão do Cipó Itacurubi Jari Júlio de Castilhos Pinhal Grande Quevedos Santiago Tupanciretã Unistalda   Mesoregion Centro Oriental Rio-Grandense Cachoeira do Sul Cachoeira do Sul Cerro Branco Novo Cabrais Pantano Grande Paraíso do Sul Passo do Sobrado Rio Pardo Lajeado-Estrela Arroio do Meio Bom Retiro do Sul Boqueirão do Leão Canudos do Vale Capitão Colinas Coqueiro Baixo Cruzeiro do Sul Doutor Ricardo Encantado Estrela Fazenda Vilanova Forquetinha Imigrante Lajeado Marques de Souza Muçum Nova Bréscia Paverama Pouso Novo Progresso Relvado Roca Sales Santa Clara do Sul Sério Tabaí Taquari Teutônia Travesseiro Vespasiano Correa Westfália Santa Cruz do Sul Arroio do Tigre Candelária Estrela Velha Gramado Xavier Herveiras Ibarama Lagoa Bonita do Sul Mato Leitão Passa Sete Santa Cruz do Sul Segredo Sinimbu Sobradinho Vale do Sol Venâncio Aires Vera Cruz   Mesoregion Metropolitana de Porto Alegre Camaqua Arambaré Barra do Ribeiro Camaquã Cerro Grande do Sul Chuvisca Dom Feliciano Sentinela do Sul Tapes Gramado-Canela Canela Dois Irmãos Gramado Igrejinha Ivoti Lindolfo Collor Morro Reuter Nova Petrópolis Picada Café Presidente Lucena Riozinho Rolante Santa Maria do Herval Taquara Três Coroas Montenegro Alto Feliz Barão Bom Princípio Brochier Capela de Santana Feliz Harmonia Linha Nova Maratá Montenegro Pareci Novo Poço das Antas Portão Salvador do Sul São José do Hortêncio São José do Sul São Pedro da Serra São Sebastião do Caí São Vendelino Tupandi Vale Real Osorio Arroio do Sal Balneário Pinhal Capão da Canoa Capivari do Sul Caraá Cidreira Dom Pedro de Alcântara Imbé Itati Mampituba Maquiné Morrinhos do Sul Mostardas Osório Palmares do Sul Santo Antônio da Patrulha Tavares Terra de Areia Torres Tramandaí Três Cachoeiras Três Forquilhas Xangri-lá Porto Alegre Alvorada Araricá Cachoeirinha Campo Bom Canoas Eldorado do Sul Estância Velha Esteio Glorinha Gravataí Guaíba Mariana Pimentel Nova Hartz Nova Santa Rita Novo Hamburgo Parobé Porto Alegre São Leopoldo Sapiranga Sapucaia do Sul Sertão Santana Viamão Sao Jeronimo Arroio dos Ratos Barão do Triunfo Butiá Charqueadas General Câmara Minas do Leão São Jerônimo Triunfo Vale Verde   Mesoregion Nordeste Rio-Grandense Caxias do Sul Antônio Prado Bento Gonçalves Boa Vista do Sul Carlos Barbosa Caxias do Sul Coronel Pilar Cotiporã Fagundes Varela Farroupilha Flores da Cunha Garibaldi Monte Belo do Sul Nova Pádua Nova Roma do Sul Santa Tereza São Marcos Veranópolis Vila Flores Guapore André da Rocha Anta Gorda Arvorezinha Dois Lajeados Guabiju Guaporé Ilópolis Itapuca Montauri Nova Alvorada Nova Araçá Nova Bassano Nova Prata Paraí Protásio Alves Putinga São Jorge São Valentim do Sul Serafina Corrêa União da Serra Vista Alegre do Prata Vacaria Bom Jesus Cambará do Sul Campestre da Serra Capão Bonito do Sul Esmeralda Ipê Jaquirana Lagoa Vermelha Monte Alegre dos Campos Muitos Capões Pinhal da Serra São Francisco de Paula São José dos Ausentes Vacaria   Mesoregion Noroeste Rio-Grandense Carazinho Almirante Tamandaré do Sul Barra Funda Boa Vista das Missões Carazinho Cerro Grande Chapada Coqueiros do Sul Jaboticaba Lajeado do Bugre Nova Boa Vista Novo Barreiro Palmeira das Missões Pinhal Sagrada Família Santo Antônio do Planalto São José das Missões São Pedro das Missões Sarandi Cerro Largo Caibaté Campina das Missões Cerro Largo Guarani das Missões Mato Queimado Porto Xavier Roque Gonzales Salvador das Missões São Paulo das Missões São Pedro do Butiá Sete de Setembro Cruz Alta Alto Alegre Boa Vista do Cadeado Boa Vista do Incra Campos Borges Cruz Alta Espumoso Fortaleza dos Valos Ibirubá Jacuizinho Jóia Quinze de Novembro Saldanha Marinho Salto do Jacuí Santa Bárbara do Sul Erechim Aratiba Áurea Barão de Cotegipe Barra do Rio Azul Benjamin Constant do Sul Campinas do Sul Carlos Gomes Centenário Cruzaltense Entre Rios do Sul Erebango Erechim Erval Grande Estação Faxinalzinho Floriano Peixoto Gaurama Getúlio Vargas Ipiranga do Sul Itatiba do Sul Jacutinga Marcelino Ramos Mariano Moro Paulo Bento Ponte Preta Quatro Irmãos São Valentim Severiano de Almeida Três Arroios Viadutos Frederico Westphalen Alpestre Ametista do Sul Caiçara Constantina Cristal do Sul Dois Irmãos das Missões Engenho Velho Erval Seco Frederico Westphalen Gramado dos Loureiros Iraí Liberato Salzano Nonoai Novo Tiradentes Novo Xingu Palmitinho Pinheirinho do Vale Planalto Rio dos Índios Rodeio Bonito Rondinha Seberi Taquaruçu do Sul Três Palmeiras Trindade do Sul Vicente Dutra Vista Alegre Ijui Ajuricaba Alegria Augusto Pestana Bozano Chiapetta Condor Coronel Barros Coronel Bicaco Ijuí Inhacorá Nova Ramada Panambi Pejuçara Santo Augusto São Valério do Sul Nao-Me-Toque Colorado Lagoa dos Três Cantos Não-Me-Toque Selbach Tapera Tio Hugo Victor Graeff Passo Fundo Água Santa Camargo Casca Caseiros Charrua Ciríaco Coxilha David Canabarro Ernestina Gentil Ibiraiaras Marau Mato Castelhano Muliterno Nicolau Vergueiro Passo Fundo Pontão Ronda Alta Santa Cecília do Sul Santo Antônio do Palma São Domingos do Sul Sertão Tapejara Vanini Vila Lângaro Vila Maria Sananduva Barracão Cacique Doble Ibiaçá Machadinho Maximiliano de Almeida Paim Filho Sananduva Santo Expedito do Sul São João da Urtiga São José do Ouro Tupanci do Sul Santa Rosa Alecrim Cândido Godói Independência Novo Machado Porto Lucena Porto Mauá Porto Vera Cruz Santa Rosa Santo Cristo São José do Inhacorá Três de Maio Tucunduva Tuparendi Santo Angelo Bossoroca Catuípe Dezesseis de Novembro Entre-Ijuís Eugênio de Castro Giruá Pirapó Rolador Santo Ângelo Santo Antônio das Missões São Luiz Gonzaga São Miguel das Missões São Nicolau Senador Salgado Filho Ubiretama Vitória das Missões Soledade Barros Cassal Fontoura Xavier Ibirapuitã Lagoão Mormaço São José do Herval Soledade Tunas Tres Passos Barra do Guarita Boa Vista do Buricá Bom Progresso Braga Campo Novo Crissiumal Derrubadas Doutor Maurício Cardoso Esperança do Sul Horizontina Humaitá Miraguaí Nova Candelária Redentora São Martinho Sede Nova Tenente Portela Tiradentes do Sul Três Passos Vista Gaúcha   Mesoregion Sudeste Rio-Grandense Jaguarão Arroio Grande Herval Jaguarão Litoral Lagunar Chuí Rio Grande Santa Vitória do Palmar São José do Norte Pelotas Arroio do Padre Canguçu Capão do Leão Cerrito Cristal Morro Redondo Pedro Osório Pelotas São Lourenço do Sul Turuçu Serras de Sudeste Amaral Ferrador Caçapava do Sul Candiota Encruzilhada do Sul Pedras Altas Pinheiro Machado Piratini Santana da Boa Vista   Mesoregion Sudoeste Rio-Grandense Campanha Central Rosário do Sul Santa Margarida do Sul Santana do Livramento São Gabriel Campanha Meridional Aceguá Bagé Dom Pedrito Hulha Negra Lavras do Sul Campanha Ocidental Alegrete Barra do Quaraí Garruchos Itaqui Maçambara Manoel Viana São Borja São Francisco de Assis Uruguaiana Quaraí

Coordinates: 29°27′03″S 51°18′21″W / 29.4508333433°S 51.3058333433°W / -29.4508333433; -51.3058333433

This geographical article relating to Rio Grande do Sul is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. v t e

Mike Napoli
Texas Rangers – No. 25
Catcher / First Baseman
Born: (1981-10-31) October 31, 1981 (age 30) Hollywood, Florida
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
May 4, 2006 for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Career statistics (through April 19, 2012)
Batting average	.263
Home runs	129
Runs batted in	340
Teams
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2006–2010) Texas Rangers (2011–present)
Career highlights and awards
Hit a home run in his first career at-bat.

Michael Anthony Napoli (born October 31, 1981 in Hollywood, Florida) is a Major League Baseball catcher/first baseman with the Texas Rangers.

Early career[link]

Napoli attended Charles Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida. He was drafted out of high school by the Anaheim Angels in the 17th round (500th overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft.

Minor league career[link]

Napoli began his professional career with the rookie-level Butte Copper Kings, but sat out most of the year after suffering a lower back strain. He returned to the diamond in 2001 with the High-A Rancho Cucamonga Quakes before transferring to Single-A Cedar Rapids. In 2002, he returned to Cedar Rapids, hitting .251 with 10 home runs and 50 RBI as the Kernels' primary designated hitter. He also started at catcher for 37 games. After being transferred to Rancho Cucamonga in 2003, Napoli only played 47 games after injuring his right shoulder.

2004 was Napoli's breakout year with the Quakes. His offensive production exploded, as he hit .282 with 29 home runs and 118 RBI, ranking seventh in RBI and ninth in walks in all of the minor leagues. In 2005, Napoli was promoted to Double-A Arkansas, finishing second in the league in extra-base hits and fifth in runs scored.

Napoli played for the Santiago "Las Aguilas" in the Dominican Republic during the winters of 2004 and 2005.

Major League career[link]

2006[link]

Napoli was behind his best friend, Angels prospect Jeff Mathis on the organizational depth chart to start the 2006 season. However, Mathis struggled during his 23-game stint at the major league level to begin the season, allowing Napoli to make the active roster for the Angels. Napoli made his Major League Baseball debut on May 5, 2006 against the Detroit Tigers in Comerica Park, and proceeded to hit a home-run in his first Major League at-bat off starting pitcher Justin Verlander. With solid offensive and defensive numbers, Napoli worked his way to become the Angels' regular starting catcher. In 2006, Napoli hit .228 with 16 home runs in only 268 at-bats.

2007[link]

Napoli batting for the Angels in 2007.

Napoli began the 2007 as the Opening Day starting catcher, and split time with José Molina through the first half of the season. The second half of the season was injury-marred for Napoli, as he suffered a sprained ankle on a game-winning play at the plate during the final game before the All-Star break, causing him to miss 12 games. He then suffered a strained hamstring only 5 games after returning, causing him to miss all of August as a result. For the season, Napoli ended up batting .247 with 10 home runs, despite appearing in only 75 games.

2008[link]

Napoli again was the Angels Opening Day starter at catcher, and after fully recovering from his 2007 injuries, began the 2008 season on a torrid pace, belting 6 home runs in the month of April. Despite his impressive hitting performances, Napoli continued to share time behind the plate with Jeff Mathis, who had assumed the back-up duties after the Angels trade of Molina during the 2007 season. Unfortunately, the injury bug bit Napoli again in July, causing him to miss 28 games with shoulder issues. However, after fully recovering from the injury, Napoli exploded down the stretch, leading all of Major League Baseball with a .457 batting average in the month of September. For the season, Napoli tallied a .273 batting average and 20 home runs, both career highs. Napoli also amassed an incredible .960 OPS (On-base + Slugging percentage), which would have placed him in the top 5 in the American League in that category, had he accumulated enough at-bats to qualify for the league leaders. Napoli's production helped the Angels win the 2008 American League West Division championship, with an impressive 100–62 record.

Napoli also posted one of the greatest individual post-season performances in Angels history during the 2008 American League Divisional Series against the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park. In Game 3 of the series, with the Red Sox holding a 2–0 series lead, Napoli unloaded 2 mammoth home runs against Red Sox Starting Pitcher Josh Beckett, helping extend the game into extra innings. He then singled and scored the game-winning run in the 11th inning, preventing the Red Sox from sweeping the series.

2009[link]

Napoli continued to compete with Jeff Mathis for the leading catcher spot in 2009. He also started 18 games at designated hitter as teammate Vladimir Guerrero could not fulfill that role because of an injury. Still, despite his platooning of playing time with Mathis, Napoli continued to thrive at the plate. In his first injury-free season since his rookie year, Napoli set or matched career highs in virtually every offensive category, including games played (114), at bats (382), runs scored (60), hits (104), doubles (22), and Runs Batted In (56). He also finished the season with a .272 Batting Average and again hit 20 home runs for the second season in a row. On defense, he led AL catchers in errors, with 8.^[1]

2010[link]

In 2010, Napoli's role at DH seemed to be reduced as the Angels signed Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui.^[2]

He went into spring training with a bigger glove and worked on fundamentals in hopes of getting more playing time as a catcher.^[3]

However, Napoli wound up playing the majority of the 2010 season at first base. He made his first major league start at first base on May 30, after regular first baseman Kendrys Morales broke his lower leg in a walk-off celebration. With the loss of Morales for the season, and the return of fellow catcher Jeff Mathis from the disabled list, Napoli started 70 games at first base, posting a .989 Fielding Percentage. Napoli set career highs in several categories, most notably home runs (26). He was 7th in the AL in strikeouts (137), in 453 at bats.^[1]

Mike Napoli also became the Angels all-time leader in home runs by a catcher during the 2010 season.^{[citation needed]}

2011[link]

On January 21, Napoli was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays along with outfielder Juan Rivera in exchange for outfielder Vernon Wells.^[4] Four days later, he was traded by the Blue Jays to the Texas Rangers in exchange for pitcher Frank Francisco.^[5]

On May 29, he was involved in a controversial play at home plate that ended the game in the ninth inning in a game against the Kansas City Royals. Napoli was at first and Elvis Andrus was up against Joakim Soria. Andrus hit a shot past Eric Hosmer that got into right field. Napoli was sent home by the third-base coach. Hosmer threw a gun to the plate. Brayan Pena tagged Napoli on the upper shoulder, but Napoli was called safe by the home-plate umpire, giving the Rangers a walk-off win. Pena was enraged and arguing with the umpires with manager Ned Yost. Replays showed that Pena did not block the plate, but tagged Napoli, who got his feet in just before the tag. In his first season with the Rangers he batted .320 with 30 home runs (10th in the American League) and 75 RBIs, while improving his defense (throwing out 36% of base-stealers; 4th-best in the league).^[1] He had a .631 slugging percentage in 369 at bats.^[1]

In Game 5 of the 2011 World Series, he hit a two-run double in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Rangers a 4-2 lead. The Rangers held on to win and take a 3-games-to-2 lead in the series, though they eventually lost the World Series Championship to the St. Louis Cardinals in 7 games.

2012[link]

On February 11, 2012, Napoli signed a one-year, $9.4 million deal to avoid arbitration with the Rangers. Napoli filed for $11.5 million, but the Rangers countered with $8.3 million. His deal is $.5 million short of the midpoint. He has received the second highest raise for anyone in their third or fourth time through the arbitration process, with Prince Fielder taking the top spot. He is slated to become a free agent after the season.^[6]

See also[link]

Baseball portal

• List of players with a home run in first major league at bat

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Mike Napoli

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

Matt Holliday
Holliday with the Cardinals.
St. Louis Cardinals – No. 7
Left fielder
Born: (1980-01-15) January 15, 1980 (age 32) Stillwater, Oklahoma
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
April 16, 2004 for the Colorado Rockies
Career statistics (through May 29, 2012)
Batting average	.313
Home runs	212
Runs batted in	802
Hits	1,402
SLG	.539
OPS+	136
Teams
Colorado Rockies (2004–2008) Oakland Athletics (2009) St. Louis Cardinals (2009–present)
Career highlights and awards
5× All-Star (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011) 4× Silver Slugger Award (2006, 2007, 2008, 2010) World Series champion (2011) NLCS MVP (2007) 5× NL Player of the Week NL Player of the Month (September 2007) NL Batting Champion (2007)

Matthew Thomas Holliday (born January 15, 1980), is an American Major League Baseball left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. Holliday was originally drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft.^[1]

Holliday is a five-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner. He was the runner-up in the National League MVP voting for the 2007 Major League Baseball season.^[2] He won the 2007 National League Championship Series MVP as he helped guide the Rockies to their first-ever National League pennant and World Series appearance.^[3]

Early career[link]

Holliday was recruited out of Stillwater High School, in Oklahoma to play quarterback at Oklahoma State, but he chose to sign with the Colorado Rockies and was signed by scout Pat Daugherty.^[4] As a senior, Holiday earned All-American honors in football and baseball and also earned his region's Gatorade Player of the Year award in both sports.^[4] He also competed for the 1997 USA Junior National Team.^[4]

On December 14, 2007, Holliday had his #24 high school jersey retired in a ceremony at Stillwater High School.^[5] Businesses in Stillwater were also asked to honor Holliday that day by posting a "Welcome Home Matt Holliday" message on a marquee or window.^[5]

Major league career[link]

Colorado Rockies[link]

2004[link]

Holliday was originally scheduled to spend much of 2004 with Colorado Rockies' Triple-A affiliate Colorado Springs Sky Sox.^[6] However, due to injuries to Rockies outfielders Preston Wilson and Larry Walker, he soon became a mainstay in the Rockies lineup.^[6] Holliday made his major league debut on April 16, 2004, in an away game against the St. Louis Cardinals. He had three at-bats, but did not record a hit.[9] Holliday played a total of 121 games during his rookie season and finished with a .290 batting average, 14 home runs, 31 doubles and 57 RBIs.^[6] He hit his first career home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 22, 2004.^[6]

Holliday was named to Baseball America's All-Rookie team and Topps All-Star Rookie team for the 2004 season. He finished fifth in the voting for the 2004 National League Rookie of the Year.^[6]

2005[link]

Holliday played in 125 games during the 2005 season and improved in nearly all of his offensive categories from the previous season. He hit .307 with 147 hits, 19 home runs, 87 RBIs, 68 runs, 14 stolen bases and 242 total bases.^[7] He also had a better slugging percentage (.505) and on base percentage (.361). After the All-Star break, Holliday hit 14 home runs, which were the most on the Colorado Rockies during the second half of the season. He also drove in 64 runs after the All-Star break, second in the National League to Chase Utley (65).

Holliday spent time on the disabled list from June 9 to July 18, due to a fractured right pinky finger.^[7] In September, Holliday hit a National League-high 32 RBI, which was also a Rockies record for the month of September.^[7] On September 20, he tied a Colorado Rockies record by hitting eight RBIs in one game.^[7] He also hit two home runs in that game, which turned out to be a 20–1 blowout against the San Diego Padres. Holliday's eight RBIs was the second-highest single-game total in the 2005 Major League Baseball season, second only to the 10 RBI by New York Yankees' third baseman Alex Rodriguez on April 26 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.^[7]

2006[link]

Holliday played in 155 games during the 2006 season. He hit .326 with 196 hits, 34 home runs, 114 RBIs, 119 runs, 10 stolen bases and 353 total bases.^[8] His slugging percentage was .586 while his on base percentage was .387. Holliday finished in the top five of the National League in batting average, hits, runs, extra base hits, total bases and slugging percentage.^[8] He finished first on the Colorado Rockies in home runs, extra base hits, runs, total bases and multi-hit games.^[8] Holliday also had the luxury of being only one of 11 MLB players during the 2006 season to steal home.^[8] He stole home as part of a double steal in an August 9, game against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Holliday was voted in by players and coaches as a reserve in the 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, which was his first career All-Star selection.^[8] Holliday also received his first Silver Slugger Award for his outstanding hitting during the 2006 season.^[8]

2007[link]

Holliday during his tenure with the Colorado Rockies in 2007.

Holliday's 2007 season was the best of his career, thus far. He played in 158 games and had career highs in batting average (.340; leading the NL), hits (216; leading the NL), runs (120; 3rd in the NL, behind Jimmy Rollins and Hanley Ramirez), doubles (50; leading the NL), home runs (36), RBIs (137; leading the NL), walks (63), slugging percentage (.607; 3rd in the NL, behind Ryan Braun and Prince Fielder), OPS (1.012; 3rd in the NL, behind Chipper Jones and Fielder), extra base hits (92; leading the NL) and total bases (386; leading the NL).^[9] Holliday finished in at least the top six of the National League in each of those categories except walks. He batted .376 with a .722 slugging percentage and 25 home runs at mile-high Coors Field, and hit .301 with a .485 slugging percentage and 11 home runs in away games. He became only the fifth National League player in the last 59 years to lead the NL in both batting average and RBIs.^[10] He also became only the 13th major league player in the last 45 years to finish a season with at least 200 hits and 50 doubles.^[11] Furthermore, there was a stretch during the season in which Holliday reached base safely in 36 consecutive games. That broke a Rockies record held by Todd Helton and Larry Walker, as each of them had a streak of 35 consecutive games.^[12] Along with his impressive offensive numbers, Holliday established himself as a legitimate defender, as he had the second highest fielding percentage out of all MLB left fielders (.990). He committed only three errors, on an MLB-high 306 total chances for left fielders.^[13]

Holliday's accomplishments during the season led to a second All-Star appearance, as he was once again voted in by players and coaches of the National League. He received the most votes (725) from them than any other player in MLB.^[14] Holliday also participated in the 2007 Home Run Derby, but did not win.^[14] He was named NL Player of the Month for September.^[14] His season garnered strong MVP talk, as he, Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins and Milwaukee Brewers first baseman Prince Fielder were considered the prime National League MVP candidates following the conclusion of the 2007 regular season. Holliday ended up coming in second in the vote, with 336 points, compared to 363 points for Rollins.^[2] It was the closest voting for NL MVP since Atlanta Braves third baseman Terry Pendleton beat out Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Barry Bonds by 15 points in 1991.^[15]

Holliday made the playoffs for the first time in his career during the 2007 season. The Rockies entered the playoffs as a wild card team. In the first game of the National League Division Series against the Phillies in Philadelphia, Holliday hit a solo homer to left-center in the eighth inning to give the Rockies a 4–2 lead, which proved to be the final score.^[16] In the second game of the series, Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki and Holliday hit back-to-back first-pitch homers in the first inning.^[17] Holliday also singled in Colorado second baseman Kazuo Matsui in the sixth inning to bring the score to 10–3, on the way to a 10–5 win. The Rockies won game three in Denver, 2–1, to complete a three-game sweep of the Phillies.^[18] Colorado then advanced to the National League Championship Series to face the Arizona Diamondbacks. Colorado swept Arizona in four games, and Holliday was named the 2007 National League Championship Series MVP, as he hit .333 with two home runs and four RBIs during the series.^[3] The NLCS sweep earned the Rockies their first-ever trip to the World Series.^[19]

Despite the struggles of the Colorado Rockies in the first two games of the 2007 World Series, Holliday remained strong offensively, collecting 4 hits in game two alone.^[20] However, he also committed a crucial blunder that was arguably the biggest play of that game. After his fourth hit, in the eighth inning off of Boston Red Sox closer Jonathan Papelbon, Holliday was immediately picked off first base by Papelbon for the third out, leaving Helton at the plate with Colorado trailing 2–1.^[20] The Red Sox were able to hold on by that same score for the victory. During game three, Holliday came through in the clutch in the bottom of the seventh inning with a three-run home run.^[21] Rather aptly, the home run came just as Fox Sports commentators Joe Buck and Tim McCarver were describing Holliday as a possible MVP candidate during the regular season.

2008[link]

On January 18, 2008, Holliday signed a three-year, $53 million contract with the Rockies, covering his final three years of arbitration.^[22]

On May 25, 2008, the Rockies placed Holliday on the 15-day disabled list, due to a strained left hamstring that he suffered in a 9–2 home loss against the New York Mets the previous day.^[23] Colorado activated him off the disabled list on June 10, 2008.^[24]

On July 6, 2008, Holliday was named an All-Star reserve for the third consecutive year.^[25][26] However, due to an injury to Chicago Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano, who was voted in by fans as a starter, Holliday replaced Soriano as one of the starters in the outfield.^[27] During the All-Star Game, he played in right field and hit a solo home run in the top of the fifth inning, which was the first run of the game.^[28]

Holliday played in fewer games (139) in 2008 than in his previous two seasons (partly due to spending time on the disabled list). Consequently, his numbers also dropped off, as he finished the season batting .321 with 173 hits, 25 home runs, 88 RBIs, 107 runs, and 290 total bases. He did, however, end up winning his third consecutive Silver Slugger Award^[29] and had career highs in stolen bases (28) and on-base percentage (.409). His 28 stolen bases were the third-most among all MLB left fielders.^[30] His .409 on-base percentage was the second-highest for MLB left fielders.^[31]

Defensively, Holliday was first in zone rating (.900), fourth in fielding percentage (.991), fifth in total chances (252) and fifth in putouts (240) among all MLB left fielders. His total chances and putouts came in about 100 fewer innings than those players ahead of him.^[32]

On November 12, 2008, Holliday was traded to the Oakland Athletics for pitchers Huston Street and Greg Smith, and outfielder Carlos González.^[33] He began working with Mark McGwire as his hitting coach during the 2008-2009 offseason.^[34]

Oakland Athletics[link]

2009[link]

After spending most of the off-season on the trading block with the Rockies, Holliday found himself back in the rumor mill during most of his Spring with the Athletics. After the Athletics failed to get off to a strong start, Holliday's name became the topic of trade rumors with several teams,^[35] as it was unlikely the Athletics would have been able to resign him as a free agent after the 2009 season.

Holliday played in 93 games for the Oakland Athletics, where he hit .286 with 11 HR and 54 RBI; although he hit .390, with a .422 On-base percentage, and a .756 slugging percentage during his final two weeks with the club.^[36][37]

St. Louis Cardinals[link]

2009 (cont.)[link]

On July 24, 2009, Holliday was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals for prospects Brett Wallace, Clayton Mortensen, and Shane Peterson.^[38]

Upon Holliday's arrival in St. Louis he was not granted his customary number 5 jersey due to it being worn by All-Star first baseman Albert Pujols. Instead, he was given the number 15 (last worn by Jim Edmonds) to wear with the Cardinals.^[39]

Holliday's debut with the Cardinals included a four-hit game with an RBI and a stolen base, despite having to borrow a glove, batting gloves, bats and shoes from teammates since his equipment had not yet arrived in St. Louis.^[40]

Holliday played in 63 games for St. Louis during 2009; hitting .313, with 14 HR and 109 RBI^[37] on a team that won the National League Central and made the playoffs for the first time in three years. After Holliday's arrival in late July, the Cardinals went on a torrid streak. They went 20-6 in August and stretched their National League Central Division lead from one-half game on August 1 to ten games on September 1.^[41]

Holliday and the Cardinals did not fare well in the 2009 postseason. He was 2 for 12 overall, and he dropped a fly-ball which would have tied the divisional playoff series 1-1. Instead, he and the Cardinals went on to be swept 0-3 by the Los Angeles Dodgers.^[41]

Holliday filed for free agency on November 5, 2009.^[42]

2010[link]

On January 7, the St. Louis Cardinals signed Holliday to a seven-year, $120 million deal. In honor of fellow Oklahoman, Mickey Mantle, he switched his number from 15 to 7. His contract, which runs through 2016 with an option for an eighth year (provided he places 10th or better in MVP balloting in 2016) features a full no-trade clause, A $1M buyout is given if the option for 2017 is not picked up.^[43][44] When he appeared 10 days later at the St. Louis Cardinals' annual Winter Warm Up, he was bestowed with a new nickname - "The Stillwater Stinger".^[45]

On July 4, Holliday was selected to the 2010 All-Star Game as a reserve player, his fourth All Star Game. Holliday participated in the 2010 Home Run Derby.^[46]

2011[link]

On April 1, after hitting a homerun the day before on Opening Day, Holliday had an emergency appendectomy.^[47] He was expected to miss 4–6 weeks, but returned only 9 days after the procedure was performed.^[48] In 2011, Holliday made his fifth appearance in the MLB All-Star Game and also participated in the Home Run Derby for the second straight season.^[49]

Personal[link]

Holliday and his wife, Leslee, have two sons, Jackson (born December 4, 2003) and Ethan (born February 23, 2007), and a daughter, Gracyn (born November 7, 2009).^[4] He is the son of former Oklahoma State University (and current North Carolina State associate head coach) Tom Holliday and the nephew of Rockies scout Dave Holliday. Holliday's brother, Josh, is currently an assistant coach for the Vanderbilt University Commodores baseball team, having previously been an assistant at Arizona State, Georgia Tech and North Carolina State.^[50] Holliday's brother also pitched to him during the 2007 Home Run Derby at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

Holliday currently lives in St. Louis, Missouri.^[51]

Achievements[link]

• 5-time All-Star (2006–2008, 2010, 2011)
• 4-time Silver Slugger (2006–2008, 2010)
• World Series Champion (2011)
• 2007 National League Championship Series MVP
• National League Player of the Month (September 2007)
• National League Batting Champion (2007)
• National League RBI leader (2007)
• National League Doubles leader (2007)
• National League Hits leader (2007)
• National League Total Bases leader (2007)
• National League Extra Base Hits leader (2007)
• The Sporting News All-Star team (2007)
• 5-time National League Player of the Week (July 25-21, 2005; September 18–24, 2006; July 23–29 & September 10–16, 2007; April 7–13, 2008)
• Baseball America All-Rookie team (2004)
• Topps All-Star Rookie team (2004)

See also[link]

	Biography portal
	Baseball portal

• List of Major League Baseball batting champions
• List of Major League Baseball RBI champions
• List of Major League Baseball doubles champions
• List of top 500 Major League Baseball home run hitters

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Matt Holliday

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
• ArmchairGM Profile Page
• Matt Holliday news
• [10]
• Holliday player profile page at Scout.com