Todd Zeile

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Todd Edward Zeile (born September 9, 1965 in Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California) is a former third baseman and first baseman in Major League Baseball who played from 1989 to 2004. After graduating from UCLA, where he played as a catcher, Zeile played for 11 major league teams during his career – the St. Louis Cardinals (1989-1995), Chicago Cubs (1995), Philadelphia Phillies (1996), Baltimore Orioles (1996), Los Angeles Dodgers (1997-1998), Florida Marlins (1998), Texas Rangers (1998-1999), New York Mets (2000-2001, 2004), Colorado Rockies (2002), New York Yankees (2003) and Montreal Expos (2003).

Contents

[edit] Early career

Zeile broke into the majors in 1989 as a catcher and the Cardinals' most anticipated prospect of the year. Cardinals manager Joe Torre wanted to make room for catcher Tom Pagnozzi and believed Zeile would be a more productive hitter and would have a longer career if he moved from behind the plate, so Zeile moved, with some reluctance, initially to first base and then to third base in 1990.

[edit] Middle career

Zeile spent most of the 1990s as a third baseman, moving to first base for the Mets in 2000, who wanted him to replace John Olerud. In 1999, Zeile was part of a historic Rangers team. Along with Gregg Zaun and Jeff Zimmerman, he was one of three players on the team whose last names began with "Z". Not since the 1916 Chicago Cubs had this occurred (Heinie Zimmerman, Dutch Zwilling, and Rollie Zeider).

[edit] End of a career

Zeile retired following the 2004 season. Having planned his retirement in advance, Mets manager Art Howe let Zeile once again start as a catcher, his original position, on September 18, 2004. It was Zeile's first appearance there in 14 years. It was the second-longest span ever between appearances at the position. Gabby Street caught a game in 1931 after last having caught in 1912.

Zeile got one final start as a catcher two weeks later on October 3, 2004 in the season's final game. In the 6th inning, in his final at-bat as a major leaguer, Zeile hit a 3-run home run into left field off Montreal Expos pitcher Claudio Vargas. In his final play as a major leaguer, Ryan Church popped up to him, as a catcher, in foul territory.

Both games Zeile caught in his final season were started by Tom Glavine.

[edit] Facts

Zeile hit at least one home run for each of the 11 teams he played for over the course of his career, distinguishing him as the one player in Major League history to have hit a home run for 10 or more teams. He is also one of 41 players ever to hit a home run in his final at-bat, which he did on October 3, 2004 as a New York Met.

Zeile's final home run also made him the last person ever to hit a home run off a Montreal Expos pitcher. Following that game, which was the last of the season, the Expos moved to Washington D.C. and became the Washington Nationals.

Zeile is married to Olympic champion, Julianne McNamara, the first American gymnast to earn a perfect 10.0 at the Olympics. They have four children. He attended William S. Hart High School in Newhall, California, where he was an outstanding student and athlete. Todd is a descendant of John Adams, the second President of the United States. Since retiring from Major League Baseball, Zeile has pursued another passion, starting Green Diamond Entertainment - a film production company in California.

[edit] See also

[edit] External link

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