Chone Figgins

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

**Chone Figgins**
Image:Chonefiggins.jpg
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — No. 9
Utility player
Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
August 25, 2002 for the Anaheim Angels
Selected MLB statistics (through October 1, 2006)
AVG	.285
HR	22
RBI's	207
SB	163
OPS	.738

Desmond DeChone ("Chone") Figgins (born January 22, 1978 in Leary, Georgia) is a Major League Baseball utility player for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim ("Chone" is pronounced similarly to "Shawn").

Figgins is well-renowned as one of the top utility players in the major leagues, possessing the ability to play all positions except first base, catcher and pitcher.

1 Biography
2 Current Contract
3 Highlights
4 External links

[edit] Biography

A fourth-round draft pick by the Colorado Rockies in the 1997 amateur draft, Figgins attended Brandon High School in Florida where he was third-team High School All-American as a senior. He was acquired by the Angels in a trade in 2001 for Kimera Bartee.

Figgins made his major-league debut in 2002 for the World Series-winning Angels, used mostly- and effectively- as a pinch runner. His first full season in the majors was 2004. His breakout year came in 2005, when he was moved from nearly the bottom of the batting order to leadoff hitter, after original leadoff hitter David Eckstein signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, and used his speed to steal a major-league high 62 bases, which also set a new Angels team record.

Prior to the 2006 season, the Angels signed Figgins to a 3-year, $10.5-million deal. He had been eligible for salary arbitration, which could have been substantial considering his accomplishments the year before. [1]

Along with third base, Figgins can also play shortstop, second base, and all three outfield positions. He is known as being one of the top utility players in the game of baseball. Although he was initially considered the most likely starter for center field in 2006, when the Angels decided to move Darin Erstad back to that position it opened up Figgins to be the starter at third base. [2] With Erstad on the disabled list for much of the season, however, Figgins is seeing more time in center field.

As of September 15, 2006, Figgins is second in the American League in stolen bases with 48.

On March 21, 2007, in a spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Figgins suffered two broken fingers on his throwing hand while attempting to field a ground ball hit by Conor Jackson. He began the season on the disabled list and was expected to be out for at least five to six weeks.[3]

Listed generously at 5'7" or 5'8", Figgins is one of the shortest players in Major League Baseball.

[edit] Current Contract

3 years, $10.5 million (2006-2008)

2006: $2.25 million
2007: $3.5 million
2008: $4.75 million
Eligible for free agency following 2009 season

[edit] Highlights

In 2005, led Major League Baseball with 62 stolen bases.
Was named team co-MVP of the 2005 season for the Angels, with Bartolo Colon.
Became the sixth Angel to hit for the cycle on September 16, 2006 in Arlington, Texas.
Against the Oakland Athletics on September 30, 2006, Figgins hit his first career inside-the-park home run at Angel Stadium.

The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
Coaching Staff	Manager: Mike Scioscia • Bench: Ron Roenicke • Pitching: Mike Butcher • Hitting: Mickey Hatcher • Bullpen: Orlando Mercado • First Base: Alfredo Griffin • Third Base: Dino Ebel
Rotation	John Lackey • Ervin Santana • Joe Saunders • Kelvim Escobar • Jered Weaver
Bullpen	Héctor Carrasco • Greg Jones • Darren Oliver • Francisco Rodríguez • Scot Shields • Justin Speier
Catchers	Jeff Mathis • José Molina • Mike Napoli
Infielders	Orlando Cabrera • Chone Figgins • Shea Hillenbrand • Maicer Izturis • Howie Kendrick • Casey Kotchman
Outfielders	Robb Quinlan • Garret Anderson • Tommy Murphy • Vladimir Guerrero • Gary Matthews, Jr. • Reggie Willits
Disabled List:	Bartolo Colón • Juan Rivera