Craig Monroe

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**Craig Monroe**
Major League Baseball debut
Detroit Tigers — No. 27
Left fielder
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
July 21, 2001 for the Texas Rangers
Selected MLB statistics (through April 7, 2007)
Batting Average	.263
Home Runs	92
RBI	332
Former teams
Texas Rangers (2001)

Craig Keystone Monroe (born February 27, 1977, in Texarkana, Texas) is a left fielder in Major League Baseball who currently plays with the Detroit Tigers. 2006 Tigers play-by-play commentators Rod Allen and Mario Impemba often refer to him by the nickname "C-Mo."

Monroe joined the Tigers organization on February 1, 2002, when he was selected off waivers from the Texas Rangers. He played his first full season in 2003, recording 23 home runs.

In December 2004, he was arrested for trying to steal a belt from a department store in Florida. Police arrested Monroe on Dec. 3rd after they say he wrapped a $29.99 belt around his waist and tried to leave without paying for it. He was released on bond the same day. Monroe agreed to enter a diversion program in order to have the petty theft charge against him dropped.

Monroe has been known to be extremely helpful in clutch situations. For example, on August 30th, 2006, during a day-night doubleheader against the New York Yankees, he hit a three-run homer one out away from losing that gave the Tigers a 5-3 lead they never surrendered and it led to a 5-3 victory.

On July 19th, 2006, Monroe hit a grand slam home run off Javier Vazquez of the Chicago White Sox that was decisive in the Tigers' 5-2 win. At the time, both teams were locked in a tense struggle for the lead of the American League Central division. Monroe called it "by far the biggest home run I've ever hit."

Monroe played his first major league game in Texas on July 28, 2001. He only played 27 games that year. Ever since he signed with the Tigers, he has been a regular in the lineup.

2006 was probably his break-out season. He has hit 27 home runs, 89 RBI, and an average of .260, and contributed to the Tigers' postseason run.

Monroe is the cousin of Chicago Bears cornerback Nathan Vasher.

His nickname is "The Truth"