Jason Michaels

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Jason Michaels

Cleveland Indians — No. 8
Left Fielder
Bats: Right Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
April 6, 2001 for the Philadelphia Phillies
Selected MLB statistics
(through 2006)
AVG     .282
RBI     155
HR     30
Former teams

    Jason Drew Michaels is a Major League Baseball player who currently plays outfield for the Cleveland Indians of the American League Central division.

    Michaels born on May 4, 1976 in Montgomery, West Virginia and grew up in Tampa, Florida.

    Contents

    [edit] University of Miami and Minor League career

    Michaels was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1998 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Miami.

    He played with the Batavia Muckdogs in 1998 (A-short season), Clearwater Phillies in 1999 (A, now Clearwater Threshers), the Reading Phillies in 2000 (AA), and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons in 2001 (AAA), all in the Phillies minor league farm system.

    [edit] Philadelphia Phillies

    Michaels made his Major League debut with the Phillies on April 6, 2001, though he spent much of the season with the Phillies' AAA affiliate in Scranton. He accumulated a batting average of .291 with 235 hits, including 21 home runs through the end of the 2005 season. In the outfield, Michaels became the go-to backup outfielder for the Phillies. With the Phillies, Michaels played briefly with fellow University of Miami alumni Pat Burrell, the Phillies starting left fielder, with both of them starting in the Phillies' outfield at times.

    However, Michaels' shot at a starting position with Phillies in the 2005 season was damaged when the Phillies acquired outfielder Kenny Lofton from the New York Yankees in the off-season. During the 2005 season, Michaels and Lofton received comparable playing time in center field. Michaels started for the Phillies during Lofton's 2005 injury and primarily against left-handed pitching. Michaels and Lofton were formidable opponents in the number two slot in the Phillies batting lineup. Jason would also, on occasion, spell Phillies RF Bobby Abreu and Phillies LF Pat Burrell. When center fielder Aaron Rowand was acquired through the trade of Jim Thome to the Chicago White Sox in the 2004/2005 offseason, however, Michaels' place on the team was called into question.

    [edit] 2005 arrest in Philadelphia

    Michaels was arrested around 3am on July 3, 2005, after allegedly punching Philadelphia police officer Timothy Taylor as he left the "32 Degrees" nightclub in the Olde City section of Philadelphia. "He punched a Philadelphia police officer and wrestled him to the ground, in the process ripping the police officer's shirt," Philadelphia police spokesperson Jim Pauley said.

    It reportedly took four Philadelphia police officers to subdue Michaels, who spent nine hours in detention, and then, upon his release, promptly reported on time for a July 3 Phillies game against the Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park, broadcast nationally on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.

    [edit] Assault charges

    Michaels faced charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, simple assault and reckless endangerment. On December 15, 2005, Michaels was placed into Philadelphia's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program for first-time offenders of non-violent crimes.

    On January 20, 2006, Michaels was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service with the Police Athletic League (PAL) and serve six months probation. Provided these conditions are met, his conviction record is to be expunged.

    In addition to the criminal charges, the assaulted officer brought a civil suit against Michaels.

    [edit] Civil lawsuit

    On April 23, 2006 it was reported in a Canton Rep article that Philadelphia Police Officer Timothy Taylor's civil suit again Michaels would soon be settled. Terms of the settlement have not been released[1].

    [edit] Traded to Cleveland Indians

    On January 27, 2006, the Phillies traded Michaels to the Cleveland Indians for left-handed relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes. This prompted a larger deal for the Indians, who then traded outfielder Coco Crisp to the Boston Red Sox as part of a multi-player deal. Michaels replaced Crisp as the starting left fielder for the Indians.

    [edit] Roberto Clemente Award Nominee

    On September 6, 2006 it was announced that Michaels was the Indians' nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which is awarded to the one Major League player who had the most impact through community service.

    Michaels was awarded $2,500 for winning the Indians' award and intends to donate the money to the Cleveland chapter of Gang Resistance Education and Training.

    [edit] External links

    Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org../../../j/a/s/Jason_Michaels_4dd2.html"