Jayson Werth
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Philadelphia Phillies — No. 28 | |
| Right Fielder | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
|---|---|
| September 1, 2002 for the Toronto Blue Jays | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2006) |
|
| AVG | .245 |
| OBP | .333 |
| HR | 25 |
| Former teams | |
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Jayson Richard Gowan Werth (born May 20, 1979 in Springfield, Illinois) is a left fielder in Major League Baseball who is currently on the Philadelphia Phillies.
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[edit] Baseball career
Werth's baseball talents first gained attention while attending Glenwood High School in Chatham, Illinois, where he compiled a .652 batting average in his senior year with 15 home runs in 31 games. He initially planned on playing college ball at the University of Georgia, but abandoned that plan when he was drafted in the first round by Major League Baseball's Baltimore Orioles on June 13, 1997. Prior to making his Major League debut, the Orioles traded Werth to the Toronto Blue Jays for pitcher John Bale. Werth broke into the major leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2002. On March 29, 2004, Werth was then traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Jason Frasor after compiling two seasons in Toronto.
[edit] Family Trivia
- Son of Jeffrey J. Gowan - 2 sport standout in baseball and football at Illinois State University in 70's. Played OF in St. Louis Cardinals minor league Affiliate, Johnson City Cardinals in 1978. Led all Division I wide receivers in receptions, 1976. Held all ISU receiving records as football wide receiver 1976 - 1977.
- Is the grandson of Ducky Schofield, a Major League Baseball infielder for 19 years.
- His uncle, Dick Schofield, was also a Major League Baseball infielder, playing a total of 14 years, including 1995 with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Werth's stepfather, Dennis Werth, played in parts of four seasons with the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees from 1979-1982.
- Kim Schofield Werth, Jayson's mother, competed in the U.S. Olympic Trials in the long jump and 100 meters.
[edit] Injury Saga
Unfortunately for Werth, his career has met a severe obstacle. During Spring Training, on March 2, 2005, Werth was hit by a pitch from A.J. Burnett that broke his left wrist. Despite the injury, Werth was able to play in a career high 102 games in the 2005 season. However, it was evident that Werth was handicapped by the injury that would not heal. He compiled a meager .234 batting average with only 7 homeruns. The previous year, in fewer at-bats, Werth clouted 16 homeruns. Also, the mechanics of Werth's swing were awkward and poor. Eight months later, Werth underwent exploratory surgery which revealed two ligament tears that were repaired, but his discomfort never subsided. The mystery behind why the wrist was still impairing Werth was not solved even after Werth received numerous medical opinions. On May 21, 2006, Werth had cortisone injected into his wrist and the wrist placed in a cast for three to four weeks.
