Michael Barrett
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Chicago Cubs — No. 8 | |
| Catcher | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
|---|---|
| September 19, 1998 for the Montreal Expos | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through June 18, 2006) |
|
| Avg | .266 |
| HR | 78 |
| RBI | 349 |
| Former teams | |
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Michael Patrick Barrett (born October 22, 1976 in Atlanta, Georgia) is a catcher for the Chicago Cubs in Major League Baseball.
Barrett was a first-round pick in 1995 by the Montreal Expos out of Pace Academy in Atlanta, Georgia. Drafted as a shortstop, Barrett played both third base and catcher in the minors. Barrett started his career with the Montreal Expos, and was first called up to the big leagues in September 1998. In his first full season in the major leagues, he batted .293 with 8 home runs and 52 RBI. He split his time between third base and behind the plate. In 2000, he struggled at the plate, and spent much of the season in the minor leagues. The following year, Barrett became the Expos every day catcher, and played in 132 games.
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[edit] Traded to the Cubs
After the 2003 season, Barrett was traded to the Oakland Athletics; just a few days later, Barrett switched teams again. This time he was traded to the Cubs for veteran catcher Damian Miller. In 2004, Barrett surprised many with a very solid year. Barrett was one of the better hitting backstops in the National League, while his defense was average. In 2004, Barrett hit .287, with 16 home runs, and 65 RBI. Barrett also slugged .489; 80 points above his career average.
Barrett faced a little controversy late in the 2004 season, after a confrontation with Houston pitcher Roy Oswalt. After giving up a three run homer to Aramis Ramirez, Oswalt hit Michael Barrett in the back with the next pitch; many people, including Barrett, considered the pitch to be an intentional bean ball. Five days later, when the Astros traveled to Chicago, Barrett began arguing with Oswalt, while Oswalt was at bat. Both teams' benches cleared, but no punches were thrown.
Barrett has had another solid season in 2005 (winning a Silver Slugger award), and some think he may develop into one of the best catchers in the circuit. In 2006, Barrett played in the World Baseball Classic for team USA. While playing, he wrote several columns about his experiences with the team. Barrett did not make the 2006 All Star team, which some considered a snub. Going into the all star break, Barrett was second in the NL among catchers in OPS (on-base percentage plus slugging percentage).
[edit] Barrett and the Chicago White Sox
On May 20, 2006 Michael Barrett was in an altercation with White Sox catcher A. J. Pierzynski after a collision at home plate. Pierzynski was the runner on third base when Brian Anderson hit a fly ball to left field. Pierzynski tagged from third in an attempt to score. Barrett was set up at home plate to receive left fielder Matt Murton's throw. As Pierzynski reached home plate, he collided with Barrett. The collision knocked Barrett, who had not yet received Murton's throw, back several feet behind home plate. After the collision, Pierzynski enthusiastically slapped home plate. As Barrett got to his feet, the two came together again. Barrett grabbed Pierzynski with both arms and struck Pierzynski just below the left jaw with his right fist. Both benches cleared. Seconds later, Brian Anderson and Cubs first baseman John Mabry were involved in another confrontation. The four were ejected.
Following the game at a press conference, Barrett, Pierzynski, and Cubs Manager Dusty Baker all commented on the play. There was some disagreement about why Barrett struck Pierzynski. Barrett indicated that Pierzynski stepped toward him at the end of play, and he just reacted badly. Pierzynski indicated that Barrett may have struck him because Barrett did not have the ball yet when the collision occurred. In baseball it is a legal play for a runner to collide with the catcher at home plate when the catcher is attempting to block home plate in order to put a tag on the runner.
On Friday, May 26, 2006, Barrett was suspended for ten games and fined an undisclosed amount for striking Pierzynski and inciting the bench-clearing incident. The Cubs catcher appealed the suspension and continued to play, but the appeal was denied on June 19, 2006 and the suspension was upheld.
On June 30, 2006, the day of the next meeting between the Cubs and White Sox at Wrigley Field, Barrett and Pierzynski came to terms during practice.
[edit] Post Brawl
Michael finished the 2006 season batting above .300 for the first time in his career. He did not win the Silver Slugger award due to a lack of at-bats. Not only did Barrett miss 10 days due to suspension, he also missed most of the last month of the season due to intrascrotal hematoma
[edit] External links
- Baseball-Reference.com - career statistics and analysis
- MLB.com: Michael Barrett
- http://www.barrettbaseball.com
