Michael Cuddyer

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**Michael Cuddyer**

Minnesota Twins — No. 5
Outfield
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
September 18, 2001 for the Minnesota Twins
Selected MLB statistics (through 2006)
Batting Average	.268
Runs Batted In	218
Home Runs	56

Michael Brent Cuddyer (pronounced /kud-die-er/; born on March 27, 1979 in Norfolk, Virginia) is a Major League Baseball player. He is currently the starting right fielder for the Minnesota Twins. He bats and throws right-handed and wears number 5.

Cuddyer is a 1997 graduate of Great Bridge High School in Chesapeake, Virginia, where he was a standout athlete in baseball, basketball, and football. Cuddyer was named Virginia's Player of the Year and Gatorade National baseball Player of the Year in 1997. He was also a member of USA Today's All-Star and the USA Junior National teams in 1997. He did not attend college.

Cuddyer made his Major League Baseball debut on September 18, 2001 for the Twins. Prior to 2004, Cuddyer saw little playing time except as an occasional fill-in in the outfield. During 2004, Cuddyer made the transition to the infield, playing second and third bases. After the departure of veteran Twins third baseman Corey Koskie to the Toronto Blue Jays by way of free agency in 2005, Cuddyer become the Twins' starting third baseman. He struggled at third base and was relegated to a reserve role for much of 2005.

Cuddyer underwent surgery to repair a tear in his right lateral meniscus in October 2005. The Twins then extended his contract on January 21, 2006, giving him a one-year deal worth $1.3 million. After beginning the 2006 season on the bench, Cuddyer emerged as a regular in right field. Cuddyer hit two grand slams during the week of June 4, 2006. He is known for his home run power, and only Justin Morneau had more RBI for the Twins in 2006.

Cuddyer is well-known as a magician in the clubhouse, often pulling out cards or stabbing himself in the foot to get a few laughs out of his teammates. He married Claudia Rente, a Portuguese-American English teacher from Chesapeake, on November 11, 2006. Cuddyer is a member of the Twins Community Fund Board of Directors.

[edit] Statistics

Season	Team	G	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	BB	SO	SB	CS	AVG	OBP	SLG
2001	MIN	8	18	1	4	2	0	0	1	1	0	2	6	.222	.300	.333
2002	MIN	41	112	12	29	7	0	4	13	2	0	8	30	.259	.311	.429
2003	MIN	35	102	14	25	1	3	4	8	1	1	12	19	.245	.325	.431
2004	MIN	115	339	49	89	22	1	12	45	5	5	37	74	.263	.339	.440
2005	MIN	126	422	55	111	25	3	12	42	3	4	41	93	.263	.330	.422
2006	MIN	150	557	102	158	41	5	24	109	6	0	62	130	.284	.362	.504
Totals*		475	1550	233	416	98	12	56	218	18	10	162	352	.268	.342	.455