Chone Figgins

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**Chone Figgins**

Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim — No. 9
Utility player
Born: January 22, 1978 (1978-01-22) (age 30) Leary, Georgia
Bats: Switch	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
August 25, 2002 for the Anaheim Angels
Selected MLB statistics (through October 5, 2007)
Batting average	.295
OPS	.757
Home runs	25
RBIs	269
SBs	211
Teams
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim (2002-present)* *Anaheim Angels (2002-2004)

Desmond DeChone "Chone" Figgins (pronounced /ʃɑːn/; born January 22, 1978 in Leary, Georgia) is a Major League Baseball utility player for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

Figgins is well-renowned as one of the fastest and top utility players in the major leagues, possessing the ability to play all positions except catcher and pitcher, and has yet to play first base.

1 Biography
2 Current Contract
3 Highlights
4 References
5 See also
6 External links

[edit] Biography

A fourth-round draft pick by the Colorado Rockies in the 1997 amateur draft, Figgins attended Brandon High School in Florida where he was third-team High School All-American as a senior. He was acquired by the Angels in a trade in 2001 for Kimera Bartee.

Figgins made his major-league debut in 2002 for the World Series-winning Angels, used mostly, and effectively, as a pinch runner. His first full season in the majors was 2004. His breakout year came in 2005, when he was moved from nearly the bottom of the batting order to leadoff hitter, after original leadoff hitter David Eckstein signed with the St. Louis Cardinals, and used his speed to steal a major-league high 62 bases, which also set a new Angels team record.

Prior to the 2006 season, the Angels signed Figgins to a 3-year, $10.5-million deal. He had been eligible for salary arbitration, which could have been substantial considering his accomplishments the year before. ^[1]

Along with third base, Figgins can also play shortstop, second base, and all three outfield positions. He is known as being one of the top utility players in the game of baseball. Although he was initially considered the most likely starter for center field in 2006, when the Angels decided to move Darin Erstad back to that position it opened up Figgins to be the starter at third base. ^[2] With Erstad on the disabled list for much of the season, however, Figgins saw more time in center field.

On March 21, 2007, in a spring training game against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Figgins suffered two broken fingers on his throwing hand while attempting to field a ground ball hit by Conor Jackson. He began the season on the disabled list and was expected to be out for at least five to six weeks.^[3]

In June of 2007, Figgins broke the Angels team record for hits in a month with 53, which breaks the record set by Darin Erstad in April of 2000. On July 15, 2007, Figgins stole his 187th base as an Angel, breaking the 20-year-old club record previously held by Gary Pettis, in attendance that day as a coach for the visiting Texas Rangers.

Listed generously at 5'7" or 5'8", Figgins is one of the shortest players in Major League Baseball, though he is powerfully built and possesses gap power along with his excellent speed. Defensively Figgins, a natural shortstop, has played above average defense at every position he has been assigned to, utilizing both quickness and a powerful arm. He is commonly called "Figgy" by fans and announcers alike.

[edit] Current Contract

3 years, $10.5 million (2006-2008)

2006: $2.25 million
2007: $3.5 million
2008: $4.75 million
Eligible for free agency following 2009 season

[edit] Highlights

In 2005, led Major League Baseball with 62 stolen bases.
Was named team co-MVP of the 2005 season for the Angels, with Bartolo Colón.
Became the sixth Angel to hit for the cycle on September 16, 2006 in Arlington, Texas.
Against the Oakland Athletics on September 29, 2006, Figgins hit his first career inside-the-park home run at Angel Stadium.
With six hits on June 18, 2007 against the Houston Astros, including a walk-off triple, Figgins matched the American League record for number of hits in a 9-inning game.
In the month of June 2007 Chone had a career high 53 hits, while batting .461.