Craig Monroe
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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|---|---|
| Minnesota Twins — No. 27 | |
| Left fielder | |
| Born: February 27, 1977 | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
| July 28, 2001 for the Texas Rangers | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through June 5, 2008) |
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| Batting Average | .255 |
| Home Runs | 109 |
| RBI | 407 |
| Hits | 652 |
| Teams | |
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Craig Keystone Monroe (born February 27, 1977 in Texarkana, Texas), nicknamed "C-Mo," is an outfielder in Major League Baseball, who currently plays for the Minnesota Twins.
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[edit] Professional career
Monroe joined the Tigers organization on February 1, 2002, when he was selected off waivers from the Texas Rangers. He played his first full season in 2003, recording 23 home runs.
Monroe has been known to be typically helpful in clutch situations despite evidence to the contrary - he is a lifetime .220 hitter in late and close situations (when the game is tied, his team ahead by one, or the tying run at least on deck in the 7th inning or later) and .253 with two outs and runners in scoring position.[1]. Both of those numbers are lower than his career batting average in all situations which currently stands at .256.
On July 19, 2006, Monroe hit a grand slam home run off Javier Vázquez of the Chicago White Sox that was decisive in the Tigers' 5-2 win. At the time, both teams were locked in a tense struggle for the lead of the American League Central division. Monroe called it "by far the biggest home run I've ever hit."
On June 14, 2007, Monroe achieved the un-coveted platinum sombrero (5 Strikeouts in a game) in only 9 innings of play against the Milwaukee Brewers at home Comerica Park. This feat has been done just two other times in Detroit Tigers history–Chet Laabs in 1938 and Danny Bautista in 1995.[2]
On August 17, 2007 the Tigers designated Monroe for assignment, giving them 10 days to trade him or release him. On August 23 he was traded to the Cubs for a player to be named later.[3] Monroe played with the Cubs for the balance of the 2007 season; the Tigers received Clay Rapada to complete the trade. On November 13, he was traded to the Minnesota Twins for a player to be named later.[1]
[edit] Personal
Monroe's mother's name is Marilyn Monroe (the same as that of the late actress). She was on hand to watch her son hit a home run against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on August 30, 2006. After the game, he told the media, "Marilyn Monroe is here in New York, and I'm thrilled."[4]
In December 2004, he was arrested for trying to steal a belt from a department store in Florida. Police arrested Monroe on Dec. 3rd after they say he wrapped a $29.99 belt around his waist and tried to leave without paying for it.[5] He was released on bond the same day. Monroe agreed to enter a diversion program in order to have the petty theft charge against him dropped. It is worth noting that Monroe's reported salary in 2004 was $335,000. [6]
Craig is a cousin of defensive back Nathan Vasher of the Chicago Bears.[7] Both attended Texas High School in Texarkana, Texas.
[edit] Notes
- ^ Craig Monroe Career Batting Splits. Retrieved on 2008-05-2.
- ^ "Tigers swing and miss; Monroe strikes out five times, leaving runners on base in late innings", Grand Rapids Press, June 15, 2007, p. D5.
- ^ Monroe traded to Cubs to join Trammell; Tigers might get left-hander back. Retrieved on 2007-08-23.
- ^ Monroe's clutch homer is for Mom. Retrieved on 2007-09-09.
- ^ USATODAY.com - Tigers' Monroe facing theft charge in Florida
- ^ Craig Monroe Statistics - Baseball-Reference.com
- ^ Harris has Rivers in his sights. Retrieved on 2007-09-09.
[edit] External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube
