| Bobby Crosby | |
|---|---|
| Free Agent – No. -- | |
| Infielder | |
| Born: Robert Edward Crosby January 12, 1980 Lakewood, California |
|
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 2, 2003 for the Oakland Athletics | |
| Career statistics (through August 18, 2010) |
|
| Batting average | .236 |
| Home runs | 62 |
| Runs batted in | 276 |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Robert Edward Crosby (born January 12, 1980, in Lakewood, California) is an infielder in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. The son of former major league infielder Ed Crosby, he bats and throws right-handed. He was Rookie of the Year in 2004.
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Crosby first attended Pacifica High School, and then later graduated from La Quinta High School in Westminster, California. In 1998, Bobby Crosby was selected by the Anaheim Angels in the thirty-fourth round of the Major League Baseball Draft. Crosby chose not to sign with the Angels, however, opting instead to play college baseball for California State University, Long Beach. In 2001, Crosby was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the first round (25th pick) of the Major League Baseball Draft.
In 2004, his first full season, he took over the Athletics' shortstop duties from 2002 American League Most Valuable Player Miguel Tejada, who signed with the Baltimore Orioles as a free agent. That year, Crosby hit .239 with 22 home runs and 64 RBIs. He also led American League rookies in hits (130), doubles (34) and walks (58).[1] These numbers earned Crosby Rookie of the Year honors, the sixth Athletics player to do so after Harry Byrd (1952), José Canseco (1986), Mark McGwire (1987), Walt Weiss (1988), and Ben Grieve (1998).[1]
In addition to becoming the sixth Athletics player to be named Rookie of the Year, he was the second shortstop in a row to win the award (after Angel Berroa of the Kansas City Royals). He was also the eighth shortstop in 22 seasons to earn top rookie honors, the others being Cal Ripken, Jr. (1982), Ozzie Guillén (1985), Walt Weiss (1988), Pat Listach (1992), Derek Jeter (1996), Nomar Garciaparra (1997), and Berroa (2003).
Crosby was just a vote shy of being a unanimous pick, despite his batting average being the lowest ever for a Rookie of the Year. He also struck out 141 times, fourth-most in the AL, and the team's most since Canseco had 152 in 1991.
Crosby and the Oakland Athletics agreed to a five year, $12.75 million contract on April 22, 2005.[2]
Due to the signing of free agent shortstop Orlando Cabrera prior to the 2009 season, Crosby was moved into a utility infielder role. However, with injuries to everyday second baseman Mark Ellis, third baseman Eric Chavez and infielder Nomar Garciaparra (another free agent signing), Crosby was expected to see significant starting roles at third base, as well as at second base.
Mark McGwire has served as his hitting coach since the 2009 offseason.[3]
The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Crosby as a free agent on December 9, 2009. He appeared in 61 games, with a batting average of .224. The Pirates traded Crosby, D. J. Carrasco and Ryan Church to the Arizona Diamondbacks for Chris Snyder and Pedro Ciriaco on July 31, 2010.[4][5]
Crosby appeared in just nine games for the Diamondbacks and was released on August 24, 2010.[6]
His younger brother, Blake Crosby, played college baseball at Brigham Young University and Sacramento State. He was drafted by the Athletics in the 42nd round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft.[7] He is currently serving as an Area Scout for the Toronto Blue Jays in Gilbert, Arizona.[8] Their older brother, Brian Crosby, is an artist for Walt Disney Imagineering.
| Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Kevin Youkilis |
AL Rookie of the Month June 2004 |
Succeeded by Robb Quinlan |
| Preceded by Angel Berroa |
American League Rookie of the Year 2004 |
Succeeded by Huston Street |
| Preceded by Angel Berroa |
Players Choice AL Most Outstanding Rookie 2004 |
Succeeded by Huston Street |
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