| Colin Curtis | |
|---|---|
| New York Yankees – No. 61 | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: February 1, 1985 Issaquah, Washington |
|
| Bats: Left | Throws: Left |
| MLB debut | |
| June 21, 2010 for the New York Yankees | |
| Career statistics (through 2011 season) |
|
| Batting average | .186 |
| Home runs | 1 |
| Runs Batted In | 8 |
| Teams | |
Colin Benedict Curtis (born February 1, 1985 in Issaquah, Washington) is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees.
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Curtis was chosen in the 50th round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft by the Cincinnati Reds out of Issaquah High School, but he did not sign. After attending Arizona State University and playing for the Arizona State Sun Devils baseball team, he was a fourth round pick for the Yankees in the 2006 Major League Baseball Draft. He was a 2010 spring training non-roster invitee for the Yankees.
Curtis was called up for the first time on June 21, 2010. That night he pinch hit for A. J. Burnett in the 5th inning, and flied out to center field on a 1-2 pitch, for the second out of the inning.[1] On June 22, 2010, Curtis recorded his first major league hit, a double off of Chad Qualls of the Arizona Diamondbacks.[2]
On July 21, 2010, he hit his first career home run against Scot Shields of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim when he was called upon to pinch hit when Brett Gardner was ejected from a game while batting with an 0-2 count in the bottom of the seventh inning.[3]
On July 31, 2010 Curtis was optioned back to the Yankees AAA affiliate the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees following the acquisition of outfielder Austin Kearns by the Yankees.[4] He was promoted again on September 6.[5]
Curtis was diagnosed with testicular cancer at the age of 15. It spread to the veins in his stomach and around his lymph nodes. The treatment involved surgery to remove the tumor and parts of the affected veins and regular blood tests. While battling the disease, fellow testicular cancer cancer survivor Lance Armstrong gave him an autographed book. Curtis has been cancer-free for approximately 10 years. And he's playing for Aguilas Del Zulia, this season.[6]