| Damian Jackson | |
|---|---|
| Second Baseman / Shortstop / Outfielder | |
| Born: August 16, 1973 Los Angeles, California |
|
| Batted: Right | Threw: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| September 12, 1996 for the Cleveland Indians | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| August 23, 2006 for the Washington Nationals | |
| Career statistics | |
| Batting average | .243 |
| Home runs | 32 |
| Runs batted in | 198 |
| Former teams | |
Damian Jacques Jackson (born August 16, 1973 in Los Angeles, California) is a major league second baseman who currently plays for the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League.[1] He bats and throws right-handed.
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Jackson grew up in Los Angeles, but moved to Northern California when he was in high school. Jackson transferred to Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, California, when he was a junior. Jackson only played one year of high school baseball, his senior year. He decided to try out for baseball on a whim the first day of baseball, when he saw a friend walking to practice. That season, Jackson caught the eye of pro scouts because of his blazing speed and potent bat.
Jackson was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 44th round of the 1991 draft. He did not play a full season until he joined the San Diego Padres in 1999 when he led all rookies in stolen bases. He sustained an injury in 2001, when he was hit by A.J. Burnett during Burnett's no-hit game.
On July 14, 2001, Jackson hit a Broken-bat grand slam against Wade Miller that helped the Padres beat the Houston Astros. The Homerun barely cleared the fence down the left-field line, near the 315-foot sign in the hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park, then named "Enron Field".
During the 2003 American League Division Series, Jackson collided with his Red Sox teammate, center fielder Johnny Damon, knocking Damon unconscious.
He was released by the Washington Nationals on August 25, 2006, and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers, but was released from them on March 11, 2007.
On March 11, 2007, the Dodgers released Jackson. Jackson, having signed as a free agent in December, was entering his 17th season in professional baseball—his 11th in the majors after spending time with eight teams. "I no longer have anything to do with baseball," an angry Jackson said before clearing out his locker, furiously shoving equipment and clothes into his duffel bag and knocking down two chairs on his way out. "He respects our decision, and that's it," manager Grady Little said.
On April 14, 2008, Jackson signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the independent Atlantic League. He was released on July 22 and was immediately signed by the Long Island Ducks, but was traded on August 2 to the Camden Riversharks.