| John Buck | |
|---|---|
| Miami Marlins – No. 14 | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: July 7, 1980 Kemmerer, Wyoming |
|
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| MLB debut | |
| June 25, 2004 for the Kansas City Royals | |
| Career statistics (through 2011) |
|
| Batting average | .241 |
| Home runs | 106 |
| Runs batted in | 382 |
| Hits | 671 |
| Runs | 312 |
| Teams | |
|
|
| Career highlights and awards | |
Johnathan Richard Buck (born July 7, 1980 in Kemmerer, Wyoming) is an American Major League Baseball catcher who plays for the Miami Marlins.[1][2] He went to high school in Taylorsville, Utah. He is the only active MLB player to have been born in Wyoming.[3]
A catcher, Buck was initially drafted by the Houston Astros in the 7th round of the 1998 Amateur Draft. He was signed to a minor league contract on June 11, 1998.
By 2002, Buck was highly regarded for his defensive ability, becoming one of the game's top minor league catchers and 68th top prospect in all of baseball.[4][5] In 2003, Buck moved farther up prospect lists. He was listed as the 21st best prospect in baseball by John Sickels.[6]
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On June 24, 2004, the Astros traded him as part of a three-way deal to acquire Carlos Beltrán, sending Buck to Kansas City. The Royals immediately put Buck in their starting lineup, replacing injured veteran Benito Santiago. Buck made his major league debut on June 25. Although he initially appeared overmatched by major-league pitching—his batting average reached a low of .138 on July 7—he impressed the team with his defensive ability and his handling of pitchers. His hitting improved with time, and by September 25 he had raised his average to .243 with 12 home runs, and 30 RBIs.
In 2006, Buck fought with teammate Runelvys Hernández in the Royals dugout during a game against the Indians.[7]
On December 16, 2009, Buck signed a one year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[8] On April 29, 2010. Buck hit 3 home-runs in a single game against the Oakland Athletics. Buck's performance in this game made him a fan favorite. On July 4, 2010, Buck was elected to the 2010 American League All-Star team along with fellow Blue Jays Vernon Wells and Jose Bautista. In his first All-Star Game he went 1–2 with a Double.
Buck agreed to a three-year contract with the Florida Marlins worth $18 million on November 16, 2010.[1] The deal was confirmed on November 17, 2010.[2] In his first game with the Marlins, he hit a grand slam off of New York Mets pitcher Mike Pelfrey.[9]
In 2011, he had the lowest percentage of runners caught stealing of all major league catchers, at .170.[10]
Buck's wife Brooke gave birth to twins twelve weeks prematurely in May 2008. The twins' names are Cooper and Brody.[11]
In December 2011, Buck assisted in rescuing two elderly women from an overturned car in Sunrise, FL.[12]