Mike Cameron

Mike Cameron
Center fielder
Born: (1973-01-08) January 8, 1973 LaGrange, Georgia
Batted: Right	Threw: Right
MLB debut
August 27, 1995 for the Chicago White Sox
Last MLB appearance
September 12, 2011 for the Florida Marlins
Career statistics
Batting average	.249
Home runs	278
Runs batted in	968
Teams
Chicago White Sox (1995–1998) Cincinnati Reds (1999) Seattle Mariners (2000–2003) New York Mets (2004–2005) San Diego Padres (2006–2007) Milwaukee Brewers (2008–2009) Boston Red Sox (2010–2011) Florida Marlins (2011)
Career highlights and awards
All-Star (2001) 3× Gold Glove Award winner (2001, 2003, 2006) Hit 4 home runs in one game on May 2, 2002

Michael Terrance Cameron (born January 8, 1973, in LaGrange, Georgia) is an American former professional Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, and Florida Marlins.

In 2002, Cameron became the 13th player to hit four home runs in one game. He was also an All-Star in 2001 and won Gold Gloves in 2001, 2003, and 2006.^[1]

Playing career

High school

Cameron attended LaGrange High School in LaGrange, Georgia.

Chicago White Sox

Cameron was drafted out of high school by the Chicago White Sox in 1991. His major league debut took place on August 27, 1995, with the White Sox. In 1997 he won a starting job as the team's regular center fielder.

Cincinnati Reds

He was traded to the Cincinnati Reds for Paul Konerko in 1998.^[2]

Seattle Mariners

Along with three other players he was traded to the Seattle Mariners for Ken Griffey, Jr. before the 2000 season.^[3]

Cameron tied a major league record on May 2, 2002 when he hit four home runs in one game^[4][5] becoming only the 15th player in MLB history to do this. In his fifth at bat, he hit one to the warning track, just missing what would have been a record setting fifth home run. He played in the All-Star Game in 2001^[6] and has reached the postseason twice and won the Gold Glove Award in 2001, 2003, and 2006 for his defensive play in the outfield.^[7] He led all major league center fielders in range factor (3.42) in 2003.^[8]

New York Mets

In 2004 he signed a three year, $19.5 million contract to play center field for the New York Mets. With the acquisition by the Mets of Carlos Beltran before the 2005 season, Cameron surrendered his position to the star center fielder and played most of his games in right field during the 2005 season.^[9] On August 11, 2005, in San Diego, Cameron collided with Beltran in the outfield as both made diving attempts to catch a fly ball. Cameron suffered a concussion and multiple fractures of his nose and cheekbones, and was removed from the field on a stretcher.^[10] Beltran also suffered a concussion but was able to walk off the field with help.

San Diego Padres

Cameron batting for the Padres in 2007.

On November 15, 2005 Cameron was traded to the San Diego Padres for Xavier Nady.^[11] He won his first National League Gold Glove award during the 2006 season with San Diego.^[12]

After leaving the Seattle Mariners in 2004 via free agency, Cameron played his first game back in Seattle during interleague play in May 2006. Mariners fans greeted his return with a standing ovation.

On October 31, 2007, it was announced that he had failed a test for banned stimulants for a second time and would miss the first 25 games of the 2008 season.^[13] Cameron has said he believes that a supplement he took was "tainted." However, given the requirement of two failed drug tests before an announcement is made, this explanation is questionable. He was just the second major leaguer to be suspended for a second positive test for stimulants, following Neifi Pérez.^[14]

Milwaukee Brewers

Cameron playing for the Brewers in 2008.

On January 14, 2008 he signed a 1-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers.^[15]

On March 13, 2008, Cameron applied for a therapeutic exemption to use stimulants during the 2008 season because of his outfield collision with former teammate Carlos Beltran. He claimed to be struggling with after-effects of the collision that ended his 2005 season.^[16] If he had applied for the exemption in 2007, he could have avoided the 25-game suspension he had to serve to begin this season for testing positive for a banned stimulant for the second time. He also told USA Today that he will see a neurologist to determine if he is suffering from post-concussion syndrome.^[16] If the exemption is granted, Cameron would be permitted to use some amphetamines that are currently banned by the Major League Baseball drug policy.

In November 2008, his club option was picked up by the Brewers for the 2009 season.^[17]

On May 24, 2009, Cameron hit his 250th career home run against the Minnesota Twins, becoming the 20th player in the league to hit 250 home runs and steal 250 bases.^[18]

Boston Red Sox

On December 16, 2009, Cameron signed a 2-year deal with the Boston Red Sox.^[19] He missed most of the season with a groin injury but managed to still hit 4 home runs on the season.

Cameron made 70 plate appearances for Boston, batting .143, before being designated for assignment on June 29.^[20]

Florida Marlins

On July 5, he was traded to the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later or cash considerations.^[21] He was released on September 13, 2011.^[22]

Washington Nationals

On December 19, 2011, he agreed to a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals.^[23]

Cameron never played in any games for the Nationals after announcing his retirement on February 19, 2012.^[24] He signed a one-day contract with Seattle on April 14, 2012, to officially retire as a Mariner before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Mariners' home opener that same day.^[25]

Personal

Cincinnati Reds announcer Marty Brennaman once said Cameron is one of his top 10 favorite players he has ever been around.^[26] Together with Greg Brown and Robin Roberts, Cameron wrote a book (aimed primarily at children) titled "It Takes a Team: Mike Cameron", ISBN 1-57243-502-X, where he presents his views on the importance of teamwork and describes his life. Published in 2002 by Triumph Books.

After being selected to the American League All-Star Team in 2001, Cameron used his salary bonus to purchase All-Star Game warm-up jackets for all of his Seattle Mariner teammates. He is known for routinely sitting on top of the dugout to sign autographs and talk with fans before games. He is also founder of the Cam4Kids Foundation and was host of the First State Golf Tournament for Inner City Kids in Seattle in 2002; these in effort to raise money to provide scholarships to inner-city youth. He is actively involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation as well as the Starlight Foundation.^[27]

See also

• List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
• List of Major League Baseball leaders in career stolen bases
• Batters with four home runs in one game
• List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences

References

External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube, or Baseball-Reference (Minors)