Mike Fitzgerald (catcher)

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Mike Fitzgerald
Catcher
Born: (1960-07-13) July 13, 1960
Long Beach, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
MLB debut
September 13, 1983 for the New York Mets
Last MLB appearance
October 4, 1992 for the California Angels
Career statistics
Batting average .235
Home runs 48
Runs batted in 293
Teams

Career highlights and awards

Michael Roy Fitzgerald (born July 13, 1960 in Long Beach, California), is a former professional baseball player.[1] He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1983 to 1992 for the New York Mets, the Montreal Expos and the California Angels.[1]

Major League career

Fitzgerald was selected by New York Mets in the 6th round of the 1978 Major League Baseball Draft.[2] He made his major league debut with the New York Mets on September 13, 1983.[1] Fitzgerald hit a home run in his first major league at bat, becoming the 57th player in major league history to accomplish the feat.[3][4] In 1984, he led National League catchers in range factor and fielding percentage, becoming only the fourth catcher in major league history to win a fielding title in his rookie year.[5][6] Fitzgerald was selected as the catcher for the 1984 Baseball Digest Rookie All-Star team, and for the 1984 Topps All-Star Rookie Roster.[7]

On December 14, 1984, the New York Mets traded Fitzgerald along with Hubie Brooks, Herm Winningham and minor league pitcher Floyd Youmans to the Montreal Expos for catcher Gary Carter.[8] He became the Expos starting catcher, posting his best offensive year in 1986 with a .282 batting average, 6 home runs and 37 runs batted in.[1] In October 1991, the Expos granted Fitzgerald free agency and in February 1992, he signed a contract to play for the California Angels.[8] After one year as the Angels starting catcher, he retired as a player.[1]

Career statistics

In a 10 year career, Fitzgerald played in 848 games, accumulating 545 hits in 2316 at bats for a .235 career batting average along with 48 home runs and 293 runs batted in.[1] He ended his career with a .988 fielding percentage.[1]

See also

  • List of players with a home run in first major league at-bat


References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Mike Fitzgerald at Baseball Reference
  2. ↑ 1978 Major League Baseball Draft 6th Round at www.thebaseballcube.com
  3. ↑ Home Run In First At Bat at Baseball Almanac
  4. ↑ Homered in First At Bat at The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers
  5. ↑ 1984 National League Fielding Leaders at Baseball Reference
  6. ↑ Baseball Digest May 2007, Vol. 99, No. 6, ISSN 0005-609X
  7. ↑ Rookie of the Year Winners at The Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Mike Fitzgerald Trades and Transactions at Baseball Almanac

External links

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