2-time All-Star has redefined himself, transitioning from dynamic leadoff hitter to legitimate
middle-of-order power threat...despite down year in 2007, is still 2nd among NL 2nd basemen with
201 RBI and tied for 5th with 44 HRs since '05 All-Star Break (PHI's Chase Utley leads in both categories
with 71 and 270, respectively)...put together best big league season and one of top power years
for switch-hitter in Giants history in 2006, posting 2nd-highest HR output (26) and 4th-best RBI total
(93) in franchise annals (since 1900)...beginning in 2nd half of 2005 campaign until end of '06 season,
switch-hitter batted .295 (216-for-731) with 46 2Bs, 33 HRs, 130 RBI and .513 slugging pct. over 206
games...long one of baseball's premier offensive catalysts, is tied with Devon White for 6th on all-time
list with 34 leadoff HRs and is tied for 16th among active players with 265 stolen bases...posted at least
15 home runs with 100 runs, 20 steals, .450 slugging pct. and 65 RBI for 3 straight seasons 2000-02,
becoming just 10th player in baseball history to accomplish feat...originally 5th round pick by White
Sox in 1990, left Chicago in 2002 as club's all-time leader in leadoff home runs (20), while ranking 5th
in steals (219), 7th in doubles (249) and extra-base hits (408) and 8th in runs (784)...also logged halfseason
with Oakland in 2002.
Graduated from Harding (Charlotte, NC) High School in 1990...played baseball and
football in high school...was on state select baseball team and was honorable mention All-America
defensive back...intercepted 14 passes his senior year...brother, Chad, was outfielder in Cardinals
system and led Midwest League in 2000 with 56 stolen bases...has daughter (Kendra Amber, Feb.
15, 1995) and son (Trent Austin, June 12, 1998).
Postseason:
Has participated in post season on 3 occasions, having logged 12 LDS contests
with AL Central champion Chicago White Sox in 2000, AL West titlist Oakland in 2002 and 2003
NL West division winner San Francisco...has hit safely in 10 of 12 career playoff games, batting
.271 (13-for-48) with 11 runs, 4 2Bs, 3 HRs and 3 RBI...more impressively, has logged .375 onbase
pct. and .542 slugging mark while starting each contest in leadoff spot...slugged solo HR off
Seattle's Freddy Garcia in 1st career post season contest in 2000...hit at .333 clip (7-for-21) with
7 runs scored in 5 games for A's in 2002...led off Oakland's Game 3 victory at Minnesota with
inside-the-park HR off Rick Reed...also homered off Twins' Brad Radke in decisive Game 5 of
2002 ALDS, finishing contest 3-for-5...hit safely in all 4 games vs. Florida in 2003, going 4-for-17
(.235) with 2 runs scored.
A Giant in the Community:
Has donated $95,000 worth of tickets to underserved community members and AIM High Summer School Program and has met with more than 750 students from program prior to game during his 1st 4 seasons with Giants...served as Giants spokesman for San Francisco Immunization Coalition and participated in pre-game ceremony with former First Lady Rosalynn Carter to raise awareness about importance of timely immunization for children... also participated in Giants' Education Night and Giants Holiday Party for homeless children and their families...has also made $30,000 contribution to Giants Community Fund Junior Giants Scholarship Program...has spoken at annual Junior Giants Commissioner's Meeting and attended Giants Community Fund Golf Classic...has participated in "Picnic in the Park," event held on field at AT&T Park following game for season ticket holders...has also lent his time to KNBR/Giants Winter FanFest...was named White Sox finalist for 2000 Roberto Clemente Award...served meals to local children through Greater Chicago Food Depository, donated White Sox game tickets to local youth groups and visited Chicago White Sox Training Centers Camp...also participated in opening ceremonies of 2000 Chicago White Sox Training Centers...made 1999 appearances at Chicago Children's Memorial Hospital as well as Inner City Little League.
2007
Had toughest year as Giant, posting career-low .218 avg. with 55 runs scored, 11
home runs and 71 RBI in 138 games...did finish 3rd on team in RBI, trailing only Bengie Molina
(81) and Pedro Feliz (72)...hit safely in 82 games, while starting 117 contests (all at 2B)...had season
mark at .286 through May 8 (32-for-112), hitting safely in 27 of 1st 32 games...however, from
May 9 to end of year, hit just .196 (69-for-352) over last 106 contests...included was .165 spell
(30-for-182) with 3 HRs and 25 RBI in 60 contests after All-Star Break...excelled as pinch hitter
late in season, tying for 6th in NL with 10 pinch-RBI, despite having only 20 such at-bats...hit .350
(7 hits) as pinch hitter, with 2B and 2 HRs.
2006
Established career highs with 26 HRs, 93 RBI and .538 slugging pct., while his .293 batting avg. represented 3rd-best mark...HR output was 2nd-highest in franchise history by switch-hitter, trailing only J.T. Snow's 28 clouts in 1997...RBI was 4th-highest total for switch-hitter in Giants annals (since 1900), behind only pair of 100-plus RBI seasons posted by Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch (111 in 1923 and 100 in 1921) and Snow's 104 in 1997...also ranked 2nd among all big league 2nd basemen for RBI (92 at position), while finishing 3rd in HRs (26)...batted .327 (81- for-248) after All-Star Break, with 14 HRs and 48 RBI...however, surge truly began June 8...entered play that day with .228 avg., but hit at .320 clip (113-for-353) with 23 2Bs, 6 3Bs, 22 HRs and 70 RBI over his last 96 games...RBI numbers were fueled by outstanding .331 season avg. (49-for- 148) with RISP, including .392 mark (31-for- 79) beginning June 28...posted .318 avg. (83- for-261) batting left-handed beginning June 14, after opening campaign with .184 mark (21-for-114)...year began slowly, as he endured 6-for-41 (.146) slump to open campaign...landed on Disabled List April 28-May 11 with left hamstring strain, injury suffered while beating out infield hit April 23 at Colorado...belted 1st career walk-off HR June 24, connecting off Oakland closer Huston Street for 3-run clout that erased 7-5 deficit in SF's 8-7 triumph... belted 1st grand slam as Giant (4th career) June 28 vs. Texas, 3rd-inning blast off John Rheinecker...logged multi-HR contest July 25 at Washington, homering from both sides of plate for 1st time in his career...became 1st Giant to homer from both sides since Todd Benzinger Aug. 30, 1993 at Florida.
2005
Made seamless transition from leadoff man to middle of SF lineup, batting .290 with 12 HRs and 62 RBI...was even better following All-Star Break, batting even .300 (70-for-233) with 16 2Bs, 7 HRs and 37 RBI...ranked 15th in NL by hitting .344 (21-for-61) with RISP during 2nd half...batted throughout lineup during campaign, hitting in leadoff spot (22 times), 2nd spot (once), 3rd spot (4 times), 4th spot (5 times), 5th spot (78 times) and 6th spot (21 times)...was .323 hitter (94-for-291) when hitting 5th, with 16 2Bs, 9 HRs and 39 RBI...ranked 3rd on club in RBI, thanks to .306 avg. (37-for-121) with RISP...was hitting only .225 on May 8, but hit .302 (126-for-417) with 29 2Bs, 12 HRs and 54 RBI in his last 119 games (hitting safely in 78 contests)...started 131 games (all at 2B), while setting his SF-high with 141 contests overall...Giants logged impressive 35-19 (.648) ledger when he scored run...opened campaign in customary leadoff role, but was moved to 6th spot April 26 vs. San Diego...that contest marked lowest he had hit since also batting 6th for White Sox June 21, 2002 at Atlanta...batted .396 (19-for-48) during team-high 13-game hitting streak May 9-24, 3 shy of career-best 16-game binge in 2003...executed successful steal of home in 9th inning Sept. 5 at LA, 1st theft of home by Giant since Darren Lewis accomplished feat Sept. 28, 1991 at Dodger Stadium...finished 5th among NL second baseman with .982 fielding pct. (11 errors, 601 total chances)...committed just 1 error over his last 57 games, after being charged with 10 miscues in his initial 77 contests in field.
2004
Returned to upper echelon of big league leadoff hitters with excellent campaign...SF offense reached higher gear after he was activated from Disabled List June 15, leading NL by scoring 550 runs in 99 contests (5.6 per game)...personally, tied for 3rd in senior circuit with 75 runs scored during span, while batting .283 (106-for-374) with 23 2Bs, 7 3Bs, 15 HRs, 57 RBI, 50 walks and 5 HBPs...belted 9 leadoff homers, which matched MON's Brad Wilkerson for ML lead...also tied for 5th-highest single-season total all-time and 2nd-most in Giants franchise annals...Yankees' Alfonso Soriano set ML mark with 13 game-opening clouts in 2003, while Bobby Bonds established Giants mark with 11 in 1973...led all NL leadoff hitters with 65 RBI, while ranking 3rd with 17 total roundtrippers...landed on Disabled List April 28 due to left patellar tendon strain...suffered injury in April 27 contest vs. Atlanta, stepping on 1st base in 7th inning while unsuccessfully attempting to beat out double play grounder...returned May 13, however went back on DL May 25-June 14 with strained left hamstring...established career high with 5 RBI while logging 5th career 2-homer game July 2 vs. Oakland, belting 2-run shot in 3rd inning and 3-run blast in 6th (both off Mark Redman)...enjoyed torrid run during SF's stretch drive, hitting safely in 29 of his last 38 games with .346 avg. (53-for-153), 31 runs, 18 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 5 HRs and 20 RBI...established career high with 5-hit effort Sept. 28 at San Diego, sparking SF's 7-5 victory by going 5-for-6 with 2 runs scored, 2B, RBI and stolen base...belted 9th leadoff homer of campaign in Oct. 3 season finale at LA, connecting off Kazuhisa Ishii.
2003
Was limited by pair of leg injuries to career-low 110 games in 1st Giants campaign...in fact, failed to play in 150 contests for 1st time since seeing action in 125 games as White Sox rookie in 1995...still led club with 5 triples, while ranking 2nd with 30 doubles...finished campaign with solid .285 avg., 8 HRs and 33 RBI...in fact, was bona fide offensive sparkplug while in lineup, reaching base safely in 89 of his 100 starts...scored run in 52 contests, with SF logging outstanding 43-9 (.827) ledger when he crossed plate at least once...entered season having never been on DL during 8-year ML career, but was shelved for 1st time May 11-26 with severe right ankle sprain...suffered injury May 10 at Atlanta, jamming ankle into base on triple attempt in 5th inning...landed on DL for 2nd time Aug. 7-31 with right hamstring strain, injury incurred on stolen base attempt Aug. 6 vs. Pittsburgh...however, had missed 4 of previous 5 contests prior to disablement with right hip bursitis...was activated Sept. 1 and regained All-Star form down stretch, hitting .297 (22-for-74) with 13 runs, 2 HRs and 10 RBI over his final 23 games (16 starts)... matched Brian Downing for 12th all-time with his 25th career leadoff homer Sept. 10 at San Diego (off Brian Lawrence)...in fact, drilled leadoff clout in SF debut March 31 in season opener at San Diego (also off Lawrence)...marked just 25th time in ML history player has hit leadoff homer in season opener, 1st time by Giant since Gary Thomasson hit Don Sutton's 1st pitch of 1977 campaign (April 7 at Dodger Stadium)...also went deep to open April 29 game vs. Cubs (off Kerry Wood) and July 12 contest at Arizona (off Curt Schilling)...compiled career-best 16-game hitting streak May 27-June 14, batting .371 (23-for-62) with 12 runs and 8 RBI...belted pair of solo homers off Arizona's Brandon Webb July 24, including game-tying clout in 8th...marked 4th career multi-HR game, while 5th-inning 2B hit top of CF wall.
2002
Split season between Chicago White Sox and Oakland, being acquired by A's prior to trading deadline for minor league pitcher Jon Adkins July 25...combined to hit .289 with 114 runs, 34 2Bs, 6 3Bs, 15 HRs, 70 RBI and 26 stolen bases in 150 contests...tied for 7th in AL with 114 runs scored...it marked 6th consecutive season he has scored 100 or more runs...only Derek Jeter, Alex Rodriguez and Bernie Williams have done that every year since 1997...ranked 8th in AL with 26 stolen bases, his 7th consecutive campaign with 20 or more steals...also ranked 5th in AL in pitches per plate appearance (4.07) and 4th in sacrifice hits (10)...was batting .299 with 71 runs, 9 HRs, 48 RBI and 20 stolen bases in 96 games with Chicago at time of trade...made 92 starts with White Sox, all at 2B, and hit 2nd 67 times...hit .274 with 6 HRs and 22 RBI in 54 games with A's...made 54 starts with Oakland (43 at DH and 11 at 2B)...batted leadoff 43 times with A's and hit 2nd 11 times...Oakland was 38-16 (.704) with him in lineup...committed 17 errors at 2B for .967 fielding percentage, lowest mark of career...error total was 2nd most among A.L. second basemen (Soriano NYY, 23)...stole 200th base on Opening Day, April 1 at Seattle...matched his career high with 4 RBI April 17 against Cleveland...equaled his career high with 4 hits July 11 at Detroit, 1st of 3 4-hit games in 2002...hit safely in each of 1st 6 games with Oakland (8 for 27, .296), capping streak with his 1st home run as Athletic Aug. 1 in 5-3 win over Detroit...hit 1st leadoff home run of season and 21st of career Aug. 30 vs. Twins...solo home run Sept. 13 vs. Seattle was his 500th career RBI...started all 5 games of Oakland's Division Series vs. Minnesota and hit .333 (7-for-21) with 7 runs, 3 2Bs, 2 HRs, 2 RBI and SB...led off Game 3 with inside-the-park HR off Rick Reed at Metrodome...also homered off Brad Radke in decisive Game 5...was 3-for-5 with RBI in contest.
2001
Established career highs in 2Bs (42), 3Bs (10), HRs (20) and extra-base hits (72)...became only 6th player (7th time) since 1950 to record at least 40 doubles, 10 triples and 20 home runs, joining Bobby Abreu (2000), Nomar Garciaparra (1997), Robin Yount (1980 and '82), George Brett (1979) and Hal McRae (1977)...72 extra-base hits tied Magglio Ordonez (2001) and Frank Thomas (1992) for 7th in White Sox history, and 42 doubles tied for 10th-highest total...scored 100 runs (104) for 5th straight season, joining Frank Thomas (1991-98) as only players in club history to accomplish feat...also joined Tommie Agee (1966) and Magglio Ordonez (2001) as only players in Sox history to record 20 homers and 20 stolen bases in season...ranked among AL leaders in 2Bs (5th), 3Bs (5th) and runs scored (10th)...was only player in majors to record at least 40 doubles, 10 triples and 20 stolen bases...ranked 2nd among AL 2nd basemen with career-high .986 fielding percentage (10 errors, 736 total chances)...was one of 5 Sox players to hit 20-plus homers, tying club record set in 2000...made 7th straight Opening Day start at 2nd base, 2nd-longest streak in Sox history behind Nellie Fox (14 straight from 1950-63)...hit .284 after break, up from .251 in 1st half...hit 6 leadoff home runs...was named AL Player of Week for May 21-27 (.407, 11-for-27), his 2nd career weekly honor...played in 1,000th career game Aug. 3 vs. Tampa Bay...hit 2 homers Aug. 22 at Kansas City and Oct. 5 at Minnesota (2nd and 3rd career multi-homer contests)...matched career high with 4 RBI Sept. 7 at Cleveland and Oct. 5 at Minnesota.
2000
Was named to American League All-Star Team for 2nd time in 3 seasons...121 runs scored tied for 3rd in AL and were 3rd-highest total in White Sox history...was one of franchise-record 5 Sox players to score 100 runs, joining Frank Thomas, Carlos Lee, Magglio Ordonez and Jose Valentin...joined Nellie Fox as only 2nd basemen in club history to score 100 runs in 4 straight seasons...posted career high in RBI (75)...ranked 10th in AL with 25 stolen bases, 4th in 3Bs and tied for 8th in at-bats (614)...15 errors were 2nd-most among AL 2nd basemen, but he committed just 2 in his last 52 games...his .980 fielding percentage was his highest since 1996 (.984)...was 1-for-2 with run scored at Mid Summer Classic in Atlanta...batted .200 (2-for-10) with 2 runs, 2B, HR and 3 walks in ALDS vs. Seattle...April 6 leadoff homer at Texas was 10th of career, breaking club record he shared with Tim Raines...Jose Valentin followed his leadoff shot July 4 at Kansas City with solo home run, 1st time Sox had opened with back-to-back home runs since Sept. 2, 1937 when Boze Berger and Mike Kreevich accomplished feat...hit 3rd career grand slam Sept. 20 at Detroit, matching his career high of 4 RBI...reached base safely in 7 straight plate appearances from June 27-28...scored 500th career run April 18 vs. Seattle...was finalist for Roberto Clemente Award.
1999
Batted career-high .296...ranked among AL leaders in stolen bases (8th, 34), 3Bs (T5th, 8) and at-bats (10th, 612)...matched career bests with 181 hits and 73 walks...with 109 runs scored and 34 stolen bases, became 1st player in franchise history to score 100 runs and record 30 steals in 3 consecutive seasons...recorded 30-plus steals for 4th straight season...hit 9th career leadoff home run May 4 at Baltimore, tying Tim Raines' club record...also homered to lead off game April 6 at Seattle...recorded 1st career multi-homer game April 25 vs. Detroit...1st homer was 50th of career.
1998
Established career highs in almost every offensive category and was named to 1st All-Star Team...ranked 2nd in AL in runs scored (126) and plate appearances (723), 3rd in at bats (635), tied for 4th in 3Bs (8), 6th in stolen base success (80.0, 36 for 45), 10th in stolen bases (36) and tied for 10th in games played (158)...126 runs scored were 2nd most in White Sox history behind John Mostil (135 in 1925), while 19 home runs set club record for 2nd basemen, surpassing Jim Morrison's 15 in 1980...led Sox in at bats, runs scored, 3Bs and SBs, and was 2nd in hits (181) and total bases (289)...led AL 2nd basemen in runs scored and total bases, ranked 2nd in triples, RBI (67) and SBs, and 3rd in average (.285) and slugging percentage (.455)...became 1st Sox player since Tim Raines in 1991-92 to record 30 steals and 100 runs scored in consecutive seasons...also became 1st Sox player since Luis Aparicio (1959-62) with 30 steals in 3 straight seasons...fell 1 home run short of becoming 9th middle infielder (14th time) in Major League history to record 20 home runs and 30 stolen bases in season...was 4th White Sox second baseman to be named All-Star, joining Cass Michaels (1949), Nellie Fox (1951-61, 63) and Jorge Orta (1976)...entered All-Star Game at Colorado in 9th inning, going 1-for-1 with run and RBI...hit 5 leadoff home runs...was named AL Player of Week for Aug. 10-16, his 1st career honor...collected 500th career hit May 27 vs. Yankees, 100th career double June 6 at Cubs and 100th stolen base July 4 at Boston.
1997
Ranked 5th in AL in plate appearances (711), 6th in stolen bases (33) and 9th in runs scored (106)...with team-leading 33 steals, became 1st Sox player since Lance Johnson in 1992-93 to record 30 stolen bases in back-to-back seasons...led Sox with 36 infield hits and tied for 2nd with 46 multi-hit games...compiled career-high, 14-game hitting streak Sept. 12-27...went 25-for-61 (.410) with 4 doubles, 2 home runs and 17 runs scored during streak...stole career-high 3 bases and matched career high with 3 walks July 22 at Detroit...hit leadoff home runs June 13 at Cincinnati and Aug.6 at Oakland.
1996
Led White Sox in 2Bs (33) and stolen bases (30)...ranked 6th in AL in stolen bases and topped league with 88.2 percent (30-for-34) success rate...65 RBI were the most by Sox 2nd baseman since Jorge Orta drove in 84 in 1977...became 1st 2nd baseman in Sox history to lead team in 2Bs 2 straight seasons...his .984 fielding percentage ranked 5th in league...hit grand slam May 18 at Detroit...stole home July 19 vs. Kansas City, becoming 1st Sox player to accomplish feat since Lance Johnson July 10, 1994 at Milwaukee.
1995
Tied for 6th in AL Rookie of Year voting...became 1st White Sox player since Ozzie Guillen (1985) to make ML debut as starter on Opening Day... 27 2Bs tied Frank Thomas for team lead and were most by Sox 2nd baseman since Jim Morrison hit 40 in 1980...tied for 8th in AL with 6 3Bs...hit 1st career home run May 28 at Detroit and 1st grand slam Aug. 25 at Toronto...collected bunt single in 1st Major League at-bat April 26 at Milwaukee...finished with 29 infield hits and 8 bunt singles.
1994
Was selected Minor League Player of Year in White Sox organization by
USA Today,
Baseball America and Howe Sportsdata International...was named to Post Season Minor League All-Star Team by
Baseball America...led American Association in total bases (261) and tied for 1st with 12 3Bs...was 2nd in at bats (527), tied for 2nd in extra base hits (61), 4th in hits (156), runs (89) doubles (33) and stolen base percentage (75.5) and tied for 4th with 34 stolen bases...finished 10th in league's batting race with .296 average...was recipient of Charles W. Lubin Most Valuable Player Award at triple-A Nashville...was named triple-A's Post Season All-Star 2nd baseman and was chosen "Star of Stars" at Triple-A All-Star Game in Nashville July 13...was honored as 2nd baseman on Topps/National Association Triple-A All-Star Team...was only Triple-A player to reach double figures in 2Bs, 3Bs and HRs...played for Arecibo in Puerto Rican Winter League.
1993
Ranked 2nd in Southern League with 39 stolen bases at double-A Birmingham...led Barons with 83 runs scored and 10 triples...batted .538 in SL Championship Series...named Howe SportsData Southern League Player of Week for May 30-June 5...voted Best and Fastest Baserunner in SL by
Baseball America.
1992
Ranked 2nd at single-A Sarasota with 28 stolen bases and .398 on-base percentage.
1991
Appeared at rookie-league Sarasota and single-A Utica.
1990
Led Sarasota with 22 stolen bases.
