Eric Chavez
From BR Bullpen
Eric Cesar Chavez
- Bats Left, Throws Right
- Height 6' 0", Weight 204 lb.
- High School Mt. Carmel High School
- Debut September 8, 1998
- Born December 7, 1977 in Los Angeles, CA USA
[edit] Biographical Information
Eric Chavez, a first-round draft pick by the Oakland Athletics in 1996, played for Oakland from 1998 to 2010, with a slugging average of .478 and six Gold Gloves at third base over that period. His career has been derailed by repeated injuries in recent years, however.
While 2006 was not his most impressive season, he helped the team by getting 84 walks to go with his 22 home runs, and he again was a strong defensive player at third base. As a comparison to the rival Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, their third baseman Maicer Izturis had a much higher batting average but many fewer walks and home runs, and so Chavez had a higher OPS.
His injury problems over recent years have been mainly with a sore back, forcing him to become a designated hitter. When injuries cut his season short again in early 2010 after only 33 games, it seemed that he would decide to retire for good, but he attempted another comeback with the New York Yankees in 2011. After a solid spring training, he made the team as a back-up first baseman. He started the season well, batting .290 with a .405 OBP in his first 16 games; he even spelled out Alex Rodriguez at third base for a few games while the superstar was dealing with various aches and pains. Injury struck again on May 5, however, as he broke a bone in left foot legging out a triple and was immediately placed on the disabled list. He came back in time to spell A-Rod for a longer period in August, and ended up playing 42 games at 3B out of 58 total games. He hit .263/.320/.356 for the year.
[edit] Notable Achievements
- 1998 Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year, Huntsville Stars, Southern League & Edmonton Trappers, Pacific Coast League
- 6-time AL Gold Glove Winner (2001-2006)
- AL Silver Slugger Award Winner (2002)
- AL Bases on Balls Leader (2004)
- 20-Home Run Seasons: 7 (2000-2006)
- 30-Home Run Seasons: 2 (2001 & 2002)
- 100 RBI Seasons: 4 (2001-2003 & 2005)
