Mike Cameron

From BR Bullpen

Michael Terrance Cameron

Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 6' 1", Weight 170 lb.

Debut August 27, 1995
Born January 8, 1973 in LaGrange, GA USA

[edit] Biographical Information

A three-time Gold Glove winner (2001, 2003 & 2006), Mike Cameron is both a power and speed threat. Cameron has had five 20-20 seasons in his career. He had his best year (as measured by Adjusted OPS+) with the great 2001 Seattle Mariners who won 116 games. However, his own personal highlight came in 2002, when he hit four home runs in one game on May 2 in a 15-4 win against the White Sox. In that game, he and teammate Bret Boone both hit two home runs in the first inning, when the Mariners put 10 runs on the scoreboard; it is the only time in MLB history that two teammates have homered twice in an inning.

Originally drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 1991 amateur draft, Cameron was traded by the Sox to the Cincinnati Reds for Paul Konerko after the 1998 season. One year later, Cameron was dealt to the Seattle Mariners along with Brett Tomko and Antonio Perez for Ken Griffey Jr. Mike signed a three-year contract with the New York Mets after the 2003 season, but with the acquisition of Carlos Beltran for the 2005 season, he had to move to right field, then was traded to the San Diego Padres over the winter.

In 2005 Cameron suffered a nasty injury after he collided head first with center fielder Beltran while diving for a ball. Cameron suffered a broken cheek bone and many lacerations to his face and only played in 76 games that year. He made a solid comeback with the Padres the following season. Back in center field, he won a Gold Glove while hiting 22 home runs and driving in 83 runs.

Cameron tested positive for a stimulant for the second time in November of 2007. That led to his being banned for 25 games at the beginning of 2008.