| Jacoby Ellsbury | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Ellsbury with the New York Yankees in 2015 | |
| Center fielder | |
| Born: (1983-09-11)September 11, 1983 (age 42) Madras, Oregon, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 30, 2007, for the Boston Red Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 30, 2017, for the New York Yankees | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .284 |
| Home runs | 104 |
| Runs batted in | 512 |
| Stolen bases | 343 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury (/dʒəˈkoʊbi/jə-KOH-bee; born September 11, 1983) is an American former professionalbaseballcenter fielder. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theBoston Red Sox from 2007 through 2013 and then played for theNew York Yankees from 2014 to 2017. An enrolled member of theColorado River Indian Tribes, Ellsbury is the firstNative American ofNavajo descent to play Major League Baseball.
Ellsbury was drafted by theTampa Bay Devil Rays in the 23rd round of the2002 MLB draft, but did not sign. After having playedcollege baseball for three years atOregon State University, he was selected in the 1st round by the Red Sox, as the 23rd overall pick in the2005 draft. He made his major league debut for the Red Sox in 2007. In 2011, Ellsbury was namedAmerican League Comeback Player of the Year, was named to the American League All-Star team, won aGold Glove and aSilver Slugger Award, became the first Red Sox player in history to be a member of the30–30 club, and was the runner-up toJustin Verlander for the American League Most Valuable Player Award. He led the American League in stolen bases three times (in 2008, 2009, and 2013) and won World Series championships as a member of the Red Sox in 2007 and 2013.
After the 2013 season, Ellsbury signed a seven-year, $153 million contract with the Yankees. He played for the Yankees from 2014 to 2017, but was unable to play in 2018 or 2019 due to injury. Ellsbury was released by the Yankees on November 20, 2019. He ended his playing days as the single season and career record holder for reaching base viacatcher's interference.[1]
Ellsbury was born on September 11, 1983, to Jim and Margie Ellsbury. He is the eldest of four children. The Ellsburys lived on theWarm Springs Indian Reservation until they moved toMadras, Oregon, when Jacoby was in kindergarten.[2] He was raised inthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[3]
Ellsbury is an enrolled member of theColorado River Indian Tribes.[4] Margie Ellsbury is a full-bloodedNavajo and a descendant of 19th-century tribal leader Ganado Mucho. Her father, Franklin McCabe, was asilversmith, and her mother was a traditionalrug weaver.[5] Jim Ellsbury is of English and German descent.[6]
In Little League, Ellsbury often played with teammates up to three years older than him.[7] AtMadras High School, helettered in five sports.[3] In his senior year in baseball, he hit .537 with 65 stolen bases. In basketball, he averaged 23.6 points and 4.4 blocks per game. He finished his football career with nine interceptions and six kickoff returns for touchdowns. He went toOregon State University where he was aBaseball America first-team All-American andPac-10 Conference Co-Player of the year, withTrevor Crowe. In 2002, he played collegiate summer baseball with theBend Elks of theWest Coast League.[8] In 2004, he playedcollegiate summer baseball with theFalmouth Commodores of theCape Cod Baseball League.[9][10] He was drafted in the first round of the2005 MLB draft by theBoston Red Sox as a compensation pick from theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim for the signing ofOrlando Cabrera.[11]
Ellsbury began his professional career on July 14, 2005, with theLowell Spinners in theClass A-Short SeasonNew York–Penn League. On September 7, he tied a Lowell team record with three stolen bases in a single game. For the 2005 season, he batted .317 with 23 stolen bases in 35 games.[12]
Ellsbury began the 2006 season ranked byBaseball America as the sixth-bestprospect in the Red Sox' organization.[13] He started the season with theWilmington Blue Rocks of theClass A-AdvancedCarolina League. On July 3, he tied a Wilmington franchise record by stealing four bases in a game.[14] After batting .299 with 25 steals in 61 games and being named to the 2006 Carolina League All-Star team, Ellsbury was promoted to thePortland Sea Dogs of theClass AAEastern League on July 12, 2006.[15] Soon after his promotion to Portland, Ellsbury was named Eastern League Player of the Week for August 6–13.[16] Ellsbury finished the season in Portland with .308 batting average and 16 steals in 50 games. The Red Sox selected him as their Minor League Defensive Player of the Year and Baserunner of the Year.[17] The team assigned him to thePeoria Javelinas of theArizona Fall League (AFL), an off-season developmental league for top prospects. In the AFL, Ellsbury hit .276 in 25 games. His defensive skills earned him a spot in the AFL Rising Stars All-Star game.[18]
Ellsbury participated in the Red Sox' 2007spring training camp inFort Myers, Florida, as anon-roster invitee and was assigned to the minor league camp on March 9.[19] He was rated the best prospect in the Red Sox' organization[20] and the 33rd-best prospect in baseball for 2007 byBaseball America,[21] whileSports Illustrated ranked Ellsbury as the 43rd-best prospect in baseball.[22] Ellsbury began the 2007 season as the startingcenter fielder for the Sea Dogs and was promoted to thePawtucket Red Sox of theClass AAAInternational League on May 4 after batting .452 in 17 games at Portland and being named the Eastern League Player of the Month for April.[23] He was chosen to play in the 2007All-Star Futures Game as part of theMLB All-Star festivities atAT&T Park in San Francisco.[24] On August 24, Ellsbury set a new consecutive-game hitting streak record for Pawtucket with 25, besting the consecutive-game mark of 19 previously shared byDave Stapleton andDave Berg.[25]
Ellsbury finished the season with 33 stolen bases for Pawtucket, which tied him for second in the International League.[12] For the second consecutive season, the Red Sox selected him as their minor league Defensive Player of the Year and Baserunner of the Year.[26]
The 2007 Baseball America Prospect Handbook compared Ellsbury to former Red Sox center fielderJohnny Damon, lauding his speed, hitting and fielding while noting his below-average throwing arm.[27] AfterCoco Crisp was injured, the Red Sox purchased Ellsbury's contract and he received a call-up on June 30, in which he made his MLB debut in center field and hit ninth against theTexas Rangers atFenway Park[28] wearing number 46. Ellsbury is the firstAmerican Indian of Navajo descent to reach the major leagues.[28] He recorded his first major leaguehit, an infieldsingle offRobinson Tejeda, in the bottom of the third inning of that game. Ellsbury's first career stolen base came off pitcherBrandon McCarthy and catcherGerald Laird of the Rangers on July 2. He also scored from second base in that game on awild pitch.[28][29]Johnny Pesky described the play as "the greatest single play I've ever seen in all my years in baseball".[30] Ellsbury wasoptioned back to Pawtucket on July 5 after playing six games for the Red Sox.[31]
On August 17, the Red Sox recalled Ellsbury from Pawtucket for the second game of a doubleheader, in which he led off and played center field.[32] He was optioned back to Pawtucket after the game.[33] Whenmajor league rosters expanded to 40 players on September 1, he was aSeptember call-up by the Red Sox.[34] On September 2, he hit his first major league home run, a solo shot which landed in the Red Sox bullpen, in the bottom of the fourth inning offDaniel Cabrera of theBaltimore Orioles.[35] A September 2007 article inThe New York Times described him as a "cult hero" who brings "speed, improved defense, and unbridled enthusiasm."[36] Ellsbury was named MLB'sAmerican League Rookie of the Month for September 2007.[37] With fewer than 130 major league at-bats, he still qualified as arookie for the 2008 season.
During the 2007 postseason, with Crisp struggling, Ellsbury started in center field for Game 6 of the2007 American League Championship Series (ALCS) against theCleveland Indians, and started the remainder of the postseason for the Red Sox. In 11 postseason games, he hit .360 in 25 at-bats with two stolen bases.[38] With his two doubles offJosh Fogg in the top of the third inning of Game 3 of the2007 World Series on October 27, Ellsbury became the first rookie to hit two doubles in the same inning of a World Series game. After hitting another double, offBrian Fuentes in the eighth inning, he became the fourth rookie ever to hit three doubles in a World Series game. Ellsbury's four hits, including a single in the first inning, made him only the third rookie to ever accomplish the feat in the World Series, afterFreddie Lindstrom in the1924 World Series andJoe Garagiola in the1946 World Series.[39] He batted .438 with four doubles and a stolen base for the World Series.[38] The Red Sox eventually won the World Series in a four-game sweep over the Rockies, giving Ellsbury his first career championship title.
Heading into the 2008 season, Ellsbury was ranked the 13th-best prospect in baseball byBaseball America,[40] the 16th-best prospect byBaseball Prospectus,[41] and the 19th-best prospect byESPN Scouts Inc.[42] Ellsbury hit .224, with .291on-base percentage (OBP), and a .347slugging percentage in 16 spring training games and started in center field onOpening Day of the2008 Major League Baseball season against theOakland Athletics on March 25 at theTokyo Dome inTokyo, Japan.[43] Ellsbury had his first career multi-home run game against theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim on April 22.[44] Ellsbury stole 25 consecutive bases without being caught, until he was caught stealing in a game on May 18. He was two stolen bases shy of the major league record held byTim Raines in 1979.[45] With three stolen bases against theBaltimore Orioles on May 30, he became the first Red Sox player to steal more than two bases in a game sinceJerry Remy stole four in 1980.[46] Ellsbury stole his 32nd base of the season on June 15, breaking the Red Sox' rookie record, set 100 years earlier byAmby McConnell.[47] He finished the season with 50 steals to lead the American League,[38] putting him third on the list of Red Sox all-time stolen base leaders for a single season, behindTommy Harper (54) in 1973 andTris Speaker (52) in 1912.[38] Ellsbury finished third in theAL Rookie of the Year voting, behindEvan Longoria of Tampa Bay andAlexei Ramírez of theChicago White Sox.[48]
Ellsbury hit .333, with a .400 OBP and a .567 slugging percentage, and three stolen bases in the2008 American League Division Series (ALDS), in which the Red Sox defeated theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 3–1, in the best-of-five series.[38] In the second inning of Game 3 of the ALDS, he hit the first three-runsingle in postseason history whenHowie Kendrick andTorii Hunter let a pop-up fall to the ground between them.[49] After going 0–for-14 in the first three games of the2008 ALCS against theTampa Bay Rays, Ellsbury was benched in favor of Crisp with only apinch hittingat-bat in game 4.[50] He did not play in the final three games of the series, and the Sox eventually lost the series 4–3.
In 2008, Ellsbury was one of three active non-Hispanic Native American players in Major League Baseball, along withKyle Lohse andJoba Chamberlain.[51]
Ellsbury played his 179th straight regular-season game without anerror on April 12, 2009, breaking the franchise record for outfielders held byMike Greenwell. On April 15, with six errorless chances, Ellsbury passedCoco Crisp for most errorlesstotal chances by a center fielder, setting a new Red Sox franchise record of 433.[52] Ellsbury tied a major league record for outfielders with 12putouts in a nine-inning game on May 20, tyingEarl Clark of theBoston Braves, who accomplished the feat in 1929, andLyman Bostock of theMinnesota Twins, who did it in 1977.[53] Ellsbury's streak of errorless games ended at 232, with 554 errorless chances, when he committed an error on June 17.[54]
Ellsbury tiedTommy Harper's franchise single season record for stolen bases (54) on August 21.[55] Ellsbury then broke the record with his 55th steal on August 25, against theChicago White Sox.[56] He finished the season with 70 stolen bases, the most in the American League, and he also led the league in triples with 10.[38] He won Defensive Player of the Year in MLB.com's annual This Year in Baseball Awards 2009.[57]
During the offseason, Ellsbury changed hisuniform number from 46 to 2, which had belonged to the Red Sox' former bench coach,Brad Mills, who left the organization to become the manager of theHouston Astros.[58] With the Red Sox signing free agent center fielderMike Cameron and not re-signing left fielderJason Bay, Ellsbury became the Red Sox' starting left fielder. The move was made as the result of Cameron's experience in center and inexperience in left. ManagerTerry Francona expressed excitement over the prospect of playing a true center fielder in left field, creating a larger fielding range and more aggressive style.[59]
On April 11, Ellsbury collided with Red Sox third basemanAdrián Beltré in a game against theKansas City Royals, and the collision resulted in hairline fractures to four of his left ribs. He was put on the 15-daydisabled list on April 20, and he returned to the Red Sox on May 22.[60] He returned to the 15-day DL on May 28 after playing in only three games due to residual soreness in his ribs from the collision with Beltré. He met with a thoracic specialist who advised him that his ribs should be further along in the healing process before he would be able to play.[60] He started a rehab assignment with Lowell on July 26,[61] and rejoined the Red Sox on August 4.[60] Ellsbury returned to the 15-day disabled list on August 14 after re-injuring his ribs in a game against theTexas Rangers.[62] He did not play again in 2010.[63]
During games on August 2 and 3, Ellsbury had walk-off hits in the back-to-back games against theCleveland Indians; a single offVinnie Pestano and a home run offJoe Smith. On August 6, he hit a three-run home run and drove in a career-high six runs in Boston's 10–4 win over theNew York Yankees. On September 25, he hit two home runs during the first game of a doubleheader against the Yankees to become the first member of the Boston Red Sox to join the30–30 club.[64]
Ellsbury finished the season with career highs in home runs (32), hits (212), RBIs (105), runs (119), and batting average (.321).[65] He also led the American League inpower-speed number (35.2),total bases (364), andextra-base hits (83).[66][67][68] He won his firstGold Glove Award, and finished as one of only two qualifying players to complete the season with a 1.000fielding percentage. Jacoby was awarded aSilver Slugger Award for his hitting, joining teammateAdrián González as the only American League players to win both the Gold Glove and Silver Slugger Awards in 2011. Ellsbury was voted theAmerican League Comeback Player of the Year and finished second in the 2011American League Most Valuable Player Award balloting with 242 points, losing toJustin Verlander (280).[69][70][71]
On April 13, 2012, while attempting to slide underTampa Bay Rays shortstopReid Brignac in an attempt to break up a double play, Ellsbury collided with the shortstop. His right shoulder was injured when Brignac fell on top of his exposed shoulder. He was placed on thedisabled list with asubluxation of the shoulder on April 14.[72] He was activated from the DL and returned to the Red Sox lineup on July 13,[73] and finished the season with a .271batting average, fourhome runs, 26RBI, and 14stolen bases in only 74 games played.
Ellsbury set a franchise record for most stolen bases in a game with five on May 30.[74]
In the August 28 game against the Orioles, Ellsbury suffered a compression fracture by fouling a ball off his right foot.[75] He was taken to the Steadman Clinic in Vail, Colo., for treatment from Dr. Thomas Clanton, who cleared him to rejoin the Red Sox lineup on September 25, well ahead of the preliminary prognosis.[76]
Ellsbury turned in a strong performance in the 2013 postseason, batting .500 in the2013 ALDS and .318 in the2013 ALCS. In the2013 World Series, Ellsbury started the eventual series-winning rally in Game 6 with a single and earned his secondWorld Series ring as a member of the Red Sox.[77] Ellsbury's contract expired on October 31, 2013, and he became a free agent for the first time in his career.[78]
On December 3, 2013, Ellsbury and theNew York Yankees agreed in principle to a seven-year, $153 million deal, including an option for an eighth year that could increase the value of the contract to $169 million.[79][80] The contract became official on December 7.[81]
On April 22, 2014, Ellsbury played his first game at Fenway Park since leaving the Red Sox to join the Yankees. He received an ovation of boos from Red Sox fans.[82] In his first season with the Yankees, Ellsbury hit .271 with 16 home runs and 39 stolen bases.[65] He remained healthy for most of the season, playing in 149 games, the third-most games he has ever played in one season. Ellsbury's home run count was the second-highest of his career next to his 2011 season.[83] He also led the American League inpower-speed number (22.7).[66]
Ellsbury had a hot start to 2015, batting .363 up to May 7.[84] On May 20, 2015, Ellsbury was placed on the 15-day disabled list due to a right knee sprain. Prior to the injury, he compiled a .324 batting average in 148 at-bats.[84] After missing nearly two months, Ellsbury returned on July 8, 2015, and had an extremely rough end to the season. He batted .224 in 74 games after he returned from the disabled list and did not start in the2015 American League Wild Card Game, losing his job in favor ofChris Young.[85] He ended the underwhelming season hitting .257/.318/.345 with seven home runs and 21 stolen bases in 111 games.[86]
On April 22, 2016, Ellsbury executed a straight steal of home againstMatt Moore of theTampa Bay Rays during a full count, tying the game at 3.[87] It marked the first time a Yankee successfully stole home sinceChris Young did so in 2014 as part of a double steal, and the first straight steal of home sinceDerek Jeter in 2001. It was Ellsbury's second career steal of home; the first occurred in 2009 againstAndy Pettitte and the Yankees.[88] On June 8, Ellsbury hit the highest home run of the MLB season against theLos Angeles Angels, reaching a recorded 151 feet in the air. On July 20, Ellsbury reached base viacatcher's interference for the ninth time in the season, setting a new single-season MLB record. The record had previously belonged toRoberto Kelly, who reached base eight times on catcher's interference in 1992.[89] Ellsbury would end the season with 12 catcher's interferences.[90] Ellsbury played in 148 games in 2016. While he remained fully healthy, the 2016 season was another underwhelming one for Ellsbury offensively, as he hit .263/.330/.374 with nine home runs and 20 stolen bases, the latter being his lowest in a healthy season.[65]
On April 28, 2017, Ellsbury hit his first career grand slam against the Baltimore Orioles in a 14-11 Yankees comeback win. It was also the 100th home run of his career. On May 24, Ellsbury made a superb catch at the center field wall, but also banged his head at the wall, causing him to suffer a concussion. He was placed on the 7-day disabled list the next day.[91][92] On June 10,Joe Girardi stated that Ellsbury had lost his job as the Yankees' starting center fielder toAaron Hicks, who would continue to start even when Ellsbury is healthy.[93] Ellsbury was activated from the disabled list on June 26 after missing 29 games, the same day that Hicks was placed on the 10-day disabled list with an oblique injury.[94] With the rise of rookie outfielderClint Frazier, Ellsbury lost his job again and was relegated to the bench.[95] On his 34th birthday on September 11, Ellsbury reached via catcher's interference for the 30th time in his career, which broke Pete Rose's career record of 29.[96] In 2017, he batted .264/.348/.402 with seven home runs and 22 stolen bases.
On March 19, 2018, the Yankees announced that Ellsbury would not be ready for Opening Day due to a right oblique strain.[97] On April 3, it was revealed that Ellsbury had been diagnosed with a hip ailment.[98] On August 6, he had surgery to repair a tornlabrum in his left hip and was declared to be out for the rest of the 2018 season.[99]
Ellsbury began the 2019 year on the 10-day injured list due to a foot injury.[100] On April 20, he was transferred to the 60-day injured list. It was revealed that he was dealing withplantar fasciitis and a shoulder injury.[101] On September 8, the Yankees ruled Ellsbury out for the season.[102]
Ellsbury was released by the Yankees on November 20, 2019. The team owed Ellsbury's $21 million 2020 salary, together with a $5 million buyout for the 2021 season.[103] The Yankees planned not to pay Ellsbury the money as they claimed that he received unauthorized medical care.[104] Theplayers association was not pleased about this hearing and filed a grievance.[105] Arbiters sided with Ellsbury and the Yankees paid the remaining owed money on his contract.[106] Following Ellsbury's release, sportswriters described his contract as among the worst in Yankees history.[107][108][109]
Ellsbury was raised as a member ofthe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but he and his three brothers stopped attending services when Jacoby was a teenager; as reported inThe Boston Globe in 2008, Ellsbury said, "I try not to get [God] too involved in baseball. What I wish for is good health."[110]
Ellsbury was one of the victims of the $8 billion fraud perpetrated by wealth managerAllen Stanford;[111] although he had some assets frozen, it did not cause him any significant hardship akin to those suffered byJohnny Damon andXavier Nady.[112]
Ellsbury and Kelsey Hawkins married in December 2012,[113] and they have four children.
In 2010, Ellsbury released aZinfandel wine called ZinfandEllsbury through Charity Wines, with 100% of his proceeds donated among three charities: The Navajo Relief Fund, Project Bread: The Walk for Hunger, and Ellsbury Read Project. The wine launched alongside a charity wine by formerBoston Red Sox teammateJosh Beckett, called Chardon-K.[114]
In June 2014, Ellsbury donated $1 million to hisalma mater Oregon State University as part of a $3 million renovation project atGoss Stadium. TheBeavers' new home locker room was named the Jacoby Ellsbury Locker Room in his honor.[115][116]
