| Michael McKenry | |
|---|---|
 McKenry with theMemphis Redbirds in 2016 | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: (1985-03-04)March 4, 1985 (age 40) Knoxville, Tennessee, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 8, 2010, for the Colorado Rockies | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| July 18, 2016, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .238 |
| Home runs | 29 |
| Runs batted in | 103 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Michael Charles McKenry (born March 4, 1985), nicknamed"The Fort", is an American former professionalbaseballcatcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for thePittsburgh Pirates,Colorado Rockies, andSt. Louis Cardinals.
McKenry attended Cedar Bluff Middle School,Farragut High School, andMiddle Tennessee State University. In 2004, he played summer college baseball with theBethesda Big Train of theCal Ripken Collegiate Baseball League.[1]
McKenry was originally named to the USA roster for the2009 Baseball World Cup,[2] but was injured and replaced byLucas May before the tournament began.[citation needed]
McKenry was drafted by theColorado Rockies in the 7th round of the2006 Major League Baseball Draft. In 2006, he played for theTri-City Dust Devils. In 2007, he played for theAsheville Tourists. In 2008, he played for theModesto Nuts. In January 2009,Baseball America rated McKenry the #9 prospect in theColorado Rockies organization.[3] In 2009, he played for theTulsa Drillers. In 2010, he played for theColorado Springs Sky Sox, before being called up to the Rockies in September. McKenry made his major league debut on September 8, 2010, flying out againstCincinnati Reds pitcherCarlos Fisher in his only at bat. On March 29, 2011, McKenry was traded to theBoston Red Sox for minor league RHP Daniel Turpen.[4]
On March 29, 2011, McKenry was traded to theBoston Red Sox for minor league RHP Daniel Turpen.[4] On June 13, 2011, he was traded to thePittsburgh Pirates for cash or a player to be named later.[5]
On June 13, 2011, he was traded to thePittsburgh Pirates for cash or a player to be named later.[5] McKenry made his debut for the Pirates on June 13 and recorded his first major league hit, a single offHouston Astros starterJ. A. Happ, two days later. He hit his first major league home run on July 8, 2011 against the Chicago Cubs' Carlos Marmol.
On July 26, McKenry was involved in a controversial play against theAtlanta Braves in the bottom of the 19th inning. With runners on the corners,Scott Proctor hit a ground ball toPedro Alvarez, who threw to McKenry, who appeared to tagJulio Lugo out at home. However, home plate umpireJerry Meals called him safe, allowing Lugo to score the walk-off run.
McKenry has been given the nickname "Fort McKenry" or simply "The Fort" by fans and media in Pittsburgh due to his defensive skills behind the plate as the Pirates' catcher and the similarity of his name toFort McHenry, the famous fort inBaltimore known for its role in theWar of 1812.
On April 14, 2013 McKenry posted his first multi-homer game in the major leagues as he hit 2 home runs, rallying the Pirates to a 10-7 win over theCincinnati Reds.[6] On July 30, 2013, McKenry underwent knee surgery to repair a torn meniscus and was ruled out for the rest of the 2013 season.
On December 2, 2013, the Pirates acquiredChris Stewart from theNew York Yankees, and designated McKenry for assignment.[7] He was non-tendered by the Pirates later that day, becoming a free agent.[8]
On January 16, 2014, McKenry signed a minor league contract with theColorado Rockies. On March 20, the Rockies selected McKenry's contract after he made theOpening Day roster asWilin Rosario's backup catcher.[9] In 57 games for the Rockies, he batted .315/.398/.512 with eight home runs and 22 RBI.[10]
McKenry played in 58 games for Colorado in 2015, slashing .205/.329/.402 with four home runs and 17 RBI. On October 14, 2024, McKenry was removed from the 40–man roster and sent outright to the Triple–AAlbuquerque Isotopes; he subsequently rejected the assignment and elected free agency.[11]
On December 30, 2015, McKenry signed a minor league contract with theTexas Rangers. He played in 13 games for the Triple–ARound Rock Express, slashing .220/.389/.342 with no home runs and nine RBI. On May 14, 2016, McKenry opted out of his contract and became a free agent.[12]
On May 27, 2016, McKenry signed a minor league contract with theSt. Louis Cardinals.[13] On July 7, the Cardinals selected McKenry's contract, adding him to their active roster.[14] He logged two plate appearances for St. Louis before he was designated for assignment on July 19.[15] He elected free agency on July 22.
On July 22, 2016, McKenry signed a minor league contract with theAtlanta Braves.[16] In 14 games for the Triple–AGwinnett Braves, he batted .267/.365/.378 with one home run and three RBI.
On August 15, 2016, McKenry was traded to theMilwaukee Brewers in exchange for an unknown return.[17] In 14 games for the Triple–AColorado Springs SkySox, he batted .250/.500/.406 with one home run and six RBI. McKenry elected free agency following the season on November 7.[18]
On December 16, 2016, McKenry signed a minor league contract with theTampa Bay Rays.[19] He spent the 2017 season with the Triple–ADurham Bulls, playing in 74 games and hitting .209/.338/.324 with 4 home runs and 25 RBI. McKenry elected free agency following the season on November 6.[20]
On February 2, 2018, McKenry announced his retirement to join MTSU as the director of player development. On February 9, 2018, thePittsburgh Pirates announced he would serve as a studio analyst on the team's pregame and postgame shows.[21]
McKenry is the son of Cliff and Shelia McKenry.[22] He married his wife, Jaclyn, in 2008.[23]
· Baseball Almanac