| Michael Tucker | |
|---|---|
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1971-06-25)June 25, 1971 (age 54) South Boston, Virginia, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| April 26, 1995, for the Kansas City Royals | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| October 1, 2006, for the New York Mets | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .256 |
| Home runs | 125 |
| Runs batted in | 528 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Michael Anthony Tucker (born June 25, 1971) is an American formerMajor League Baseballoutfielder andfirst baseman. Tucker played with theKansas City Royals (1995-1996,2002-2003),Atlanta Braves (1997-1998),Cincinnati Reds (1999-2001),Chicago Cubs (2001),San Francisco Giants (2004-2005),Philadelphia Phillies (2005) andNew York Mets (2006). He battedleft-handed and threwright-handed.[1][2]
He attended the thenLongwood College (at the time anNCAA Division II school) from 1989 through 1992. In November 2005, Tucker was among the selection of Longwood's first Hall of Fame class, includingbasketball playerJerome Kersey andLPGAgolferTina Barrett.
After college, Tucker begin his pro baseball career in the minors in1993. Tucker spent most of the 1993 season with the Single-ACarolina LeagueWilmington Blue Rocks. Before making the move up to Double-A and spending time with theMemphis Chicks of theSouthern League. In1994, Tucker played in Triple-A with theOmaha Royals of theAmerican Association before joining Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Royals.
Tucker made his Major League debut for the Royals at age 23 on April 26, 1995. Starting in left field and batting leadoff, Tucker singled in his first big-league at-bat against pitcherMike Mussina in a 5-1 win over theBaltimore Orioles.[3] Before the 1997 season, Tucker was traded to the Braves along withKeith Lockhart in exchange for outfielderJermaine Dye and pitcherJamie Walker.
Tucker enjoyed his most productive season in 1997 with the Braves, when he posted career highs inbatting average (.283),runs (80) andhits (141) in 138 games. In 2004, for the Giants, he played 106 games in right field and 25 incenter. He ended the year with a .256 average, 13home runs, 62RBI, 77 runs, and a .340on-base percentage. In nine of his 10 seasons, he collected 11 or more home runs, with a career-high 15 in2000. Tucker hit the first regular season home run atTurner Field offKevin Foster in the third inning of the Braves' 5-4 victory over theChicago Cubs on April 4, 1997.[4]
In August 2005, San Francisco traded Tucker to the Philadelphia Phillies forminor leaguer Kelvin Pichardo. Tucker, whose playing time had been limited that season after starting for most of 2004, joined a Phillies team in the heart of the playoff chase.
On January 9, 2006, Tucker agreed to a one-year contract with theWashington Nationals. On August 9, Tucker's contract was purchased by the New York Mets from the Triple-ANorfolk Tides afterCliff Floyd was placed on the15-Day DL. On May 17,2007, Tucker signed a minor league contract with theBoston Red Sox, but was released on July 7 of the same year.[5]
In 2009, Tucker came back to baseball by signing with theNewark Bears of the Atlantic League. He was inactivated, after playing 12 games hitting .231 and considered retirement in May 2009. But Tucker signed with the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs on July 15, 2009 and, in 57 games, he hit .332.
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