| Robert Fick | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Fick with theDetroit Tigers in 2001 | |
| First baseman /Right fielder /Catcher | |
| Born: (1974-03-15)March 15, 1974 (age 51) Torrance, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 19, 1998, for the Detroit Tigers | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 29, 2007, for the Washington Nationals | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .258 |
| Home runs | 69 |
| Runs batted in | 324 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
| Career highlights and awards | |
Robert Charles Fick (born March 15, 1974) is an American formerMajor League Baseballfirst baseman. In 2002, he was named to theAmerican LeagueAll-Star Team.
Theleft-handed batter, who throwsright-handed, attendedVentura College and later transferred toCalifornia State University at Northridge. He was drafted by theDetroit Tigers in the 5th round of the 1996 amateur draft.
Fick made his major league debut with the Tigers in 1998. In the final game ever held atTiger Stadium on September 27, 1999, Fick hit an eighth-inninggrand slam home run against theKansas City Royals.[1] Fick's rooftop blast was the stadium's 11,111th and final home run, as well as the finalhit, finalrun scored and finalRBI.[2] His breakout season came in 2001 when he hit.272 with a career-best 19home runs. Fick had another fine offensive year in 2002, hitting 17 home runs and 36 doubles. He was named to the American League All-Star Team, the lone representative of the last-place Tigers. In 2002, he also led all major leagueright fielders inassists, with 21.
Fick signed with theAtlanta Braves for the 2003 season. He was released at year's end despite setting a career-high with 80RBI. In a coincidental moment to the final Tiger Stadium hit, he also helped provide the final run atVeterans Stadium in Philadelphia on September 28, 2003, when his double in the top of the 5th helpedAndruw Jones to score. He then played for theTampa Bay Devil Rays,San Diego Padres, andWashington Nationals, though never enjoyed the same success.
Fick was inducted into theWest Michigan Whitecaps Hall of Fame in January 2009 and played forItaly in the2009 World Baseball Classic.[3]
Defensively, Fick served as autility player. He started his major league career as acatcher, but eventually played more games as a first baseman and acorner outfielder. He posted a careerbatting average of .258, with 69 home runs and 324 RBI in 846 games over 10 seasons.
Fick's brush with controversy occurred playing for the Atlanta Braves during the 2003 NLDS, when he ran past first base, slapping the catching arm of Cubs' first basemanEric Karros just as Karros was catching a throw. He later admitted that it was done intentionally. Braves upper management fined him $25,000 and managerBobby Cox also fined him an undisclosed additional amount.[4] He was released by the Braves shortly thereafter opening the discussion that the "dirty play" on Karros was partly the reason. The last team he played for was theOrange County Flyers of theGolden Baseball League.
Fick is currently a roving instructor for theLos Angeles Dodgers farm system and was acting manager for theGreat Lakes Loons when managerLuis Matos was serving a two-game suspension in June 2015.[5]
On October 18, 2008, Fick was inducted into theVentura College Athletic Hall of Fame.[6]
Fick is a formerchild actor. During the 1980s, he was an extra inCheers,Who's the Boss?, andWebster. He also did aGatorade commercial when he was 13 years old.[7]
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