| Jason Tyner | |
|---|---|
 Tyner with the Minnesota Twins | |
| Outfielder | |
| Born: (1977-04-23)April 23, 1977 (age 47) Bedford, Texas, U.S. | |
Batted: Left Threw: Left | |
| MLB debut | |
| June 5, 2000, for the New York Mets | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| May 12, 2008, for the Cleveland Indians | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .275 |
| Home runs | 1 |
| Runs batted in | 94 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Jason Renyt Tyner (born April 23, 1977) is a formerMajor League Baseballoutfielder. His MLB career spanned nine seasons from 2000 through 2008 for theNew York Mets (2000),Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2000-2003),Minnesota Twins (2005-2007), andCleveland Indians (2008). He bats and throws left-handed and played all three outfield spots, with the majority of his playing time coming inleft field.
Tyner attendedWest Brook Senior High School inBeaumont, where he was named Beaumont Student Athlete of the Year and was a member of the National Honor Society as a junior and senior. Following high school, he attendedTexas A&M University, graduating in 1998. At A&M, he was named All-Big 12 (along withJason Jennings) and second team All-American in1998. He finished his collegiate career first on A&M's all-time list forhits andstolen bases, was second inbatting average, and third inat-bats. Making the feat even more remarkable was that he set the records in only three seasons. He also made the United States National Team in1997.
Tyner was drafted in the first round (21st overall) of the1998 Major League Baseball draft by theNew York Mets.[1] He signed with the team, earning a $1.07 million signing bonus.[2] Tyner rose quickly through the Mets'minor league system, and was recalled by the Mets on June 5,2000.[3] He made his major league debut that day against theBaltimore Orioles, going 2-for-3 with a sacrifice hit and RBI in the 4–2 loss.[4] He was optioned back to the Triple-ANorfolk Tides on June 26.[5] In 13 games with the Mets, Tyner hit .195 with 5 RBI and astolen base.[6]
On July 28, 2000, Tyner was traded to theTampa Bay Devil Rays along withpitcherPaul Wilson for pitcherRick White and outfielderBubba Trammell.[7] Tyner played in 37 games with the Devil Rays after the trade, batting .241 with 8 RBI and six stolen bases in seven attempts.[6]
In2001, Tyner established himself as a good baserunner, collecting a then club record and personal career best 31 stolen bases. His bat, however, was not nearly as quick as his feet. He hit .280 with 111 hits, only 13 of which went for extra bases. These numbers along with 105 games, 396 at-bats, and 21 RBI are all career highs.[6]
In a crowded Tampa Bay outfield, Tyner's lack of power and plate discipline cost him playing time in2002 and cost him a job in the majors for2003. He was the final out ofDerek Lowe'sno-hitter on April 27, 2002.[8]
Tyner was noted for a failed promotional giveaway by the Devil Rays. The ballclub had arranged to honor him by presenting hisbobblehead to the first 10,000 fans attending a game against theOakland Athletics atTropicana Field on June 2, 2002. The bobbleheads were never distributed because he had been demoted to theDurham Bulls five days prior on May 28. After sitting in storage for a while, they were given to thePinellas County Education Foundation, who distributed them students in their business and commerce program.[9]
On December 8, 2003, Tyner was claimed off waivers by theTexas Rangers.[10] The Rangers released him on April 7,2004.[11]
Tyner signed with theAtlanta Braves as afree agent on April 27, 2004. The Braves released him on July 25, 2004.[6]
Five days after his release from the Braves, Tyner signed with theCleveland Indians.[6] Tyner spent the entire 2004 season with two Triple-A teams, hitting .309 with a home run, 23 stolen bases and 32 RBI in 102 combined games.[12]
Tyner signed with theMinnesota Twins on November 15, 2004.[6] He enjoyed a solid2005 season with the Triple-ARochester Red Wings, batting .286 with a home run, 18 stolen bases and 36 RBI in 133 games.[12] On September 2, Tyner was selected to the active roster as part of the Twins' September call-ups.[13] He batted .321, collecting 18 hits in 56 at bats with 5 RBI in 18 games.[6]
On October 14, 2005, Tyner signed another minor league deal with Minnesota.[6] Tyner returned to the Twins on July 14,2006, due to injuries to outfieldersShannon Stewart andJason Kubel.[14] In his first game back that day, he hit a walk-off single to defeat the Cleveland Indians, 3–2.[15]
Tyner's scrappy play, swift speed, and small ball mentality fit well with much of the Twins' mantra. Nicknamed"The Piranhas" byChicago White Sox managerOzzie Guillén, the Twins came to embrace the term as affirmation of their selfless, aggressive play. Formerly,Luis Castillo, who was traded to the New York Mets on July 30,2007,Jason Bartlett, who was traded to theTampa Bay Rays in late November 2007, andNick Punto who left for theSt. Louis Cardinals via free agency in 2011, were also known by that nickname.[16][17] Tyner hit .312 with 18 RBI in 62 games with Minnesota in 2006.[6] In the2006 American League Division Series, he finished 0-for-6 with two walks and a stolen base in two games as the Twins went on to lose the series in a sweep to theOakland Athletics.[18]
Tyner finished the 2007 season batting .281 with a home run, 22 RBI and eight stolen bases in 114 games.[6]
On February 21,2008, Tyner signed a minor league deal with theCleveland Indians.[19] On May 11, Tyner's contract was bought from the Triple-ABuffalo Bisons.[20] Five days later, on May 16, Cleveland designated Tyner for assignment.[21] The Indians released him on July 24.[6]
Tyner signed with theChicago White Sox on July 26, 2008. He became a free agent at the end of the 2008 season.[6]
Tyner signed a minor league contract with theHouston Astros on January 16,2009. He was released during spring training.[6]
Tyner signed a minor league contract with theMilwaukee Brewers in March 2009.[22]
On April 22, 2009, Tyner was traded to theDetroit Tigers.[23] The Tigers released Tyner on June 15, 2009.[24]
Prior to 2004, Tyner had a severehome run drought until he hit one in a minor league game inRichmond in 2004.
Tyner finally hit his first (and only) major league home run against the Cleveland Indians on July 28, 2007, againstJake Westbrook. This home run came after 1,220 major league at bats in 390 career games and traveled 352 feet. At the time, Tyner had the longest home run drought in the major leagues. When he hit the home run, ex-teammate Luis Castillo took over the major league lead for a home run drought, not having hit one in 612 at-bats.[25]
Of MLB players who made their debut in 2000 or later, Tyner has the most at bats with exactly one career home run.[26]
Tyner is married to his high school sweetheart, Annie. The couple have three daughters; Payton, Presley and Parker. They also have a son, Reid.[27]
Tyner awards $1,500 scholarships to southeastTexas scholar-athletes under the Juliet Tyner Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The foundation was created in honor of his mother, who died frombreast cancer in 1998.
Along with formerPittsburgh Pirates minor leaguer Morgan Walker, Tyner operates the Southeast Texas Baseball Academy, which runs baseball programs for 8–12-year-olds.[28]