| Chris Stewart | |
|---|---|
 Stewart with the Pittsburgh Pirates | |
| Catcher | |
| Born: (1982-02-19)February 19, 1982 (age 43) Fontana, California, U.S. | |
Batted: Right Threw: Right | |
| MLB debut | |
| September 6, 2006, for the Chicago White Sox | |
| Last MLB appearance | |
| September 25, 2018, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| MLB statistics | |
| Batting average | .230 |
| Home runs | 9 |
| Runs batted in | 90 |
Stats atBaseball Reference  | |
| Teams | |
Christopher David Stewart (born February 19, 1982) is an American former professionalbaseballcatcher. He played inMajor League Baseball (MLB) for theChicago White Sox,Texas Rangers,New York Yankees,San Diego Padres,San Francisco Giants,Pittsburgh Pirates,Atlanta Braves, andArizona Diamondbacks.
Born inFontana, California, Stewart attendedCanyon Springs High School inMoreno Valley, California. After graduating high school in 2000, Stewart attendedRiverside Community College for one season before turning professional. During his freshman season at Riverside, Stewart hit .361 with a .509 slugging percentage.[1]
TheChicago White Sox selected Stewart in the 12th round of the2001 Major League Baseball Draft.[2] He signed with the White Sox that year on August 18.[3] Stewart began his professional career in 2002 with the Chicago White Sox rookie-level affiliate, theBristol White Sox of theAppalachian League. With Bristol, Stewartbatted .278 with 25runs, 44hits, ninedoubles, onehome run and 12runs batted in (RBIs). On defense that season, Stewart committed eighterrors in 377total chances. During the 2003 season, Stewart was assigned to theWinston-Salem Warthogs of the Class-A AdvancedCarolina League.
In 2004, Stewart split his time, first playing Triple-A ball with theCharlotte Knights of theInternational League and then Double-A baseball with theBirmingham Barons of theSouthern League. Stewart stayed with the Barons for the 2005 minor league baseball season. In 2006, Stewart was promoted back up to Triple-A with the Charlotte Knights and put on the White Sox's 40-man roster and made his Major League debut on September 6, 2006.[4]
Stewart appeared in four games for the White Sox before making his first start on September 27, 2006. In his 8 major leagueat bats, Stewart had nohits and twostrikeouts.
Stewart was traded to theTexas Rangers on January 12, 2007, for minor league pitcher John Lujan.[5]
After showing solid defensive skills inspring training, Stewart beat out veteranMiguel Ojeda for the Rangers backup catcher job, and started the season on the major league roster. On June 9, 2007, the Rangers optioned Stewart to Triple-A after acquiringAdam Melhuse in a trade. Stewart went to 2008spring training with the Rangers before being released on March 27, 2008.[6]
On April 3, 2008, Stewart signed a minor league contract with theNew York Yankees and was assigned to their Triple-A affiliate, theScranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.[7] He was called up following the injury to Yankee catcherJorge Posada on April 28, 2008. He was sent down after only appearing in one game on April 30, afterChad Moeller cleared waivers and re-joined the team. Stewart was designated for assignment on June 30 to make room on the roster forBrett Gardner and later outrighted to the minors.[8]
Stewart became a free agent after the season and re-signed with the Chicago White Sox.[9]
On March 22, 2009, Stewart returned to the Yankees by being traded for aplayer to be named later (PTBNL).[10]
Stewart signed a minor league contract with theSan Diego Padres on December 22, 2009. Stewart was called up to join the Padres on September 1, 2010. He wasdesignated for assignment by the Padres on October 6,[11] he was outrighted to the minors but he refused the assignment and became a free agent.
Stewart signed with theSan Francisco Giants for the 2011 season. They called him up to the majors on May 26 afterBuster Posey was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a fractured bone in his lower left leg.[12] On August 9, 2011, he hit his first big-league home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates'James McDonald.[13]
The New York Yankees traded for Stewart on April 4, 2012, in exchange for relieverGeorge Kontos.[14] He served as the backup toRussell Martin for the 2012 season, withFrancisco Cervelli playing in Triple-A.[15]
Before the start of the 2013 season, Yankees'managerJoe Girardi estimated Stewart would play in 60 games; he played in over 100.[16] On July 20, 2013, against the rival Red Sox, Stewart turned one of the more memorable double plays of the year. WithDaniel Nava on first,Dustin Pedroia popped up behind home plate. Stewart threw his mask off and dived into the stands to make a spectacular catch, nearly toppling over. Noticing that Nava started to run for second, Stewart quickly regained balance and threw a laser to the second baseman to throw out Nava. Stewart's efforts helped secure a 5–2 victory for the Yankees.[17]
On December 2, 2013, the Yankees traded Stewart to thePittsburgh Pirates for cash or a player to be named later.[18] Stewart resigned with the Pirates on a two-year deal with a team option for 2018, worth a potential $4.25 million on January 19, 2016.[19] On November 3, 2017, the Pirates declined his 2018 option.[20]
Stewart signed a one-year contract with theAtlanta Braves on February 14, 2018.[21] He was designated for assignment on April 4, 2018.[22] On August 22, Stewart's contract was selected by the Braves to temporarily act as the back-up forTyler Flowers asKurt Suzuki suffered a contusion near his elbow.[23][24] Stewart was later designated for assignment again on August 26.[25]
On August 30, Stewart was traded to theArizona Diamondbacks for cash considerations.[26]
On January 24, 2019, Stewart signed a minor league deal with theSan Diego Padres.[27] He was released on June 9.[28]
Stewart announced his retirement from professional baseball on July 12, 2019.[29]
Stewart has a reputation as an excellent defensive catcher. He contributes to the team with his ability to frame pitches, which saves his team runs.[30] Stewart also excels at throwing out potential base stealers; in 2011 with the Giants Stewart caught 39% of base stealers and in 2013 with the Yankees, Stewart caught 31% of base stealers.[31]
Stewart and his wife, Lindsey, have two children; a son, Sebastian Carter, and a daughter, Brooklyn Jean.[32] He is represented by Arizona-based sports and entertainment attorney, Jim Kuzmich.[33]
