Eric Munson
Encyclopedia
Eric Walter Munson is a former Major League Baseball
catcher
who currently plays for the Bridgeport Bluefish
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
. He was the third overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft
by the Detroit Tigers
, behind Josh Hamilton and Josh Beckett
. He is of no relation to former major league catcher Thurman Munson
.
and Morgan Ensberg
. He graduated from San Diego's Mount Carmel High School
where he played baseball with New York Yankees
third baseman Eric Chavez
.
by the Atlanta Braves, who chose him 62nd overall in the 2nd round. Munson however did not sign, opting to play college baseball at the University of Southern California
, where he was named Freshman All-American. After three seasons at USC, Munson was drafted third overall in the 1st round of the 1999
amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers
. The Tigers were able to sign Munson with a $3.50 million signing bonus, a team record until Rick Porcello
was signed for $3.58 million in 2007. Despite playing the catcher
position in high school and college, the Tigers had drafted Munson mostly for his hitting skills, and the decision was made to shift him to first base. Although his batting average was merely average (.260s), Munson hit for power in the minor leagues, and was named to the Midwest League
All Star Team in 1999 and the Eastern League All Star Team in 2001
. In 2002
, while playing for the Toledo Mud Hens
, Munson was named the Detroit Tigers Minor League Player of the Year.
, making his first appearances in three games during a September call-up in 2000
. He also made September appearances in 2001 and 2002. During spring training
prior to the 2003
season, Munson was asked to try the third base
position, as the Tigers had previously acquired Carlos Pena
and Dmitri Young
, both of whom were slated to play first base or designated hitter
. The club's regular third baseman, Dean Palmer
, was dealing with numerous injuries and would not be available. Munson would go on to play in 91 games at third and commit 19 errors for a .920 fielding percentage, eventually losing playing time to utilityman Shane Halter
. On June 26, 2004, he hit the longest home run in the history of Comerica Park
off Arizona Diamondbacks
pitcher Brandon Villafuerte
. The ball traveled an estimated 457 feet over the center field fence. During the same year, Brandon Inge
began to play third base, among other positions, and the Tigers chose to grant Munson free agency
. He signed with the Minnesota Twins
in early 2005
, but was released during spring training. Munson soon thereafter signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
' top affiliate, the Durham Bulls
, where he again played first base. Munson also appeared in 11 games for the Devil Rays.
. With Houston, he has backed up Brad Ausmus
at catcher, the position he played in college at USC. On August 20, 2006, Munson was designated for assignment
by the Astros and he accepted a demotion to their Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express
, in the Pacific Coast League
. He returned to Houston when the major league rosters expanded in September. Munson again signed a minor league contract with the Express for 2007
, and began the season in the minors. Due to the injury to Astros catcher Héctor Giménez
, Munson was recalled to the major league roster on June 2, 2007.
. There, he split his time between first base and catcher. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
on March 27, 2009 and has reported to the Athletics' Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats
. On September 11, 2009, Munson's contract was purchased from triple-A and he joined the A's as a September call-up. In October 2009 Munson Was Granted Free Agency.
.
On July 6, 2010, Portland Beavers
released Munson.
of the independent Atlantic League
.
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
who currently plays for the Bridgeport Bluefish
Bridgeport Bluefish
The Bridgeport Bluefish is an American professional baseball team based in Bridgeport, Connecticut. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
The Atlantic League of Professional Baseball is a professional, independent baseball organization located primarily in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern United States, especially the greater metropolitan areas of the Northeast megalopolis. It operates in cities not served by Major or Minor League...
. He was the third overall pick in the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft
1999 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1999...
by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, behind Josh Hamilton and Josh Beckett
Josh Beckett
Joshua Patrick Beckett is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. During his career in the playoffs, he won the 2003 World Series MVP Award with the Florida Marlins, and received the 2007 ALCS MVP award with the Red Sox.-Florida Marlins :A...
. He is of no relation to former major league catcher Thurman Munson
Thurman Munson
Thurman Lee Munson was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played his entire 11-year career for the New York Yankees...
.
College career
Munson attended USC with former Astros teammates Jason LaneJason Lane
Jason Dean Lane is a Major League Baseball outfielder in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He was drafted out of the sixth round in . Lane graduated from El Molino High School in Forestville, California in 1995...
and Morgan Ensberg
Morgan Ensberg
Morgan Paul Ensberg is a former infielder in Major League Baseball. Ensberg bats and throws right-handed...
. He graduated from San Diego's Mount Carmel High School
Mount Carmel High School (San Diego, California)
Mt. Carmel High School , a California Distinguished High School in 2005, is located in Rancho Peñasquitos, a community of San Diego, California, United States. The school belongs to the Poway Unified School District and its mascot is the Sundevil. The current principal is Dawn Kastner. She was...
where he played baseball with New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
third baseman Eric Chavez
Eric Chavez
Eric Cesar Chavez is an American Major League Baseball infielder. Chavez has played for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...
.
Minor leagues
Munson was first drafted out of high school in 19961996 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves ; John Wetteland, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Bernie Williams**American League Division Series*National League Championship Series MVP: Javy López...
by the Atlanta Braves, who chose him 62nd overall in the 2nd round. Munson however did not sign, opting to play college baseball at the University of Southern California
University of Southern California
The University of Southern California is a private, not-for-profit, nonsectarian, research university located in Los Angeles, California, United States. USC was founded in 1880, making it California's oldest private research university...
, where he was named Freshman All-American. After three seasons at USC, Munson was drafted third overall in the 1st round of the 1999
1999 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: New York Yankees over Atlanta Braves ; Mariano Rivera, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Orlando Hernández**American League Division Series:*National League Championship Series MVP: Eddie Pérez...
amateur draft by the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. The Tigers were able to sign Munson with a $3.50 million signing bonus, a team record until Rick Porcello
Rick Porcello
Frederick Alfred "Rick" Porcello III is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball....
was signed for $3.58 million in 2007. Despite playing the catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
position in high school and college, the Tigers had drafted Munson mostly for his hitting skills, and the decision was made to shift him to first base. Although his batting average was merely average (.260s), Munson hit for power in the minor leagues, and was named to the Midwest League
Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Class-A minor league baseball league which operates in the Midwestern United States.-History:Six teams – the Belleville Stags, the Centralia Cubs, the Marion Indians, the Mattoon Indians or East Frankfort White Sox, the Mount Vernon Braves, and the West Frankfort...
All Star Team in 1999 and the Eastern League All Star Team in 2001
2001 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Arizona Diamondbacks*Postseason - October 9 to November 4Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
. In 2002
2002 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Anaheim Angels*Postseason - October 1 to October 27Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
, while playing for the Toledo Mud Hens
Toledo Mud Hens
The Toledo Mud Hens are a minor league baseball team located in Toledo, Ohio. The Mud Hens play in the International League, and are affiliated with the major league baseball team the Detroit Tigers, based approximately 50 miles to the north of Toledo. The current team is one of several...
, Munson was named the Detroit Tigers Minor League Player of the Year.
Detroit Tigers
Munson began his major league career with the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
, making his first appearances in three games during a September call-up in 2000
2000 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - New York Yankees*Postseason - October 3 to October 26Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
. He also made September appearances in 2001 and 2002. During spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
prior to the 2003
2003 in baseball
-Headline event of the year:*The Florida Marlins become World Series champions, holding off a dynastic New York Yankees team, 4 games to 2.-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion - Florida Marlins...
season, Munson was asked to try the third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
position, as the Tigers had previously acquired Carlos Pena
Carlos Peña
Carlos Felipe Peña is a Dominican professional baseball left-handed first baseman. He played previously with the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.Although he was born in Santo Domingo and his family is from San Francisco de Macorís,...
and Dmitri Young
Dmitri Young
Dmitri Dell Young is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. Young is 6'2" and 275 pounds...
, both of whom were slated to play first base or designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
. The club's regular third baseman, Dean Palmer
Dean Palmer
Dean William Palmer is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who had a 14-year career from 1989 to 2003...
, was dealing with numerous injuries and would not be available. Munson would go on to play in 91 games at third and commit 19 errors for a .920 fielding percentage, eventually losing playing time to utilityman Shane Halter
Shane Halter
Shane David Halter is a former Major League Baseball infielder/outfielder and right-handed batter.-High school years:...
. On June 26, 2004, he hit the longest home run in the history of Comerica Park
Comerica Park
Comerica Park is an open-air ballpark located in downtown Detroit, Michigan. It serves as the home of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball's American League, replacing historic Tiger Stadium in 2000....
off Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
pitcher Brandon Villafuerte
Brandon Villafuerte
Brandon Paul Villafuerte is a professional baseball pitcher currently playing for the Edmonton Capitals of the North American Baseball League...
. The ball traveled an estimated 457 feet over the center field fence. During the same year, Brandon Inge
Brandon Inge
Charles Brandon Inge is an American professional baseball infielder for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
began to play third base, among other positions, and the Tigers chose to grant Munson free agency
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
. He signed with the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
in early 2005
2005 in baseball
-Headline events of the year:*Chicago White Sox swept the Houston Astros to win the 2005 World Series.*2005 also marked the inaugural season of the Washington Nationals, who relocated from Montreal and were formerly known as the Expos....
, but was released during spring training. Munson soon thereafter signed with the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
' top affiliate, the Durham Bulls
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a minor league baseball team that currently plays in the International League. The Bulls play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park located in the downtown area of Durham, North Carolina. Durham Bulls Athletic Park is often called the "DBAP" or "D-Bap". The Bulls are...
, where he again played first base. Munson also appeared in 11 games for the Devil Rays.
Houston Astros
Prior to the 2006 season, Munson was signed as a minor league free agent by the Houston AstrosHouston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. With Houston, he has backed up Brad Ausmus
Brad Ausmus
Bradley David "Brad" Ausmus is a former All Star catcher in Major League Baseball, and currently a special assistant for the San Diego Padres....
at catcher, the position he played in college at USC. On August 20, 2006, Munson was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Astros and he accepted a demotion to their Triple-A affiliate, the Round Rock Express
Round Rock Express
The Round Rock Express is a class Triple-A Pacific Coast League minor league baseball team in Round Rock, Texas, owned by RSR Sports and founded by Reid Ryan, son of Baseball Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan. The team is affiliated with the Texas Rangers, for whom Nolan Ryan serves as the president and...
, in the Pacific Coast League
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
. He returned to Houston when the major league rosters expanded in September. Munson again signed a minor league contract with the Express for 2007
2007 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion – [Boston Red Sox]*Postseason – October 2 to October 28Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
, and began the season in the minors. Due to the injury to Astros catcher Héctor Giménez
Héctor Giménez
Héctor Eliner Giménez [Ec-tor he-MEH-nes] is a catcher in Major League Baseball. Giménez is a switch hitter and throws right-handed.-Houston Astros:...
, Munson was recalled to the major league roster on June 2, 2007.
Milwaukee Brewers
Munson was claimed off waivers by the Brewers on October 15, 2007. On March 26, he was sent outright to the Brewers' Triple-A club in NashvilleNashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
. There, he split his time between first base and catcher. He became a free agent at the end of the season.
Oakland Athletics
Munson signed a minor league deal with the Oakland AthleticsOakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
on March 27, 2009 and has reported to the Athletics' Triple-A affiliate, the Sacramento River Cats
Sacramento River Cats
The Sacramento River Cats is a minor league baseball team based in Sacramento, California. The team plays in the Pacific Coast League and is the Triple-A affiliate of Major League Baseball's Oakland Athletics....
. On September 11, 2009, Munson's contract was purchased from triple-A and he joined the A's as a September call-up. In October 2009 Munson Was Granted Free Agency.
San Diego Padres
On February 25, 2010, Munson signed a minor league contract with the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
.
On July 6, 2010, Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
released Munson.
Newark Bears
In August 2010, Munson signed to play for the Newark BearsNewark Bears
The Newark Bears are an American professional baseball team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are a member of the Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. Since the 1999 season, the Bears have played their home games at Bears &...
of the independent Atlantic League
Atlantic League
Atlantic League may refer to one of the following professional sports leagues:* Atlantic League , a professional baseball league active from 1896 to 1900* Atlantic League , a professional baseball league active in 1914...
.