Gordon Beckham
Encyclopedia
James Gordon Beckham III (born September 16, 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia
) is a baseball
infielder, who plays for the Chicago White Sox
.
(like his father, Gordon Beckham Jr., who went on to play quarterback for the University of South Carolina
). His mother also attended the University of South Carolina
, where she was a cheerleader for both football and basketball. In 2004, Gordon led the Westminster Wildcats to their first and only undefeated season, breaking his father's single-season record for touchdown passes by one in the process. Beckham was given 1st Team All-State honors as both a junior for Free-Safety and then as a senior for Quarterback. He played under coach Gerry Romberg. Beckham was an honorary member of the Chi Phi Fraternity while attending the University of Georgia. Gordon also has two younger sisters, Gwen (22), and Grace (19).
, helping to lead the University of Georgia
Bulldogs
to the College World Series
. He was named a Freshman All-American that year. As a sophomore, he started all 56 games that Georgia played. As a junior, he was the only unanimous selection to the All-SEC First Team and was selected as the SEC Player of the Year. He was also selected as an All-American, an Academic All-American, a Finalist for the NCAA Player of the Year and a Finalist for the Golden Spikes Award
. He led the NCAA in home runs that year, setting the school's single season home run record (26) and tied the school record for most home runs in a career (51) against NC State on June 8, 2008 in the deciding third game of the Super Regionals that sent Georgia to the College World Series. The home run came on his last at-bat at his home Foley Field, after which he received a curtain call. On June 25, 2008 with his last at bat as a college player, Beckham tied Matt Clark of LSU as the 2008 season home run leader (28). He finished college with 53 home runs, the most ever by a player at the University of Georgia.
by the Chicago White Sox
. Considered the number 1 rated prospect in the Chicago White Sox system at the start of the 2009 season according to Baseball America
, Beckham played in the Arizona Fall League
for the Peoria Saguaros
. He lit up the AFL, hitting .394 with 3 HRs and a .468 OBP in 66 at-bats. He continued to impress in Spring Training, hitting .270 with 2 HR and 6 RBI in 37 at-bats. He forced his way into contention for the Sox' 25-man opening day roster, but it was eventually decided that he should start the season at the Sox' Double-A affiliate, the Birmingham Barons
. After batting .299 over 38 games with the Barons, Beckham was promoted to Class AAA Charlotte Knights
on May 27, 2009 and switched from his natural position at shortstop to third base. This was seen as a clear indication that he was being prepared for a Major League call-up, as White Sox third baseman Josh Fields was struggling at the plate and on defense.
Conor Gillaspie
, to make his MLB debut when, on June 4, 2009, he started at third base for the White Sox against the Oakland Athletics
. In his debut Beckham went 0-3 with a strikeout
and reached on a fielder's choice
. He became the Sox' everyday starting third baseman, due to Josh Fields, and utility infielder Wilson Betemit
's inadequacies at the plate and on defense. He struggled initially in the Major Leagues, going 2-for-28 over his first eight games. He got his first MLB hit, a single to center field, in his 14th at-bat on June 9, 2009 at U.S. Cellular Field
, after which he received a standing ovation from the home crowd. On June 20, 2009, Beckham hit his first major league home run, a three-run shot in the fourth inning of the annual MLB Civil Rights Game
, off Cincinnati Reds
starting pitcher Johnny Cueto
. Beckham's milestone home run came while the Reds were ahead 5-0, and sparked a comeback victory for the Sox. On June 27, 2009, Beckham hit a walk-off single with two men on and two out in the bottom of the 9th inning against the crosstown rival Chicago Cubs
, his first walk-off hit. On June 29, 2009, Beckham went 3 for 3 with a walk and 2 RBIs as the Sox beat the Cleveland Indians
6 to 3. Beckham uses The Outfield
's hit song Your Love
as his walk-up song as he did at The University of Georgia.
On October 20, 2009, Beckham was named the Sporting News' 2009 American League Rookie of the Year, as selected by a panel of 338 major league players, 22 managers and 31 general managers and assistant general managers. On October 26, 2009 Beckham was voted the American League Rookie of the Year by the MLBPA, which is voted on in September by every player on a major league roster.
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
) is a baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
infielder, who plays for the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
Personal life
Growing up in Atlanta, Gordon Beckham played quarterback and free safety for The Westminster SchoolsThe Westminster Schools
The Westminster Schools is a private school in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1951 and tracing its origins to 1878, Westminster has the largest endowment of any non-boarding school in the United States...
(like his father, Gordon Beckham Jr., who went on to play quarterback for the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
). His mother also attended the University of South Carolina
University of South Carolina
The University of South Carolina is a public, co-educational research university located in Columbia, South Carolina, United States, with 7 surrounding satellite campuses. Its historic campus covers over in downtown Columbia not far from the South Carolina State House...
, where she was a cheerleader for both football and basketball. In 2004, Gordon led the Westminster Wildcats to their first and only undefeated season, breaking his father's single-season record for touchdown passes by one in the process. Beckham was given 1st Team All-State honors as both a junior for Free-Safety and then as a senior for Quarterback. He played under coach Gerry Romberg. Beckham was an honorary member of the Chi Phi Fraternity while attending the University of Georgia. Gordon also has two younger sisters, Gwen (22), and Grace (19).
College
As a freshman in 2006, Beckham started all 81 games at shortstopShortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
, helping to lead the University of Georgia
University of Georgia
The University of Georgia is a public research university located in Athens, Georgia, United States. Founded in 1785, it is the oldest and largest of the state's institutions of higher learning and is one of multiple schools to claim the title of the oldest public university in the United States...
Bulldogs
Georgia Bulldogs baseball
The Georgia Bulldogs baseball team represents the University of Georgia in NCAA Division I college baseball.Along with most other Georgia athletic teams, the baseball team participates in the Eastern division of the Southeastern Conference...
to the College World Series
College World Series
The College World Series or CWS is an annual baseball tournament held in Omaha, Nebraska that is the culmination of the NCAA Division I Baseball Championship, which determines the NCAA Division I college baseball champion. The eight teams are split into two, four-team, double-elimination brackets,...
. He was named a Freshman All-American that year. As a sophomore, he started all 56 games that Georgia played. As a junior, he was the only unanimous selection to the All-SEC First Team and was selected as the SEC Player of the Year. He was also selected as an All-American, an Academic All-American, a Finalist for the NCAA Player of the Year and a Finalist for the Golden Spikes Award
Golden Spikes Award
The Golden Spikes Award is awarded annually to the best amateur baseball player. It is awarded by USA Baseball and sponsored by the Major League Baseball Players Association. Though the award can be presented to any amateur player, it has always been given to a college baseball player.-Past...
. He led the NCAA in home runs that year, setting the school's single season home run record (26) and tied the school record for most home runs in a career (51) against NC State on June 8, 2008 in the deciding third game of the Super Regionals that sent Georgia to the College World Series. The home run came on his last at-bat at his home Foley Field, after which he received a curtain call. On June 25, 2008 with his last at bat as a college player, Beckham tied Matt Clark of LSU as the 2008 season home run leader (28). He finished college with 53 home runs, the most ever by a player at the University of Georgia.
Minor Leagues
Beckham was selected eighth overall in the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft2008 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2008 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft continued Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 5 and 6, 2008.-First round selections:* Did not sign...
by the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. Considered the number 1 rated prospect in the Chicago White Sox system at the start of the 2009 season according to Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
, Beckham played in the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
for the Peoria Saguaros
Peoria Saguaros
The Surprise Saguaros are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. They play their home games at Surprise Stadium in Surprise, Arizona....
. He lit up the AFL, hitting .394 with 3 HRs and a .468 OBP in 66 at-bats. He continued to impress in Spring Training, hitting .270 with 2 HR and 6 RBI in 37 at-bats. He forced his way into contention for the Sox' 25-man opening day roster, but it was eventually decided that he should start the season at the Sox' Double-A affiliate, the Birmingham Barons
Birmingham Barons
The Birmingham Barons are a minor league baseball team based in Birmingham, Alabama. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox major-league club....
. After batting .299 over 38 games with the Barons, Beckham was promoted to Class AAA Charlotte Knights
Charlotte Knights
The Charlotte Knights are a minor league baseball team representing Charlotte, North Carolina. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox of the American League...
on May 27, 2009 and switched from his natural position at shortstop to third base. This was seen as a clear indication that he was being prepared for a Major League call-up, as White Sox third baseman Josh Fields was struggling at the plate and on defense.
Chicago White Sox
On June 3, 2009, the White Sox purchased Beckham's contract, adding him to the major league roster after he had hit .326 with 23 doubles, four home runs and 25 RBI in 175 at-bats between Double-A Birmingham and Triple-A Charlotte. Thus, Beckham reached the Majors 364 days after he was selected by the White Sox. He became the second position player from his draft class, behind the Giants'San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
Conor Gillaspie
Conor Gillaspie
Conor Michael Gillaspie is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the San Francisco Giants.-Baseball career:...
, to make his MLB debut when, on June 4, 2009, he started at third base for the White Sox against the Oakland Athletics
Oakland 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....
. In his debut Beckham went 0-3 with a strikeout
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
and reached on a fielder's choice
Fielder's choice
In baseball, fielder's choice is a term used to refer to a variety of plays involving an offensive player reaching a base due to the defense's attempt to put out another baserunner, or the defensive team's indifference to his advance...
. He became the Sox' everyday starting third baseman, due to Josh Fields, and utility infielder Wilson Betemit
Wilson Betemit
Wilson Betemit is a Dominican professional baseball infielder. He is 6'2" and weighs 220 pounds...
's inadequacies at the plate and on defense. He struggled initially in the Major Leagues, going 2-for-28 over his first eight games. He got his first MLB hit, a single to center field, in his 14th at-bat on June 9, 2009 at U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field
U.S. Cellular Field is a baseball ballpark in Chicago, Illinois. Owned by the Illinois Sports Facilities Authority, it is the home of the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball's American League. The park opened for the 1991 season, after the White Sox had spent 81 years at old Comiskey Park...
, after which he received a standing ovation from the home crowd. On June 20, 2009, Beckham hit his first major league home run, a three-run shot in the fourth inning of the annual MLB Civil Rights Game
Civil Rights Game
The Civil Rights Game is an annual Major League Baseball game that honors the history of civil rights in the United States and marked the unofficial end to the league's Spring Training. Starting in 2009, the game became a regular season game.The first two games were held at AutoZone Park in...
, off Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
starting pitcher Johnny Cueto
Johnny Cueto
Johnny Brent Cueto [KWAY-toe] is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds.-Minor league career:...
. Beckham's milestone home run came while the Reds were ahead 5-0, and sparked a comeback victory for the Sox. On June 27, 2009, Beckham hit a walk-off single with two men on and two out in the bottom of the 9th inning against the crosstown rival Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, his first walk-off hit. On June 29, 2009, Beckham went 3 for 3 with a walk and 2 RBIs as the Sox beat the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
6 to 3. Beckham uses The Outfield
The Outfield
The Outfield are an arena rock-influenced English pop rock/power pop power trio based in London, England. The Outfield are unusual for a British band in that they enjoyed commercial success in the U.S., but never reached the album or singles charts in their homeland...
's hit song Your Love
Your Love (The Outfield song)
"Your Love" is a song from The Outfield's debut album, Play Deep. It was written by John Frederick Spinks. The song reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 & #7 on the Hot Mainstream Rock Tracks chart in 1986.-Covers:...
as his walk-up song as he did at The University of Georgia.
On October 20, 2009, Beckham was named the Sporting News' 2009 American League Rookie of the Year, as selected by a panel of 338 major league players, 22 managers and 31 general managers and assistant general managers. On October 26, 2009 Beckham was voted the American League Rookie of the Year by the MLBPA, which is voted on in September by every player on a major league roster.