Jason Tyner
Encyclopedia
Jason Renyt Tyner is a former Major League Baseball
outfielder
. Tyner stands at 6'1" tall and weighs 175 pounds. He bats and throws left-handed.
in Beaumont
, 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 attended Texas A&M University
, graduating in 1998. At A&M, he was named All-Big 12 (along with Jason Jennings
) and second team All-American in . He finished his collegiate career first on A&M's all-time list for hits
and stolen base
s, was second in batting average
, and third in at-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 in .
' first round draft pick, and twenty-first overall pick in the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
. The outfielder rose quickly through the Mets' minor league
system, making his major league debut on June 5, .
Paul Wilson
for pitcher Rick White
and outfielder Bubba Trammell
.
In , Tyner established himself as a good baserunner, collecting a then club record and personal career best 31 stolen base
s. His bat, however, was not nearly as quick as his feet. Tyner 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.
In a crowded Tampa Bay outfield, Tyner's lack of power and lack of plate discipline cost him playing time in and cost him a job in the majors for .
. The Rangers released him in April .
as a free agent
. The Braves released him in July 2004.
. Tyner failed to make the majors with either Texas, Atlanta, or Cleveland.
in late 2004. After a solid season with the Twins' Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings
, Tyner made it back to the big leagues as a September call-up collecting 18 hits in 56 at-bats. He signed another minor league deal with Minnesota on October 14. Tyner returned to the Twins during the summer of , as a replacement for injured All-Star center fielder
Torii Hunter
. His scrappy play, swift speed, and small ball mentality fit well with much of the Twins' mantra.
Nicknamed "The Piranhas"
by Chicago White Sox
manager Ozzie Guillén
, the Twins came to embrace the term as affirmation of their selfless, aggressive play. None of the original "pirhanas" are still with the Twins. Formerly, Luis Castillo, who was traded to the New York Mets on July 30, , Jason Bartlett, who was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays
in late November 2007, and Nick Punto who left for the St. Louis Cardinals via free agency in 2011, were also known by that nickname.
. On May 11, Tyner's contract was bought from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
by the Indians. Five days later, on May 16, Cleveland designated Tyner for assignment. The Indians released him on July 25.
. He became a free agent at the end of the season
in January . He was released during spring training.
in March.
. The Tigers released Tyner on June 17, 2009.
drought until he hit one in a minor league game in Richmond
in 2004.
Tyner finally hit his first major league home run against the Cleveland Indians on July 28, 2007, against Jake 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.
He awards $1,500 scholarships to southeast Texas
scholar-athletes under the Juliet Tyner Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The foundation was created in honor of his mother who died from breast cancer
in 1998.
Along with former Pittsburgh Pirates
minor leaguer Morgan Walker, Tyner operates the Southeast Texas Baseball Academy, which runs baseball programs for 8–12 year olds.
In November, 2011, in the Guru League, Tyner's "Renyt's Due" fantasy football team was destroyed by Brett Shelander's team, "THE KARODDY KID." Jason reportedly will retire from fantasy football after the season because of this brutal beating.
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...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
. Tyner stands at 6'1" tall and weighs 175 pounds. He bats and throws left-handed.
College and high school
Tyner attended West Brook Senior High SchoolWest Brook Senior High School
West Brook Senior High School is the largest high school in the city of Beaumont, Texas. West Brook is located at 8750 Phelan Boulevard. It is operated by the Beaumont Independent School District.The school's official mascot is the Bruin Bear...
in Beaumont
Beaumont, Texas
Beaumont is a city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Texas, United States, within the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's population was 118,296 at the 2010 census. With Port Arthur and Orange, it forms the Golden Triangle, a major industrial area on the...
, 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 attended Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University
Texas A&M University is a coeducational public research university located in College Station, Texas . It is the flagship institution of the Texas A&M University System. The sixth-largest university in the United States, A&M's enrollment for Fall 2011 was over 50,000 for the first time in school...
, graduating in 1998. At A&M, he was named All-Big 12 (along with Jason Jennings
Jason Jennings
Jason Ryan Jennings is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent.-High school/college years:...
) and second team All-American in . He finished his collegiate career first on A&M's all-time list for hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s, was second in batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, and third in at-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 in .
New York Mets
After three years at Texas A&M, Tyner was the New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
' first round draft pick, and twenty-first overall pick in the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 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, 1998...
. The outfielder rose quickly through the Mets' minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
system, making his major league debut on June 5, .
Tampa Bay Devil Rays
On July 28, 2000 Tyner stint in New York ended quickly though, as he was dealt to the Tampa Bay Devil Rays along with pitcherPitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson (baseball player)
Paul Anthony Wilson is a retired right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Baseball career:Wilson played college baseball for the Florida State University Seminoles under head coach Mike Martin....
for pitcher Rick White
Rick White (baseball player)
Richard Allen White is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. White spent parts of 12 seasons in the majors, working primarily as a relief pitcher. He batted and threw right-handed.-Career summary:...
and outfielder Bubba Trammell
Bubba Trammell
Thomas Bubba Trammell was a Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter. He is an alumnus of the University of Tennessee....
.
In , Tyner established himself as a good baserunner, collecting a then club record and personal career best 31 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. His bat, however, was not nearly as quick as his feet. Tyner 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
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
are all career highs.
In a crowded Tampa Bay outfield, Tyner's lack of power and lack of plate discipline cost him playing time in and cost him a job in the majors for .
Texas Rangers
On December 8, 2003, he was claimed off waivers by the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
. The Rangers released him in April .
Atlanta Braves
Tyner signed with the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
as a free agent
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....
. The Braves released him in July 2004.
Cleveland Indians
Tyner again found a home, this time with the Cleveland IndiansCleveland 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...
. Tyner failed to make the majors with either Texas, Atlanta, or Cleveland.
Minnesota Twins
He resurfaced with the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota 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 late 2004. After a solid season with the Twins' Triple-A affiliate, the Rochester Red Wings
Rochester Red Wings
The Rochester Red Wings are a minor league baseball team based in Rochester, New York. The team plays in the International League and is the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins major-league club. The Red Wings play in Frontier Field, located in downtown Rochester.The Red Wings were an...
, Tyner made it back to the big leagues as a September call-up collecting 18 hits in 56 at-bats. He signed another minor league deal with Minnesota on October 14. Tyner returned to the Twins during the summer of , as a replacement for injured All-Star center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
Torii Hunter
Torii Hunter
Torii Kedar Hunter is a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.Hunter has taken away many home runs throughout his 13-year major league career by "climbing the fence" in the outfield. He has won nine consecutive Gold Glove Awards as an outfielder.Hunter resides...
. His scrappy play, swift speed, and small ball mentality fit well with much of the Twins' mantra.
Nicknamed "The Piranhas"
Piranhas (baseball)
"Piranhas" was a nickname applied to a group of hitters for the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Specifically, the term applied to shortstop Jason Bartlett, third baseman Nick Punto, outfielder Jason Tyner, and second baseman Luis Castillo.Midway through the 2006 season, the Twins opted for a...
by 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...
manager Ozzie Guillén
Ozzie Guillén
Oswaldo José "Ozzie" Guillén Barrios is a Venezuelan-American former Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Miami Marlins. He managed the Chicago White Sox from 2004 to 2011 before asking for his release at the end of the 2011 season....
, the Twins came to embrace the term as affirmation of their selfless, aggressive play. None of the original "pirhanas" are still with the Twins. Formerly, Luis Castillo, who was traded to the New York Mets on July 30, , Jason Bartlett, who was traded to the Tampa Bay 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...
in late November 2007, and Nick Punto who left for the St. Louis Cardinals via free agency in 2011, were also known by that nickname.
Cleveland Indians Again
On February 21, , Tyner signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland IndiansCleveland 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...
. On May 11, Tyner's contract was bought from the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
by the Indians. Five days later, on May 16, Cleveland designated Tyner for assignment. The Indians released him on July 25.
Chicago White Sox
Tyner signed with the Chicago White SoxChicago 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...
. He became a free agent at the end of the season
Houston Astros
Tyner signed a minor league contract with 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...
in January . He was released during spring training.
Milwaukee Brewers
Tyner signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
in March.
Detroit Tigers
On April 22, 2009 Tyner was traded to 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...
. The Tigers released Tyner on June 17, 2009.
The home run drought
Prior to 2004, Tyner had a severe home runHome run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
drought until he hit one in a minor league game in Richmond
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
in 2004.
Tyner finally hit his first major league home run against the Cleveland Indians on July 28, 2007, against Jake Westbrook
Jake Westbrook
Jacob Cauthen "Jake" Westbrook is an American Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher currently with the St. Louis Cardinals. He is known as a sinker ball pitcher and has also hit a grand slam home run....
. 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.
Personal
Tyner is married to his high school sweetheart, Annie. The couple has two daughters, Payton and Presley.He awards $1,500 scholarships to southeast Texas
Texas
Texas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
scholar-athletes under the Juliet Tyner Memorial Scholarship Foundation. The foundation was created in honor of his mother who died from breast cancer
Breast cancer
Breast cancer is cancer originating from breast tissue, most commonly from the inner lining of milk ducts or the lobules that supply the ducts with milk. Cancers originating from ducts are known as ductal carcinomas; those originating from lobules are known as lobular carcinomas...
in 1998.
Along with former Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
minor leaguer Morgan Walker, Tyner operates the Southeast Texas Baseball Academy, which runs baseball programs for 8–12 year olds.
In November, 2011, in the Guru League, Tyner's "Renyt's Due" fantasy football team was destroyed by Brett Shelander's team, "THE KARODDY KID." Jason reportedly will retire from fantasy football after the season because of this brutal beating.