Joey Gathright
Encyclopedia
Joey Renard Gathright is an American
professional baseball
outfielder
who is a free agent. He was born in Hattiesburg
, Mississippi
.
, Louisiana
, where he played baseball as a junior and boxed. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays
in the 32nd round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
, and signed in August after playing that summer in a Louisiana Sugar Cane League in Sorrento
, Louisiana.
Gathright was arguably one of the fastest players in major league baseball when he made his major league debut, and led all major league outfielder
s in range factor
(3.06) in 2006. He does not hit for power (with only one home run
in his MLB career). From 2006-2009, he had the lowest slugging average of players with at least 1000 plate appearances at .298. He has a .263 lifetime batting average
going into the 2009 season.
Gathright was clocked at 6.1 seconds in the 60-yard dash.http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081216&content_id=3718841&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc While in high school, he jumped over his coach's car. That jumping ability proved useful on the field, as in a spring training
game Gathright jumped over Los Angeles Dodgers
pitcher
Hiroki Kuroda
, who was trying to tag him out en route to first base.
In , he hit .276 in 76 games, and drew 10 walks
.
, along with infielder
Fernando Cortez
, for left-handed pitcher J. P. Howell. In the 2006 season
, he batted .238 with a .321 on base percentage
, and a .292 slugging percentage. He hit his first, and to date only, home run
on September 16, 2006 against Joel Piñeiro
of the Seattle Mariners
.
In , Gathright broke up Bobby Jenks
's major league record-tying streak of 41 consecutive batters retired. Gathright, who would have been the record 42nd batter, was able to get a hit.
While playing center field, his range factor per nine innings was below average in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2008 Gathright saw his range factor fall to 2.53, below all but one center field starter in the league. He also hit .254 with a .311 on base percentage, and only a .272 slugging percentage—below that of all starting outfielders in the major leagues.
Gathright, while with the Royals, had a tendency to attempt to bunt for base hits in order to use his superior speed to reach base. However, he proved to be an inconsistent bunter, and thus his on base percentage and batting average suffered.
. and made his debut April 6 against the Houston Astros.
On May 8, 2009, after clearing waivers and being sent outright to the minors, the Cubs traded Gathright to the Orioles for Ryan Freel
.
On August 29, 2009, the Boston Red Sox
acquired Gathright in exchange for either a player to be named later or cash considerations. He appeared in 17 regular season games, primarily as a pinch runner. He was on the post-season roster, where he made one appearance without an at-bat.
signed Gathright to a minor league contract. However, he was released on March 28, before the start of the season.
On March 30, 2010, Gathright signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was released on July 22, 2010.
On August 6, 2010, Gathright signed with the Long Island Ducks
of the independent
Atlantic League
. He ended the season hitting .269 with 3 home runs and 19 RBI.
On June 10, 2011, Gathright signed with the Yuma Scorpions
of the independent
North American League
.
On August 31, 2011, Gathright signed with the Boston Red Sox
. He elected free agency on October 27.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional 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...
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...
who is a free agent. He was born in Hattiesburg
Hattiesburg, Mississippi
Hattiesburg is a city in Forrest County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 44,779 at the 2000 census . It is the county seat of Forrest County...
, Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
.
Early life
Gathright attended Bonnabel High School in KennerKenner, Louisiana
Kenner is a city in Jefferson Parish, Louisiana, United States, and a suburb of New Orleans. The population was 66,702 at the 2010 census....
, Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
, where he played baseball as a junior and boxed. He was drafted by 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...
in the 32nd round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
, and signed in August after playing that summer in a Louisiana Sugar Cane League in Sorrento
Sorrento, Louisiana
Sorrento is a town in Ascension Parish, Louisiana, United States. The population was 1,227 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Sorrento is located at ....
, Louisiana.
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (2004–06)
He made his major league debut with the Devil Rays on June 25, .Gathright was arguably one of the fastest players in major league baseball when he made his major league debut, and led all major 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...
s in range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
(3.06) in 2006. He does not hit for power (with only one home run
Home 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...
in his MLB career). From 2006-2009, he had the lowest slugging average of players with at least 1000 plate appearances at .298. He has a .263 lifetime 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 :...
going into the 2009 season.
Gathright was clocked at 6.1 seconds in the 60-yard dash.http://chicago.cubs.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081216&content_id=3718841&vkey=pr_chc&fext=.jsp&c_id=chc While in high school, he jumped over his coach's car. That jumping ability proved useful on the field, as in a 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...
game Gathright jumped over Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
pitcher
Pitcher
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...
Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
, who was trying to tag him out en route to first base.
In , he hit .276 in 76 games, and drew 10 walks
Base on balls
A base on balls is credited to a batter and against a pitcher in baseball statistics when a batter receives four pitches that the umpire calls balls. It is better known as a walk. The base on balls is defined in Section 2.00 of baseball's Official Rules, and further detail is given in 6.08...
.
Kansas City Royals (2006–08)
On June 20, , he was traded to the Kansas City RoyalsKansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
, along with infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Fernando Cortez
Fernando Cortez
Fernando Cortez is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently with the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. His most recent Major League Baseball team was the Kansas City Royals.Cortez was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 9th round of the 2001 Major...
, for left-handed pitcher J. P. Howell. In the 2006 season
2006 Major League Baseball season
In , the Major League Baseball season ended with the National League's St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series with the lowest regular season victory total in history. The American League continued its domination at the All-Star Game by winning its fourth straight game; the A.L. has won nine...
, he batted .238 with a .321 on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
, and a .292 slugging percentage. He hit his first, and to date only, home run
Home 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...
on September 16, 2006 against Joel Piñeiro
Joel Piñeiro
Joel Alberto Piñeiro is a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He is 6'1" tall and weighs 200 pounds. He is right-handed and made his major league debut on August 8, .-Career:...
of the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
.
In , Gathright broke up Bobby Jenks
Bobby Jenks
Robert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
's major league record-tying streak of 41 consecutive batters retired. Gathright, who would have been the record 42nd batter, was able to get a hit.
While playing center field, his range factor per nine innings was below average in 2007, 2008, and 2009. In 2008 Gathright saw his range factor fall to 2.53, below all but one center field starter in the league. He also hit .254 with a .311 on base percentage, and only a .272 slugging percentage—below that of all starting outfielders in the major leagues.
Gathright, while with the Royals, had a tendency to attempt to bunt for base hits in order to use his superior speed to reach base. However, he proved to be an inconsistent bunter, and thus his on base percentage and batting average suffered.
2009
On December 16, 2008, three days after being non-tendered by the Royals, Gathright signed a one-year deal with the Chicago CubsChicago 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...
. and made his debut April 6 against the Houston Astros.
On May 8, 2009, after clearing waivers and being sent outright to the minors, the Cubs traded Gathright to the Orioles for Ryan Freel
Ryan Freel
Ryan Paul Freel is a retired baseball utility player. He played second base, third base, and all three outfield positions.-MLB career:...
.
On August 29, 2009, the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
acquired Gathright in exchange for either a player to be named later or cash considerations. He appeared in 17 regular season games, primarily as a pinch runner. He was on the post-season roster, where he made one appearance without an at-bat.
2010
On December 13, 2009, the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
signed Gathright to a minor league contract. However, he was released on March 28, before the start of the season.
On March 30, 2010, Gathright signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles. He was released on July 22, 2010.
On August 6, 2010, Gathright signed with the Long Island Ducks
Long Island Ducks
The Long Island Ducks is an American professional baseball team based in Central Islip, New York. 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 independent
Independent baseball
Independent baseball leagues are professional baseball organizations located in the United States and Canada. They are not operated in conjunction with either a Major League Baseball team or an affiliated minor league team. Being independent allows teams to be located close to major-league teams...
Atlantic League
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 ended the season hitting .269 with 3 home runs and 19 RBI.
2011
On April 13, 2011, Gathright signed with the Shreveport-Bossier Captains of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. He was released on June 7, 2011.On June 10, 2011, Gathright signed with the Yuma Scorpions
Yuma Scorpions
The Yuma Scorpions are a professional baseball team based in Yuma, Arizona, in the United States. The Scorpions are a member of the Western Division of the independent North American League. From the 2005 season to the present, the Scorpions have played their home games at Desert Sun Stadium at the...
of the independent
Independent baseball
Independent baseball leagues are professional baseball organizations located in the United States and Canada. They are not operated in conjunction with either a Major League Baseball team or an affiliated minor league team. Being independent allows teams to be located close to major-league teams...
North American League
North American League
The North American League is an independent baseball league that began play in the 2011 season...
.
On August 31, 2011, Gathright signed with the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. He elected free agency on October 27.