Matthew LeCroy
Encyclopedia
Matthew Hanks LeCroy (born December 13, 1975 in Belton
, South Carolina
) is a former Major League Baseball
catcher
, first baseman
, and designated hitter
. During his time in the major leagues, LeCroy had the distinction of being the active player with the most plate appearances without a stolen base
in his career.
LeCroy is a 1994 graduate of Belton-Honea Path High School in Honea Path, South Carolina and has attended Clemson University
, pursuing a degree in elementary education.
LeCroy had a few good years of success with the Minnesota Twins
in the early 2000s. He was always a threat to hit a home run, and has hit 60 in his career of limited at bats. He was dropped by the Twins in , and signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals
.
Though battling bone spurs in his throwing knee, LeCroy was asked to fill in during a May 25, 2006, game against the Houston Astros
at a time when Washington's starting catcher, Brian Schneider
and backup Wiki Gonzalez
, were out with injuries. He was replaced with Robert Fick
in the middle of the seventh inning after the Astros stole six bases and LeCroy committed two catching errors. After the game, manager Frank Robinson
shed tears during the press conference regarding his removal of Matt in the middle of the seventh inning, which is usually considered embarrassing. LeCroy would then be designated for assignment July 18, and then played for the New Orleans Zephyrs
, Washington's Triple-A
team.
LeCroy was signed to a minor league deal by the Twins in after turning down a Washington Nationals' offer to manage one of their minor-league teams. LeCroy started the 2007 season as designated hitter
playing for the Rochester Red Wings
in the International League
. He had his contract purchased by the major league club on September 9, 2007, when fourth catcher José Morales went down with an injury, and finished the season with the Twins.
As a member of the Twins, he became one of the few major leaguers to pinch hit a walk-off grand slam.
LeCroy was outrighted to the minor leagues on October 11, 2007. However, he refused the assignment and became a free agent. On February 15, , LeCroy signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training
with the Oakland Athletics
. On March 16, 2008, LeCroy was reassigned to minor league camp. He asked the Athletics to grant his release, which they did. LeCroy then signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers
of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball
in April 2008.
In November 2008, LeCroy was hired by the Nationals to manage the team's Class A affiliate, the Hagerstown Suns
.
LeCroy and his wife Holly have three children, adopted daughter Isabella (2004), daughter Maggie (2006), and adopted son Noah (2008).
Belton, South Carolina
Belton is a city in eastern Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 4,461 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Belton is located at ....
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
) is a former Major League Baseball
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...
, first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
, and 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...
. During his time in the major leagues, LeCroy had the distinction of being the active player with the most plate appearances without a 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...
in his career.
LeCroy is a 1994 graduate of Belton-Honea Path High School in Honea Path, South Carolina and has attended Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
, pursuing a degree in elementary education.
LeCroy had a few good years of success 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 the early 2000s. He was always a threat to hit a home run, and has hit 60 in his career of limited at bats. He was dropped by the Twins in , and signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
.
Though battling bone spurs in his throwing knee, LeCroy was asked to fill in during a May 25, 2006, game against the Houston Astros
Houston 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...
at a time when Washington's starting catcher, Brian Schneider
Brian Schneider
Brian Duncan Schneider is an American Major League Baseball catcher.-Early life:Schneider was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Peter and Karen Schneider...
and backup Wiki Gonzalez
Wiki González
Wiklenman Vicente "Wiki" González is a former Major League Baseball player. González's MLB career was with the San Diego Padres , the Seattle Mariners , and the Washington Nationals ....
, were out with injuries. He was replaced with Robert Fick
Robert Fick
Robert Charles Fick is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. In 2002, he was named to the American League All-Star Team.-Career:...
in the middle of the seventh inning after the Astros stole six bases and LeCroy committed two catching errors. After the game, manager Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson , is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played from 1956–1976, most notably for the Cincinnati Reds and the Baltimore Orioles. He is the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues...
shed tears during the press conference regarding his removal of Matt in the middle of the seventh inning, which is usually considered embarrassing. LeCroy would then be designated for assignment July 18, and then played for the New Orleans Zephyrs
New Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
, Washington's Triple-A
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...
team.
LeCroy was signed to a minor league deal by the Twins in after turning down a Washington Nationals' offer to manage one of their minor-league teams. LeCroy started the 2007 season as 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...
playing for 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...
in the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
. He had his contract purchased by the major league club on September 9, 2007, when fourth catcher José Morales went down with an injury, and finished the season with the Twins.
As a member of the Twins, he became one of the few major leaguers to pinch hit a walk-off grand slam.
LeCroy was outrighted to the minor leagues on October 11, 2007. However, he refused the assignment and became a free agent. On February 15, , LeCroy signed a minor league contract with an invitation to 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...
with 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....
. On March 16, 2008, LeCroy was reassigned to minor league camp. He asked the Athletics to grant his release, which they did. LeCroy then signed with the Lancaster Barnstormers
Lancaster Barnstormers
The Lancaster Barnstormers is an American professional baseball team based in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. They are a member of the Freedom 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...
in April 2008.
In November 2008, LeCroy was hired by the Nationals to manage the team's Class A affiliate, the Hagerstown Suns
Hagerstown Suns
The Hagerstown Suns are a Minor League Baseball team based in Hagerstown, Maryland, United States. They play in Municipal Stadium, which was opened in 1930 and seats 4,600 fans....
.
LeCroy and his wife Holly have three children, adopted daughter Isabella (2004), daughter Maggie (2006), and adopted son Noah (2008).