Jason Michaels
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Cleveland Indians — No. 8 | |
| Left fielder | |
| Bats: Right | Throws: Right |
| Major League Baseball debut | |
|---|---|
| April 6, 2001 for the Philadelphia Phillies | |
| Selected MLB statistics (through 2006) |
|
| Batting average | .282 |
| Runs batted in | 155 |
| Home runs | 30 |
| Teams | |
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Jason Drew Michaels (born May 4, 1976 in Montgomery, West Virginia) is a Major League Baseball player who currently plays outfielder for the Cleveland Indians of the American League Central division.
Michaels was born in Montgomery, West Virginia and grew up in Tampa, Florida.
Contents |
[edit] University of Miami and Minor League career
Michaels was selected by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1998 First-Year Player Draft out of the University of Miami.
He played with the Batavia Muckdogs in 1998 (A-short season), Clearwater Phillies in 1999 (A, now Clearwater Threshers), the Reading Phillies in 2000 (AA), and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons in 2001 (AAA), all in the Phillies minor league farm system.
[edit] Philadelphia Phillies
Michaels made his Major League debut with the Phillies on April 6, 2001, though he spent much of the season with the Phillies' AAA affiliate in Scranton. He accumulated a batting average of .291 with 235 hits, including 21 home runs through the end of the 2005 season. In the outfield, Michaels became the go-to backup outfielder for the Phillies. However, his shot at a starting position with Phillies in the 2005 season was damaged when the Phillies acquired outfielder Kenny Lofton from the New York Yankees in the off-season.
During the 2005 season, Michaels and Lofton received comparable playing time in centerfield. Michaels started for the Phillies during Lofton's 2005 injury and primarily against left-handed pitching. Michaels and Lofton were formidable opponents in the number two slot in the Phillies batting lineup. When centerfielder Aaron Rowand was acquired through the trade of Jim Thome to the Chicago White Sox in the 2004/2005 offseason, however, Michaels' place on the team was called into question.
[edit] 2005 arrest in Philadelphia
Michaels was arrested around 3am on July 3, 2005, after allegedly punching Philadelphia police officer Timothy Taylor as he left the "32 Degrees" nightclub in the Olde City section of Philadelphia. "He punched a Philadelphia police officer and wrestled him to the ground, in the process ripping the police officer's shirt," Philadelphia police spokesperson Jim Pauley said.
It reportedly took four Philadelphia police officers to subdue Michaels, who spent nine hours in detention, and then, upon his release, promptly reported on time for a July 3 Phillies game against the Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park, broadcast nationally on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball.
[edit] Assault charges
Michaels faced charges of aggravated assault on a police officer, simple assault and reckless endangerment. On December 15, 2005, Michaels was placed into Philadelphia's Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition (ARD) program for first-time offenders of non-violent crimes.
On January 20, 2006, Michaels was ordered to complete 100 hours of community service with the Police Athletic League (PAL) and serve six months probation. Provided these conditions are met, his conviction record is to be expunged.
In addition to the criminal charges, the assaulted officer has purportedly brought a civil suit against Michaels.
[edit] Civil lawsuit
On April 23, 2006 it was reported in a Canton Rep article that Philadelphia Police Officer Timothy Taylor's civil suit again Michaels would soon be settled. Terms of the settlement have not been released[1].
[edit] Traded to Cleveland Indians
On January 27, 2006, the Phillies traded Michaels to the Cleveland Indians for left-handed relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes. This prompted a larger deal for the Indians, who then traded outfielder Coco Crisp to the Boston Red Sox as part of a multi-player deal. Michaels replaced Crisp as the starting leftfielder for the Indians.
[edit] Roberto Clemente Award Nominee
On September 6, 2006 it was announced that Michaels was the Indians' nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, which is awarded to the one Major League player who had the most impact through community service.
Michaels was awarded $2,500 for winning the Indians' award and intends to donate the money to the Cleveland chapter of Gang Resistance Education and Training.
[edit] External links
- Jason Michaels at ESPN.com.
- Jason Michaels' current baseball statistics.
- "Michaels spends night in slammer", Phillyburbs.com, July 4, 2005.
- "Michaels lawsuit wrapping up", Cantonrep.com, April 23, 2006.
- "Michaels donates time to community", MLB.com, September 6, 2006.
- "Tribe's chastened Jason now hastens to serve", Plain Dealer, September 12, 2006.
Categories: 1976 births | Living people | Batavia Muckdogs alumni | Buffalo Bisons (minor league) players | Cleveland Indians players | Mahoning Valley Scrappers alumni | Major league players from West Virginia | Major league left fielders | Major league players from Florida | Miami Hurricanes baseball players | People from Tampa | People from West Virginia | Philadelphia Phillies players
