Daniel Nava
Daniel Nava | ||
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Runs batted in | 206 | |
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Daniel James Nava (born February 22, 1983) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays, Los Angeles Angels, Kansas City Royals, and Philadelphia Phillies. Nava is only the fourth player in MLB history to hit a grand slam in his first major league at bat and the second to do it on the first pitch.
Early life
Nava was born in
After an opportunity to walk-on to the Santa Clara University baseball team, he failed to make the team as a player and became the team equipment manager.[4]
He left Santa Clara after two years because he could no longer afford the tuition.[4] He then enrolled in the College of San Mateo, a junior college.[5] He tried out for the baseball team on the encouragement of an old friend he happened to run into at a gym.[4] While at the College of San Mateo, he became a Junior College All-American. Later Santa Clara wanted him back[6] and eventually offered him a full scholarship.[7] He had a .395 batting average with a .494 on-base percentage (OBP) in his lone season with the Broncos, both tops in the West Coast Conference (WCC), and earned first-team All-WCC honors. He accrued 15 stolen bases without being caught, and he had more walks (31) than strikeouts (29).[4]
Professional career
Minor leagues
When Nava graduated from college, he went undrafted and signed with the Chico Outlaws of the Golden Baseball League. The Outlaws cut him after a tryout, only to bring him back a year later to fill a void.[4] In 2007, Nava hit 12 home runs for the Outlaws, with a .371 batting average and a 1.100 on-base plus slugging (OPS).[8] Nava was named the number one independent league prospect by Baseball America in 2007.[8] The assistant director of pro scouting for the Boston Red Sox, Jared Porter, recommended the Sox sign Nava from the Chico Outlaws in 2007.[9] The Red Sox paid the Outlaws $1 for the rights to Nava, with an agreement that the Outlaws would receive an additional $1,499 if the Red Sox kept Nava after spring training.[10]
In 2008, Nava played for the
In 2010, Nava spent two months in Triple-A with the Pawtucket Red Sox.[13] At that time he was quoted as saying, "I know I have the talent and the ability, and I can keep playing at the next level," he said. "If I didn't think I could, I would have been like, 'You know what? There's no point.' … I definitely thought I could perform and perform well. That's why I kept on going. Quitting's just not much of an option for me."[4]
Boston Red Sox
2010
Nava made his
Taking the advice of Red Sox radio broadcaster
Due to his outstanding debut, Nava continued to start for the Red Sox. On June 17, he had his first three-hit game, two of those hits being doubles, against the Arizona Diamondbacks. Nava reached base safely in his first 13 MLB games.
Nava was sent back to Triple-A Pawtucket on July 22 to make room for Hermida, who came off the DL.[15] He was recalled to Boston on August 2 to replace Mike Cameron, who was placed on the DL,[16] then optioned two days later to make room for Ellsbury. On August 17, he was again recalled after Ellsbury re-injured his ribs.
2011
Nava was
2012
Nava was not invited to major league training camp in 2012, but was recalled to the major league in May of that year, due to the absences of
2013
Nava hit a three-run home run which proved to be the winning margin on April 20, the first Red Sox home game after the Boston Marathon bombing earlier that week.[21] On July 29, 2013, Nava fell victim to a controversial call at home plate in which he was ruled out by umpire Jerry Meals, who later admitted that the call was incorrect.[22]
Nava platooned with Jonny Gomes in left field throughout the Red Sox' championship season of 2013, posting career highs in games played and all offensive categories. He placed eighth in the American League in batting average (.303) and fifth (.385) in on-base percentage.[23] With the Red Sox finishing 97–65, the team finished atop the American League East division and went on to win the 2013 World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals.
2014
Nava batted only .136 with two home runs and three RBIs in the first 17 games in 2014. He was demoted to Triple-A Pawtucket on April 23, 2014. He was recalled on May 27, 2014, after Shane Victorino went on the disabled list. Nava still failed to improve and was again demoted to Triple-A on June 1, 2014. He was again recalled on June 2, 2014. On September 14, 2014, Nava hit his second career grand slam off of Kansas City Royals pitcher Aaron Crow.
2015
On July 30, 2015, Nava was designated for assignment after struggling throughout the season with injuries and inconsistency at the plate.[24]
Tampa Bay Rays
Nava was claimed off waivers by the
Los Angeles Angels
Nava signed a one-year deal with the
Kansas City Royals
On August 29, 2016, the Angels traded Nava to the Royals for a player to be named later.[26]
Philadelphia Phillies
On December 12, 2016, Nava signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies.[27] He made the Phillies' major league roster, and in his first game with the team on April 6, 2017, he homered in his first two at-bats.[28] He appeared in 80 games total for the 2017 Phillies, batting .301 with four home runs and 21 RBIs.[29]
Pittsburgh Pirates
On February 6, 2018, Nava signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates.[30] On February 28, it was announced Nava would be sidelined 10 to 12 weeks after back surgery. He was released on March 20,[31] and signed a new minor league contract with Pittsburgh on March 23.[32] Nava did not play professionally in 2018.[33] He became a free agent on November 6, 2018.
Kansas City T-Bones
On June 2, 2019, Nava signed with the
During the 2019–20 winter baseball season, Nava played briefly for Algodoneros de Guasave of the Mexican Pacific League, appearing in seven games while batting .148 (4-for-27) with one RBI.[33]
Coaching career
Nava was hired by the
Awards
- 2007 Independent Leagues Top Prospect (Baseball America)[8]
- Red Sox Minor League Player of the Month (Aug/Sep 2009)[38]
- Red Sox Lou Gorman Award (2012)[38]
Personal life
Nava's father, Don, is a fitness instructor and a coach.[39] Nava was married in the early offseason of 2012; he and his wife, Rachel, have one daughter.
From 2008 to 2010, Nava left a ticket at every minor league home game for ESPN sportscaster Erin Andrews.[40][41]
See also
References
- ^ "Daniel Nava Stats". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
- S2CID 156043575.
- ^ "Heard It From Hoard: The "Tall Tale" of Daniel Nava". Danhoard.mlblogs.com. April 3, 2010. Archived from the original on June 19, 2010. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ a b c d e f MacPherson, Brian (April 13, 2010). "Daniel Nava: From equipment manager to major-league prospect". The Providence Journal. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ a b Ian Browne. "After long journey, Nava takes historic swing". Mlb.com. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ http://www.lookoutlanding.com/2010/6/12/1515223/daniel-nava-just-hit-a-grand-slam%7Ctitle=Daniel Nava Just Hit A Grand Slam On The First Pitch Of His Big League Career
- ^ "Daniel Nava Signs with World Champion Red Sox" (PDF). Riekes Report. Winter 2007–08. p. 1. Archived from the original (PDF) on June 13, 2010. Retrieved June 12, 2010 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ a b c Andrews, Mike (April 8, 2010). "Meet Daniel Nava, the best Red Sox minor leaguer you've never heard of - Boston Red Sox Blog - ESPN Boston". Espn.go.com. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ "Blogs: Clubhouse Insider» Blog Archive » Stop — Nava time!". BostonHerald.com. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ "Full Count » The Sox' $1 investment in Nava pays off". Fullcount.weei.com. May 10, 1960. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ "Full Count » Nava completes long journey to majors". Fullcount.weei.com. May 10, 1960. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ Lee, Tony (June 12, 2010). "Daniel Nava's Long and Winding Road Leads Him to Shadows of Fenway Park's Green Monster - Boston Red Sox". NESN.com. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ Sullivan, Jeff (June 12, 2010). "Daniel Nava Just Hit A Grand Slam On The First Pitch Of His Big League Career". Lookout Landing. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ "Boston rookie Nava hits grand slam on first pitch faced". ESPN. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ McDonald.Nava's magical run done for now. ESPNBoston.com. Accessed July 31, 2010
- ^ Abraham, Peter (August 2, 2010). "Cameron returns to disabled list". The Boston Globe. Retrieved August 2, 2010.
- ^ Red Sox Designate Daniel Nava For Assignment, MLBTradeRumors.com, May 20, 2011.
- Providence Journal, May 27, 2011
- ^ a b Chimelis, Ron. "Daniel Nava plans to make the most of his time with the Red Sox". masslive.com. MassLive LLC. Retrieved May 12, 2012.
- ^ "Red Sox Announce Winners of 2012 Minor League Awards". milb.com. September 22, 2012. Retrieved September 29, 2017.
- ^ Red Sox honor Boston Marathon bombing victims, rally past Royals, ESPN.com, April 20, 2013.
- ^ Jerry Meals Admits to Blowing Call at Home Plate, Says Daniel Nava Should Have Been Safe | Boston Red Sox | NESN.com
- ^ 2013 American League Batting Leaders - Baseball-Reference.com
- ^ Hannable, Ryan (July 30, 2015). "RED SOX MOVES: DANIEL NAVA DFA'D, TOMMY LAYNE OPTIONED; JONATHAN ARO RECALLED, JEAN MACHI ACTIVATED". fullcount.weei.com. Retrieved July 30, 2015.
- ^ Angels, outfielder Daniel Nava agree to one-year contract
- ^ Wile, Brandon (August 30, 2016). "Angels trade Nava to Royals". theScore.com. Retrieved June 13, 2023.
- ^ Seidman, Corey (December 12, 2016). "Phillies sign OF Daniel Nava, LHP Sean Burnett to minor-league contracts". csnphilly.com. Retrieved December 24, 2016.
- ^ Tannenwald, Jonathan (April 6, 2017). "Phillies' Daniel Nava hits home runs in consecutive at-bats". Philly.com. Retrieved April 6, 2017.
- ^ "Daniel Nava Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ Todd, Jeff (February 6, 2018). "Pirates To Sign Daniel Nava". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
- ^ Polishuk, Mark (March 20, 2018). "Pirates Release Daniel Nava". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved March 20, 2018.
- ^ "Pirates' Daniel Nava: Officially back with Pittsburgh". cbssports.com. March 23, 2018. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Daniel Nava Independent, Minor & Winter Leagues Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ "T-Bones Have a Busy Saturday with Roster Moves". oursportscentral.com (Press release). T-Bones Media Relations Department. June 2, 2019. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ a b c Abraham, Peter (January 6, 2024). "Daniel Nava's goal is to get back to the majors. This time as a coach or manager". The Boston Globe. Retrieved January 7, 2024.
- ^ Stephen, Eric (February 7, 2023). "Dodgers 2023 minor league coaching staffs". truebluela.com. Retrieved December 7, 2023.
- ^ Ali, Sam (February 7, 2023). "World Series champion Daniel Nava named new manager of Great Lakes Loons". midmichigannow.com. Retrieved February 12, 2023.
- ^ a b "Daniel Nava". soxprospects.com. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ Andrews, Mike (April 8, 2010). "Meet Daniel Nava, the best Red Sox minor leaguer you've never heard of - Boston Red Sox Blog - ESPN Boston". Espn.go.com. Retrieved June 13, 2010.
- ^ "Red Sox Minor Leaguer Waits For Erin Andrews To Accept His Ticket, And (Sigh) His Heart". Sporting News. May 21, 2010. Archived from the original on May 25, 2010. Retrieved April 21, 2013.
- ^ Lauber, Scott (June 12, 2010). "Erin Andrews congratulates Daniel Nava". Boston Herald. Retrieved January 7, 2015.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- Daniel Nava on Twitter