J. D. Drew
J. D. Drew | |
---|---|
Right fielder | |
Born: Valdosta, Georgia, U.S. | November 20, 1975|
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 8, 1998, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |
Last MLB appearance | |
September 28, 2011, for the Boston Red Sox | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .278 |
Home runs | 242 |
Runs batted in | 795 |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
David Jonathan "J. D." Drew (born November 20, 1975) is an American former
College
Drew graduated from
Professional career
1997: Drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies made Drew the second overall pick, after pitcher Matt Anderson, in the 1997 MLB draft. Drew and his agent Scott Boras chose not to sign with the Phillies, insisting Drew would not sign for less than $10 million. The Phillies had no plan to pay an unproven player this amount of money, and despite Boras' warnings, drafted Drew nonetheless. They offered him $2.6 million.[5] Consequently, Drew ended up playing for the St. Paul Saints of the independent Northern League. Boras had Drew sign with an independent baseball league because of a loophole in the rules of the MLB draft.[6]
1998–2003: St. Louis Cardinals
After playing for St. Paul in the 1997 season, Drew was selected in the first round of the 1998 MLB draft, fifth overall, by the St. Louis Cardinals. In June he signed a $7 million contract,[5] then hit .316 through 26 games with the Triple-A Memphis Redbirds. He was recalled by the Cardinals and made his debut on September 8, 1998—the game in which teammate Mark McGwire broke the single-season home run record previously held by Roger Maris. Drew's first at bat, in the sixth inning, resulted in a strikeout, and he finished the night 0-for-2. He ended up going 15-for-36 (.417) during 1998, with five home runs.
On August 9, on what would have been Drew's first game in Philadelphia, he sat out, citing a bruised right hand. In an attempt to confuse the Philadelphia fans, he did not wear his own jersey that night, which instead was worn by bullpen catcher, Jeff Murphy. The attempt failed, however, and he was booed and heckled throughout
In his book Three Nights in August, Buzz Bissinger mentions former manager Tony La Russa's frustration with Drew's lack of passion. La Russa tells Bissinger that it seems Drew had decided to "settle for 75%" of his talent, in large part because of his enormous contract.[9]
2004: Atlanta Braves
On December 13, 2003, Drew was traded to the Atlanta Braves along with catcher Eli Marrero for starting pitcher Jason Marquis, relief pitcher Ray King, and rookie prospect Adam Wainwright.[10][11] There, he had the best season of his career while finally managing to stay healthy. In 2004, he displayed excellent power, patience, and defense, hitting .305 with 31 home runs, 118 walks, and 93 RBI, finishing sixth in the MVP voting.
2005–2006: Los Angeles Dodgers
In December 2004, Drew signed a five-year, $55 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers,[12] which included an escape clause after the second year. Roughly halfway through the 2005 season, Drew's season was again cut short after being hit on the wrist by a pitch from Arizona Diamondbacks' pitcher Brad Halsey.
On September 18, 2006, Drew was part of only the (then) fourth-ever set of back-to-back-to-back-to-back home runs with fellow Dodgers Jeff Kent, Russell Martin, and Marlon Anderson.[13]
In 2006, Drew exercised his contract opt-out clause, forgoing $33 million over the next three years to become a
2007–2011: Boston Red Sox
On January 26, 2007, Drew officially signed a five-year contract with the Red Sox worth $70 million. Drew's revised contract had a clause that allowed the Red Sox to opt out of Drew's five-year contract after three or four years if Drew has extensive injuries due to a previously existing problem in his right shoulder.[16]
Drew was again part of a set of four consecutive home runs on April 22, 2007, in a game against the
On October 20, 2007, Drew hit a grand slam in Game 6 of the 2007 ALCS with the Red Sox facing elimination.[19] The home run, along with brother Stephen Drew's for the Arizona Diamondbacks, marks the third time that two brothers have both hit home runs in the same postseason.
In 2008, Drew hit one of the longest home runs in Fenway Park history. According to the ESPN Home Run Tracker, it was measured at 460 feet. He finished with a .280 average, with an
On October 3, in Game 2 of the
After the 2009 season, Drew's statistics began to decline. That year, he hit .279 with an .392 OBP while hitting 24 home runs and 68 RBI. The following year, he hit .255 with 22 home runs with 68 RBI. However, he played in 139 games, his highest total since 2007 when he joined Boston. In 2011, Drew hit .222 with four home runs and 22 RBI. He played in 81 games and had a .315 OBP. Drew retired from professional baseball at the end of the 2011 season.[25]
Personal life
Drew's younger brother
Drew married his girlfriend Sheigh, on November 10, 2001, in Hahira, Georgia. Drew is a Christian.[27]
Career statistics
Years | Games | PA
|
AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI
|
SB
|
BB | SO
|
AVG | OBP | SLG | FLD% |
14 | 1566 | 6153 | 5173 | 944 | 1437 | 273 | 48 | 242 | 795 | 87 | 862 | 1137 | .278 | .384 | .489 | .983 |
In 55 postseason games, Drew hit .261 (48-for-184) with 19 runs, six doubles, seven home runs, 25 RBI and 18 walks.
See also
References
- ^ Malone, Christian (October 24, 2007). "J.D. Drew represents Hahira in Fall Classic". The Valdosta Daily Times. Retrieved 12 August 2023.
- ^ "J. D. Drew Stats".
- ^ "J.D. Drew Bio". Florida State Seminoles. June 17, 2014. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ "J.D. Drew". Nole Fan. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ a b "Hot Bonus Baby". Rolling Stone. No. 793. Straight Arrow. August 20, 1998. p. 74.
- ^ "Spring 1998: The J. D. Drew Saga". Roadside Photos. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "J.D. Drew misses unwelcome debut at Veterans Stadium". Lubbock Avalanche-Journal. AP. August 10, 1999. Archived from the original on January 9, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2013 – via Wayback Machine.
- ^ "Phillies fans hurl insults, projectiles at J. D. Drew". Sports Illustrated. CNN. August 11, 1999. Archived from the original on June 30, 2008. Retrieved January 2, 2019.
- ISBN 9780618405442.
- ^ Waggoner, Jim (January 29, 2009). "Marquis looking ahead to baseball season with Colorado Rockies". Staten Island Advance. Retrieved August 19, 2009.
- ^ "Braves get J.D. Drew". ESPN. December 13, 2003. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ "Dodgers move quickly after killing Unit deal". ESPN. December 22, 2004. Retrieved August 28, 2008.
- Baseball Reference. Sports Reference. September 18, 2006. Retrieved July 30, 2017.
- ^ Nadel, John (November 9, 2006). "Dodgers' J. D. Drew Opts for Free Agency". Forbes. Associated Press. Retrieved November 10, 2006.[dead link]
- ^ "Dodgers OF Drew opts out of remainder of contract". ESPN. November 9, 2006. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ "Red Sox, Drew come to terms". Pittsburgh Tribune-Review. January 26, 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ "Red Sox hit four consecutive HRs against Yankees". ESPN. April 22, 2007. Retrieved May 19, 2021.
- ^ a b "J. D. Drew Stats, News, Photos – Boston Red Sox". ESPN. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ a b "Red Sox's Drew (strained back) returns from DL". ESPN. September 9, 2008. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ Silva, Steve (July 2, 2008). "Drew named AL player of month for June". The Boston Globe. Retrieved July 2, 2008.
- ^ Edes, Gordon (July 16, 2008). "The longest goodbye". The Boston Globe. Retrieved December 21, 2012.
- ^ "Red Sox lose Drew to DL; Beckett to start Friday". ESPN. August 26, 2008. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ Browne, Ian (October 4, 2008). "Drew delivers back-breaking blow". Boston Red Sox. Archived from the original on October 6, 2008. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ "Drew's game-winning single keeps Red Sox alive in ALCS". ESPN. October 17, 2008. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ^ Leitch, Will (April 18, 2020). "Better than you remember: J.D. Drew". MLB.com. Retrieved May 30, 2021.
- ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
- ^ Pearlman, Jeff (March 22, 2004). "The Passion of J. D. Drew". Sports Illustrated. Archived from the original on July 31, 2009. Retrieved July 31, 2009.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet