Michael Bourn
Michael Bourn | ||
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Runs batted in 361 | | |
Stolen bases | 341 | |
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Career highlights and awards | ||
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Michael Ray Bourn (born December 27, 1982) is an American former
Bourn was raised in
Amateur career
Michael Ray Bourn was born in Houston, Texas on December 27, 1982, the first of two sons to parents Carrie and Raymond. As a child, Michael played three sports, baseball, basketball and football.
Bourn attended Nimitz High School in Houston. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft out of high school but declined to sign. He planned to continue his baseball career at Galveston College until Todd Whitting, then an assistant coach for the Houston Cougars baseball team, saw him playing AAU baseball and decided to offer him a scholarship.[4]
He played
He was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2002 Conference USA baseball tournament, in which Houston was the runner-up.[8]
Professional career
Philadelphia Phillies
In June 2003, following his junior year, the
In 2004, Bourn was the starting center fielder with the
Bourn started the 2006 season with the
In August–September 2006, Bourn played for the United States national baseball team in the qualification for the 2008 Summer Olympics. He hit two home runs in the final game of the qualifying tournament against Cuba.[10]
After a strong performance during spring training in 2007, Bourn won a position on the Phillies' major league roster to begin the year. He was used sparingly, appearing primarily as a frequent defensive replacement in left field for Pat Burrell.
On July 15, 2007, Bourn hit his first career home run as the Phillies recorded their 10,000th franchise loss by losing to the St. Louis Cardinals 10–2.[11] On July 27, Bourn was in the Phillies' starting lineup for the first time due to injuries to both Chase Utley and Aaron Rowand, and had his first 4-hit game in an 8–1 rout of the Pirates, in which he scored two runs.
Bourn finished third among all NL rookies with 18 stolen bases, and was caught only once.[12] He batted .277.
Houston Astros
On November 7, 2007, Bourn was traded along with Geoff Geary and Mike Costanzo to the Houston Astros for Brad Lidge and Eric Bruntlett.[13] Houston's General Manager, Ed Wade, declared Bourn as the 2008 Astros' leadoff hitter and starting center fielder, effectively moving Hunter Pence to right field.
Bourn stole 41 bases in 2008. He finished the season with a .229 batting average and a major league-low .288 on-base percentage and a major league-low OPS of .588, while striking out 111 times in his 467 at-bats.[14]
In 2009 spring training, Bourn led all players in steals, with 13, while being caught twice. Bourn had a major turnaround year, as he finished with 61 stolen bases, which was the most in the National League and second in the Majors only to the 70 steals by Jacoby Ellsbury, to go along with a .285 batting average and a .354 on-base percentage in 157 games, as well as 27 doubles and 12 triples (tied for second most in the Majors with Stephen Drew) in 606 at bats. Bourn's OPS went from .588 in 2008 to .738 in 2009, which was the eighth best improvement in the Majors.[15] His much improved play prompted former manager Cecil Cooper to informally name him the club MVP before he was fired.[16] The Houston chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America formally named Bourn the Astros 2009 team MVP shortly after the end of the season.[17]
Changing his uniform number to 21, Bourn followed up his breakout season with another successful year in 2010, being elected to the National League All-Star team
Atlanta Braves
In July 2011, prior to the trade deadline, Bourn was traded to the Atlanta Braves for Jordan Schafer, Brett Oberholtzer, Paul Clemens and Juan Abreu. Bourn finished 2011 with a career best .294 batting average and 61 stolen bases (39 with the Astros and 22 with the Braves).[22]
Bourn was named a candidate in the
In 2012, Bourn hit .274 and with a .739 OPS for the Braves. He stole 42 bases and hit a career high nine home runs. His 155 strikeouts were a new career high.[1] Bourn finished 18th in the voting for the N.L. MVP.[25]
In November, Bourn rejected the Braves $13.3 million qualifying offer and became a free agent.[26]
Cleveland Indians
On February 11, 2013, Bourn agreed to a four-year, $48 million contract with the
Bourn played in 130 games in 2013, as he battled injuries throughout the season. He had 23 steals, which was his lowest total since 2007,[28] when he was with the Philadelphia Phillies.
On May 27, 2014, Bourn robbed
Bourn struggled offensively to begin the 2015 season. On April 26 against the Detroit Tigers, he was dropped from the leadoff spot in the lineup for the first time as a Cleveland Indian as a result of his struggles, batting ninth instead.[32]
Second stint with the Atlanta Braves (2015)
On August 7, 2015, the Indians traded Bourn and Nick Swisher with cash considerations to the Atlanta Braves for Chris Johnson.[33] He was designated for assignment on April 2, 2016,[34] and released on April 14.[35]
Toronto Blue Jays
Bourn signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on April 22, 2016.[36] He was assigned to the Advanced-A Dunedin Blue Jays, and hit .257 in 9 games before being released on May 7.[37][38]
Arizona Diamondbacks
On May 10, 2016, Bourn signed a minor league contract with the
In 89 games with the Diamondbacks, Bourn slashed .262/.307/.373 with 21 extra-base hits while driving in 30 runs and stealing 13 bases.
Baltimore Orioles
The Diamondbacks traded Bourn to the Baltimore Orioles for Jason Heinrich on August 31, 2016.[42] Bourn made an immediate impact with the O's, hitting .283 with 2 home runs, 8 RBIs and two outfield assists in 24 games.
On February 20, 2017, Bourn re-signed with the Orioles to a minor league contract.[43] He was released on March 27,[44] but later resigned on April 11.[45] The Orioles released him again on May 24, 2017.
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
On June 2, 2017, Bourn signed a minor league deal with the Angels.[46] On July 2, 2017, the Angels released Bourn.[47]
Broadcasting career
In 2022, Bourn served as a color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies Radio Network. During a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres, Phillies star Bryce Harper was hit by a pitch in the hand, which broke his thumb. Bourn, who was commentating during the game, responded by saying "oooh shit!" Bourn later apologized for the expletive stating "excuse my language, I think a word might have slipped out there."[48] While seen as a raw talent, Bourn was praised for his excitement and passion while in the booth. In 2023, it was announced that Bourn would not return to the broadcasting booth.[49]
Personal life
Bourn's first son, Bryson, was born in 2009.[50] Bourn has two daughters Blair and Bailey, the latter of whom was born in 2018. His wife, Nikita, owns a babysitting business and he owns three apartment complexes in Houston.[4] Bourn is a member of the Churches of Christ.[51]
See also
References
- ^ a b "Michael Bourn Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
- ^ Bastian, Jordan (June 12, 2014). "Bourn takes lessons from father full circle". MLB.com. Retrieved April 24, 2016.
- ^ Lemire, Joe (August 8, 2011). "Childhood friends Bourn, Crawford watch careers take different paths". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ a b Hauser, Melanie (May 8, 2020). "Michael Bourn: Waiving rent for tenants 'the right thing to do'". Houston Chronicle. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ "2-Michael Bourn". Houston Cougars Athletics. Archived from the original on September 28, 2016.
- ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
- ^ "2002 Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
- ^ "2012 Conference USA Baseball Media Guide" (PDF). p. 93. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 12, 2012. Retrieved June 21, 2012.
- ^ Nationals 4, Phillies 3 Yahoo! Sports
- ^ Mayo, Jonathan (September 29, 2006). "USA Baseball finishes successful season". www.milb.com. Minor League Baseball. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ "Cards' HRs send Phillies to 10,000th franchise loss". ESPN. July 16, 2007. Retrieved June 22, 2016.
- ^ MLB Player Batting Stats – 2011 ESPN
- ^ "Phillies land Lidge in five-player trade with Astros". CBSSports.com. November 7, 2007. Archived from the original on October 11, 2012. Retrieved August 24, 2009.
- ^ "2008 Major League Baseball Advanced Batting". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ "Astros' Bourn among most improved in baseball". The Unofficial Scorer. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ "Sortable Player Stats". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ "Astros notes: Wade beginning hunt for new manager". Houston Chronicle. October 5, 2009. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ "Astros outfielder Bourn selected to first All-Star team". Houston Chronicle. July 5, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ "Astros notes: Bourn leaves game with strained oblique". Houston Chronicle. September 20, 2010. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ Gleeman, Aaron (November 1, 2010). "Yadier Molina leads fifth annual "Fielding Bible Awards"". NBCSports.com. Retrieved November 11, 2010.
For those of us who have come to more or less ignore Gold Glove awards as a meaningful way to measure defensive excellence, the fifth annual Fielding Bible Awards were announced today.
- ^ "Bourn wins second straight NL Gold Glove". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ "Braves finalize deal with Astros to acquire speedy center fielder Michael Bourn". Major League Baseball. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ Breen, Matt (July 5, 2012). "Bryce Harper loses Final Vote to join All-Star Game". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 6, 2012.
- ^ Wagner, James (July 7, 2012). "Ian Desmond to miss all-star game because of sore oblique". The Washington Post. Retrieved July 7, 2012.
- ^ "2012 Awards Voting". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
- ^ "Michael Bourn turns down Braves' qualifying offer | MLB.com: News". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved January 31, 2013.
- ^ "Michael Bourn, Indians agree to 4-year contract, according to report". SI=February 11, 2013.
- ^ "Michael Bourn » Statistics » Batting – FanGraphs Baseball". fangraphs.com. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ Kiesel, Connor (May 28, 2014). "Leaping like Lofton! Bourn makes fabulous homer-saving grab". Fox Sports. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ Bourn's 1,000th hit. MLB.com. May 28, 2014.
- ^ "Colorado Rockies vs. Cleveland Indians – Recap – June 01, 2014". ESPN. Associated Press. June 1, 2014. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
- ^ Josh Poloha (April 26, 2015). "Michael Bourn moved to ninth spot in the lineup on Sunday". waitingfornextyear.com. Retrieved May 5, 2015.
- ^ "Indians trade Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn to Atlanta Braves". fox8.com. August 7, 2015. Retrieved August 7, 2015.
- ^ Bowman, Mark (April 2, 2016). "Braves regretfully cut Bourn; Bonifacio, too". MLB.com. Retrieved April 2, 2016.
- ^ Piecoro, Nick (April 14, 2016). "Diamondbacks considering free agent Michael Bourn". Arizona Republic. Retrieved April 15, 2016.
- ^ "Blue Jays' Chris Colabello banned 80 games by MLB for PEDs". ESPN.com. April 23, 2016. Retrieved April 23, 2016.
- ^ Adams, Steve (May 9, 2016). "Blue Jays Release Michael Bourn". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Florida State League Transactions". MiLB.com. p. May 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2016.
- ^ "Diamondbacks sign Michael Bourn to minor-league contract". azcentral.com. May 10, 2016. Retrieved May 10, 2016.
- ^ "Former Atlanta Brave Michael Bourn joins BayBears". May 11, 2016.
- ^ "Diamondbacks' Michael Bourn: 'I still believe I can play'".
- ^ Simon, Andrew (August 31, 2016). "D-backs deal Bourn for Minors outfielder Heinrich". MLB.com. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
- ^ Encina, Eduardo A. (February 20, 2017). "Orioles re-sign outfielder Michael Bourn to minor league contract". Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 20, 2017.
- ^ Todd, Jeff (March 27, 2017). "Orioles Release Michael Bourn, Chris Johnson". mlbtraderumors.com. Retrieved March 28, 2017.
- ^ Todd, Jeff (April 11, 2017). "Orioles Resign Michael Bourn". MLBTradeRumors.com. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
- UPI. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ Byrne, Connor (July 2, 2017). "Angels Release Michael Bourn". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
- ^ Contes, Brandon (June 27, 2022). "Phillies radio analyst screamed an expletive after Bryce Harper suffered broken thumb on a hit by pitch". Awful Announcing.
- ^ Kelly, Tim (February 21, 2023). "Kevin Stocker receives multi-year deal to work in radio booth with Scott Franzke". Phillies Nation.
- ^ Rogers, Carroll (July 7, 2012). "Bourn named to NL All-Star team". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on October 17, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2012.
- ^ Ross Jr, Bobby (June 1, 2010). "Busy doing the Lord's work". The Christian Chronicle. Retrieved June 3, 2021.
External links
- Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball Reference, or Fangraphs, or Baseball Reference (Minors), or Retrosheet
- UH Cougars bio