Shawn Green: Difference between revisions

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			Green is a 1st round ] pick who in the major leagues has been a two-time ], has led the league in ], ], and ], set the Dodgers single-season record in ], and has won both a gold glove award and a silver slugger award. He has also been in the top 5 in the league in home runs, ]s, ]s, and ] voting. He is noted for his smooth swing, and for the strength and accuracy of his arm in the ].

			He is also one of the best ]ish major league ballplayers, and the most prominent one with the ] since ] who played right field for the '69 World Champion Mets. Usually, Green misses games on days of ], as he did in 2004 when the Dodgers were in the playoff hunt.<ref>
			- cite news
			- \|url=http:http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2001/0905/1248286.html

	==Childhood==		==Childhood==
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	He spent most of 1993 and 1994 playing in the minors, where he compiled impressive numbers.		He spent most of 1993 and 1994 playing in the minors, where he compiled impressive numbers.

	In 1994, he hit .344 with 13 home runs and 81 RBI for Toronto's AAA affiliate, the ]. He was an ] all-star, was voted the International League ], and was also voted the International League's Best Batting Prospect, Best Outfield Arm, and Most Exciting Player in ]’s Tools of the Trade poll. He also won the ] as the Chief’s ].		In 1994, he hit .344 with 13 home runs and 81 RBI for Toronto's AAA affiliate, the ]. He was an ] all-star, was voted the International League ], and was also voted the International League's Best Batting Prospect, Best Outfield Arm, and Most Exciting Player in ]’s Tools of the Trade poll. He also won the R. Howard Webster Award as the Chief’s ].

	== Early major league career ==		== Early major league career ==

	Green made his Major League debut on ], ], as the second-youngest player in the major leagues.		Green made his Major League debut on ], ], as the second-youngest player in the major leagues. Though he did not get an at-bat in the World Series, he was awarded a World Series ring as the Blue Jays won the World Series.

	In 1995, his full rookie season, Green started slowly but picked up the pace later on as he became more comfortable with Major League pitching. He started in 97 games that season, hitting 15 home runs and batting .288. The 1996 and 1997 seasons were very similar, in that Green had limited at-bats, wasn't trusted to hit left-handed pitching, and continued to produce only in sporadic intervals. He was, however, developing in other ways. He proved to be more aggressive on the base paths in 1997 than in any previous year, and stole 14 bases. He was also developing his upper body strength in hopes of shedding the skinny kid persona that had followed him from the minors.		In 1995, his full rookie season, Green started slowly but picked up the pace later on as he became more comfortable with Major League pitching. He started in 97 games that season, hitting 15 home runs and batting .288. Green set Blue Jays rookie records in doubles (31), hit streak (14), extra base hits (50), and slugging percentage (.509).

			The 1996 and 1997 seasons were very similar, in that Green had limited at-bats, wasn't trusted to hit left-handed pitching, and continued to produce only in sporadic intervals. He was, however, developing in other ways. He proved to be more aggressive on the base paths in 1997 than in any previous year, and stole 14 bases. He was also developing his upper body strength in hopes of shedding the skinny-kid persona that had followed him from the minors.

	== Best years ==		== Best years ==
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	In 1998, for the first time Green was granted an everyday spot in the line-up — right-handed pitcher or left — and he delivered by becoming the first Blue Jay to hit 30 or more home runs and steal 30 or more bases in the same season. The season was beyond what even his strongest apologists over the previous seasons had predicted. Shawn had never hit more than 18 home runs in a season (major or minor leagues), but was now showing signs of becoming a true power hitter. He finished the season batting .278 with 35 home runs, 100 RBI, and 35 stolen bases.		In 1998, for the first time Green was granted an everyday spot in the line-up — right-handed pitcher or left — and he delivered by becoming the first Blue Jay to hit 30 or more home runs and steal 30 or more bases in the same season. The season was beyond what even his strongest apologists over the previous seasons had predicted. Shawn had never hit more than 18 home runs in a season (major or minor leagues), but was now showing signs of becoming a true power hitter. He finished the season batting .278 with 35 home runs, 100 RBI, and 35 stolen bases.

	In 1999, Green proved his new-found power swing was no fluke. On ] he hit a 449-foot home run into ]'s 5th deck, putting him in prestigious company with ], ], and ]. By the ] break he had hit 25 home runs and knocked in 70 runs, earning him not only his first All-Star appearance, but also a chance to compete in the ] at ]. Green hit two home runs, and was eliminated in the first round. He finished the season batting .309 (a career best), with 42 home runs and 123 RBI. He also led the league in doubles with 45, extra-base hits with 87, and in total bases with 361. After the season, he was awarded a ] for his defense and a ] award for his offense, and came in 5th in the ~~voiting~~ for ].		In 1999, Green proved his new-found power swing was no fluke. On ] he hit a 449-foot home run into ]'s 5th deck, putting him in prestigious company with ], ], and ]. By the ] break he had hit 25 home runs and knocked in 70 runs, earning him not only his first All-Star appearance, but also a chance to compete in the ] at ]. Green hit only two home runs, and was eliminated in the first round. He finished the season batting .309 (a career best), with 42 home runs and 123 RBI. He also led the league in doubles with 45, extra-base hits with 87, and in total bases with 361. After the season, he was awarded a ] for his defense and a ] award for his offense, and came in 5th in the voting for ].

	In the off-season, Green expressed a desire to sign with a team closer to his California roots as a free agent after the 2000 season. The Blue Jays, strapped with the rising contract demands of Green and slugger teammate ], decided ~~it was best~~ not to leave the decision of which player to pursue until mid-way through the season. On ], ], Green was traded with ] to the ] for ] and ]. Green was quick to sign an extension with Los Angeles, agreeing to a $84 million/6-year deal that included a $4 million signing bonus.		In the off-season, Green expressed a desire to sign with a team closer to his California roots as a free agent after the 2000 season. The Blue Jays, strapped with the rising contract demands of Green and slugger teammate ], decided not to leave the decision of which player to pursue until mid-way through the season. On ], ], Green was traded with Jorge Nuñez to the ] for ] and ]. Green was quick to sign an extension with Los Angeles, agreeing to a $84 million/6-year deal that included a $4 million signing bonus.

	===Los Angeles Dodgers (2000-05)===		===Los Angeles Dodgers (2000-05)===
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	But Green had a career year in 2001, batting .297 with 49 home runs, 125 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. His 49 home runs were a Dodgers single-season record, but only tied for fourth in the league, behind ], ], and ]. Green came in 6th in the voting for league MVP.		But Green had a career year in 2001, batting .297 with 49 home runs, 125 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. His 49 home runs were a Dodgers single-season record, but only tied for fourth in the league, behind ], ], and ]. Green came in 6th in the voting for league MVP.

			Green made headlines for two decisions that he made during the 2001 season. On September 26th he stood by his word and sat out a game for the first time in 415 games, to honor the most significant holiday on the Jewish calendar, ]. Green said: "I felt like it was the right thing to do .... I didn't do this to gain approval. I thought it was the right example to set for Jewish kids, a lot of whom don't like to go to ]." He also made a second notable decision on September 26 as well, donating his day's pay of $75,000 to a charity for the survivors of the ] ] ] attacks.

	Green started off slowly in 2002, but turned things around with a record-setting power display. On ], the turning point of his season, he hit a Major League record-tying four home runs against the ] and had 19 ], breaking ]'s Major League record by one. He hit a fifth home run during the following game to tie the Major League two-game home run record, and then hit two more the game after to break the Major League three-game record. Green also broke the National League record with nine home runs in that calendar week. He was voted to the All-Star team, and finished the season with a .285 average, 42 home runs, 114 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. His home run total was good for 3rd in the league, he had the 4th most RBIs in the league, and he was 5th in the league with 22 intentional walks.		Green started off slowly in 2002, but turned things around with a record-setting power display. On ], the turning point of his season, he hit a Major League record-tying four home runs against the ] and had 19 ], breaking ]'s Major League record by one. He hit a fifth home run during the following game to tie the Major League two-game home run record, and then hit two more the game after to break the Major League three-game record. Green also broke the National League record with nine home runs in that calendar week. He was voted to the All-Star team, and finished the season with a .285 average, 42 home runs, 114 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. His home run total was good for 3rd in the league, he had the 4th most RBIs in the league, and he was 5th in the league with 22 intentional walks.

	In 2003, Green struggled throughout the ~~whole~~ season. He had problems with his shoulder, which limited him to a ] of .280, with 19 home runs and 85 RBI.		In 2003, Green struggled throughout the season. He had problems with his shoulder, which limited him to a ] of .280, with 19 home runs and 85 RBI.

	Green improved slightly in 2004 as he batted .266, hit 28 home runs, and collected 86 RBI, leading the Dodgers into the 2004 ]. But Green moved to first base for much of 2004 season.		Green improved slightly in 2004 as he batted .266, hit 28 home runs, and collected 86 RBI, leading the Dodgers into the 2004 ]. But Green moved to first base for much of 2004 season.
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	===Arizona Diamondbacks (2005-06)===		===Arizona Diamondbacks (2005-06)===

	In 2005 Green was traded to the ]. At first, the trade was in ~~serious~~ jeopardy because Green had a no-trade clause, which he said he would waive only if he received an extension from the ]. Finally, on ], ], Green received an extension for 3/$32 ]<!--three-year extension at $32M? needs clarification-->. The next day the trade went through. It was a part of a three-team trade which sent Green and cash to the ] in exchange for ] and three minor leaguers.		In 2005 Green was traded to the ]. At first, the trade was in jeopardy because Green had a no-trade clause, which he said he would waive only if he received an extension from the ]. Finally, on ], ], Green received an extension for 3/$32 ]<!--three-year extension at $32M? needs clarification-->. The next day the trade went through. It was a part of a three-team trade which sent Green and cash to the ] in exchange for ] and three minor leaguers.

	On ], ], Green was dealt, along with $6.5 million in cash by the ] to the ] for minor league pitcher Evan MacLane.		On ], ], Green was dealt, along with $6.5 million in cash by the ] to the ] for minor league pitcher Evan MacLane.
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	==Non-Baseball Career==		==Non-Baseball Career==
	* Green made a cameo appearance on the series premiere of the hit show '']'', while he was a ].		* Green made a cameo appearance on the series premiere of the hit show '']'', while he was a ].

			==Miscellaneous==
			Green has as a pet a male ] named Izzy.

			Green's favorite book is “].”

			Green assists several charities, including Juvenile Diabetes, Special Olympics, and Jewish Foundations.

	==References==		==References==

Revision as of 19:08, 23 August 2006

Baseball player

Shawn Green
New York Mets
Right fielder
Bats: LeftThrows: Left
debut
September 28, 1993, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through August 15th, 2006)
AVG	.283
OBP	.356
HR	313
Stats at Baseball Reference

Former teams
Toronto Blue Jays(1993-1999) Los Angeles Dodgers(2000-2004) Arizona Diamondbacks(2005-2006)

Shawn David Green (born November 10, 1972, in Des Plaines, Illinois) is a left-handed power hitter in Major League Baseball, who plays for the New York Mets. He is noted for his swing, and for the strength and accuracy of his arm in the outfield. He is also one of the most notable Jewish ball players. Usually, Green misses games on days of Yom Kippur, as he did in 2004 when the Dodgers were in the playoff hunt.

Green is a 1st round draft pick who in the major leagues has been a two-time All-Star, has led the league in doubles, extra base hits, and total bases, set the Dodgers single-season record in home runs, and has won both a gold glove award and a silver slugger award. He has also been in the top 5 in the league in home runs, RBIs, intentional walks, and MVP voting. He is noted for his smooth swing, and for the strength and accuracy of his arm in the outfield.

He is also one of the best Jewish major league ballplayers, and the most prominent one with the Mets since Art Shamsky who played right field for the '69 World Champion Mets. Usually, Green misses games on days of Yom Kippur, as he did in 2004 when the Dodgers were in the playoff hunt.<ref> - cite news - |url=http:http://espn.go.com/mlb/news/2001/0905/1248286.html

Childhood

Green attended Tustin High School in San Jose, California, where he tied the California Interscholastic Federation hit record with 147 during his senior year, and was a first team selection to the 1991 USA Today All-USA high school team.

In 1991 Green won a baseball scholarship to Stanford University, and started there in the Fall of that year, but he was also drafted by the Blue Jay’s as their 1st round pick and 16th overall and ultimately struck a deal with the Jays. He played ball in the summer in the Minor Leagues, but went back to finish his schooling in the off season.

Green received one of the highest signing bonuses at that time, a portion of which he donated to the Metropolitan Toronto Housing Authority Breakfast Club which provides breakfast for kids that normally go to school hungry.

Minor league career

Shawn Green was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 1st round (16th pick) of the 1991 amateur draft.

In 1992 Green played for the Dunedin Blue Jays of the Florida State League, and was selected to the league's all-star team.

He spent most of 1993 and 1994 playing in the minors, where he compiled impressive numbers.

In 1994, he hit .344 with 13 home runs and 81 RBI for Toronto's AAA affiliate, the Syracuse Sky Chiefs. He was an International League all-star, was voted the International League Rookie of the Year, and was also voted the International League's Best Batting Prospect, Best Outfield Arm, and Most Exciting Player in Baseball America’s Tools of the Trade poll. He also won the R. Howard Webster Award as the Chief’s MVP.

Early major league career

Green made his Major League debut on September 28, 1993, as the second-youngest player in the major leagues. Though he did not get an at-bat in the World Series, he was awarded a World Series ring as the Blue Jays won the World Series.

In 1995, his full rookie season, Green started slowly but picked up the pace later on as he became more comfortable with Major League pitching. He started in 97 games that season, hitting 15 home runs and batting .288. Green set Blue Jays rookie records in doubles (31), hit streak (14), extra base hits (50), and slugging percentage (.509).

The 1996 and 1997 seasons were very similar, in that Green had limited at-bats, wasn't trusted to hit left-handed pitching, and continued to produce only in sporadic intervals. He was, however, developing in other ways. He proved to be more aggressive on the base paths in 1997 than in any previous year, and stole 14 bases. He was also developing his upper body strength in hopes of shedding the skinny-kid persona that had followed him from the minors.

Best years

Toronto Blue Jays (1998-99)

In 1998, for the first time Green was granted an everyday spot in the line-up — right-handed pitcher or left — and he delivered by becoming the first Blue Jay to hit 30 or more home runs and steal 30 or more bases in the same season. The season was beyond what even his strongest apologists over the previous seasons had predicted. Shawn had never hit more than 18 home runs in a season (major or minor leagues), but was now showing signs of becoming a true power hitter. He finished the season batting .278 with 35 home runs, 100 RBI, and 35 stolen bases.

In 1999, Green proved his new-found power swing was no fluke. On April 22 he hit a 449-foot home run into SkyDome's 5th deck, putting him in prestigious company with José Canseco, Mark McGwire, and Joe Carter. By the All-Star break he had hit 25 home runs and knocked in 70 runs, earning him not only his first All-Star appearance, but also a chance to compete in the Home Run Derby at Fenway Park. Green hit only two home runs, and was eliminated in the first round. He finished the season batting .309 (a career best), with 42 home runs and 123 RBI. He also led the league in doubles with 45, extra-base hits with 87, and in total bases with 361. After the season, he was awarded a gold glove for his defense and a silver slugger award for his offense, and came in 5th in the voting for MVP.

In the off-season, Green expressed a desire to sign with a team closer to his California roots as a free agent after the 2000 season. The Blue Jays, strapped with the rising contract demands of Green and slugger teammate Carlos Delgado, decided not to leave the decision of which player to pursue until mid-way through the season. On November 8, 1999, Green was traded with Jorge Nuñez to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Pedro Borbón, Jr. and Raúl Mondesí. Green was quick to sign an extension with Los Angeles, agreeing to a $84 million/6-year deal that included a $4 million signing bonus.

Los Angeles Dodgers (2000-05)

With a lot of pressure riding on his now well-paid shoulders, he struggled in 2000, his first season with Los Angeles. Still, he lead the league in games played., with 162.

But Green had a career year in 2001, batting .297 with 49 home runs, 125 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. His 49 home runs were a Dodgers single-season record, but only tied for fourth in the league, behind Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Luis González. Green came in 6th in the voting for league MVP.

Green made headlines for two decisions that he made during the 2001 season. On September 26th he stood by his word and sat out a game for the first time in 415 games, to honor the most significant holiday on the Jewish calendar, Yom Kippur. Green said: "I felt like it was the right thing to do .... I didn't do this to gain approval. I thought it was the right example to set for Jewish kids, a lot of whom don't like to go to synagogue." He also made a second notable decision on September 26 as well, donating his day's pay of $75,000 to a charity for the survivors of the New York 9/11 terrorist attacks.

Green started off slowly in 2002, but turned things around with a record-setting power display. On May 23, the turning point of his season, he hit a Major League record-tying four home runs against the Milwaukee Brewers and had 19 total bases, breaking Joe Adcock's Major League record by one. He hit a fifth home run during the following game to tie the Major League two-game home run record, and then hit two more the game after to break the Major League three-game record. Green also broke the National League record with nine home runs in that calendar week. He was voted to the All-Star team, and finished the season with a .285 average, 42 home runs, 114 RBI, and 20 stolen bases. His home run total was good for 3rd in the league, he had the 4th most RBIs in the league, and he was 5th in the league with 22 intentional walks.

In 2003, Green struggled throughout the season. He had problems with his shoulder, which limited him to a batting average of .280, with 19 home runs and 85 RBI.

Green improved slightly in 2004 as he batted .266, hit 28 home runs, and collected 86 RBI, leading the Dodgers into the 2004 playoffs. But Green moved to first base for much of 2004 season.

Arizona Diamondbacks (2005-06)

In 2005 Green was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks. At first, the trade was in jeopardy because Green had a no-trade clause, which he said he would waive only if he received an extension from the Arizona Diamondbacks. Finally, on June 10, 2005, Green received an extension for 3/$32 million. The next day the trade went through. It was a part of a three-team trade which sent Green and cash to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for Dioner Navarro and three minor leaguers.

On August 22, 2006, Green was dealt, along with $6.5 million in cash by the Arizona Diamondbacks to the New York Mets for minor league pitcher Evan MacLane.

New York Mets (2006- )

The Mets expect Green to bolster their outfield as they head towards the major league postseason.

Preceded byMike Cameron

Batters with 4 home runs in one game
May 23, 2002

Succeeded byCarlos Delgado

Accomplishments

American League Gold Glove Award (1999)
Finished 5th in National League MVP voting (2002)
Finished 6th in National League MVP voting (2001)
Finished 9th in American League MVP voting (1999)
Member of the 30-30 club (1998)
Holds Dodgers record for most home runs in a season (2001, 49 home runs)
Hit four home runs in a game (May 23, 2002)
Holds record for total bases in a game (May 23, 2002, with 19)
Hit a home run into the upper deck of SkyDome (April 22, 1999)

Salaries

1993 Toronto Blue Jays $109,000
1994 Toronto Blue Jays $109,000
1995 Toronto Blue Jays $130,000
1996 Toronto Blue Jays $287,500
1997 Toronto Blue Jays $500,000
1998 Toronto Blue Jays $1,475,000
1999 Toronto Blue Jays $3,125,000
2000 Los Angeles Dodgers $9,416,667
2001 Los Angeles Dodgers $12,166,667
2002 Los Angeles Dodgers $13,416,667
2003 Los Angeles Dodgers $15,666,667
2004 Los Angeles Dodgers $16,666,667
2005 Arizona Diamondbacks $8,500,000

Teams

Non-Baseball Career

Green made a cameo appearance on the series premiere of the hit show Numb3rs, while he was a Los Angeles Dodger.

Miscellaneous

Green has as a pet a male Japanese Chin named Izzy.

Green's favorite book is “Siddhartha.”

Green assists several charities, including Juvenile Diabetes, Special Olympics, and Jewish Foundations.

References

"Green to sit out on Yom Kippur". ESPN/Alan Schwarz. September 5, 2001.

External links

Career statistics from Baseball Reference
Fan Biography
ESPN.com: Shawn Green
Shawn Green on The Internet Movie Database

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