Jump to content

Bubba Crosby

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Not to be confused withBobby Crosby.

Bubba Crosby
Outfielder
Born:(1976-08-11)August 11, 1976(age 48)
Bellaire, Texas,U.S.
Batted:Left
Threw:Left
MLB debut
May 29, 2003, for the Los Angeles Dodgers
Last MLB appearance
August 3, 2006, for the New York Yankees
MLB statistics
Batting average.216
Home runs4
Runs batted in20
Teams

Richard Stephen"Bubba"Crosby(born August 11, 1976) is an American formerprofessional baseballoutfielderwho played inMajor League Baseballfor theLos Angeles Dodgersand theNew York Yankeesfrom 2003 to 2006.

Name

[edit]

He became Bubba when he was born and his 15-month-old sister, Charmin, could not say "brother". The name stuck. But as he said, "almost everyone in Texas is Bubba when you're growing up." He said when he got to be dating age, "I tried to change it in school, call myself Richard, but kids would call for me and ask for Richard, and my parents would burst out laughing and say, 'You mean Bubba?'"[1]

High school and college

[edit]

Crosby was a star atbaseballpowerhouseBellaire High SchoolinBellaire, Texas,from 1991 to 1995. He won a Texas 5-A sports state high school championship with Bellaire.[2]His pitching coach wasRay Knoblach,father of major leaguerChuck Knoblauch.[3]

Crosby attendedRice Universityand playedcollege baseballfor theRice Owlsfrom 1996 to 1998. He earnedAll-Americanhonors in 1997 and 1998. In 1998, he hit 25home runsand drove in 91runsin only 221at bats,and batted.394 with a.504on-base percentageand a.828slugging percentage.He also had a 30-gamehitting streak.[4]He is the all-time Rice leader with 20 careertriples,and 2nd with 59 home runs, 243RBIs,499total bases,and a.737 slugging percentage, trailing onlyLance Berkmanin each category. In 2015, he was inducted into the Rice Athletics Hall of Fame.[5]

Professional career

[edit]

Los Angeles Dodgers (1998–2003)

[edit]

TheLos Angeles Dodgersselected Crosby in the first round with the 23rd overall selection of the1998 Major League Baseball draft.

His best seasons in the minors in the Dodgers' system were 1999 (.296 with 19stolen basesin A+ ball), 2000 (27 stolen bases in A+ ball), 2001 (.302 with 22 stolen bases in Double-A), and 2003 (.361 in Triple-A).

Crosby was finally called up by the Dodgers in 2003, while he was batting.361 with a.410 on-base percentage and.635 slugging percentage (1.045 OPS) in AAA. Nevertheless, he still struggled to find significant time in the majors as the Dodgers favoredRickey Hendersonin a reserve role over him. Following a dozenat batsin Los Angeles, he was traded to theNew York Yankeeson July 31, 2003, along withScott ProctorforRobin Ventura.[6][7]

New York Yankees (2004–06)

[edit]

Crosby played primarily as a starting outfielder (mostly in RF—where he has never made anerrorin the Major Leagues—and CF) for the Yankees.

2004

[edit]

In 2004, after having made the team due to a strong spring training performance in which he hit.385 with two home runs and eleven RBIs,[8]Crosby gained a large amount of media and fan attention when, in his first series against theChicago White Sox,he hit two home runs with five RBI in first five at-bats and made a diving catch.[9]Notably, the first home run came in his first at bat as a Yankee and the second securedMike Mussina's 200th career win.[10]Nevertheless, upon the return of outfielderKenny Loftonfrom the disabled list, Crosby was sent down to minors.[11]He would be called up several times.[12]Crosby ultimately received only 53 at-bats on the season, hitting.151 overall. He made both theALDSandALCSrosters as a reserve outfielder and pinch runner.[13][14]

2005

[edit]

In 2005, Crosby performed well in spring training again and made the team for the second year in a row.[15]However, he again found difficulty staying in the majors throughout the season.[16][17]By July 20, he had only started two games.[18]Crosby returned to the Yankees wearing jersey number 18 because his previous number, 19, had been assigned to the newly acquiredAl Leiter.[19]

Crosby's season made a dramatic turn for the better in the final month of the season, however. After having worked withDon Mattinglyto shorten his swing, Crosby finished his 2005 season with the strongest performance of his career.[20]He hit.321 in September 23 games while consistently starting and.345 (20 for 58) over his final 31 games of the season. On September 19, 2005, in his first start of the year against a left-handed pitcher, he hit his career firstwalk-off home run,againstEric DuBoseof theBaltimore Orioles,leading off the bottom of the 9th inning by sending abreaking ballover the right-center field fence.[21]

On October 10, 2005, Crosby, after having started several postseason games, was involved in a collision in Game 5 of the2005 ALDSagainst theLos Angeles Angels of Anaheim.With the Yankees up 2–1, the Angels had runners on first and second with two outs whenAdam Kennedyhit a pitch offMike Mussinadeep into right-center. Crosby and right-fielderGary Sheffieldcollided while trying to catch the ball, allowing two runs to score and give the Angels a 3–2 lead. The Angels would go on to win the game 5–3 and continue to the ALCS.[22][23]Crosby finished the season having hit.276 over 76 games.

2006

[edit]

During the offseason, Yankees general managerBrian Cashmaninitially stated that Crosby would be the Yankees starting center fielder in 2006.[24]Nevertheless, upon the large signing ofJohnny Damonin December,[25]he was again put in a reserve role and ceded his number 18 to Damon. Though he again made the team's opening roster, he lost almost a month on the 15 Day Disabled list from mid-May to June.[26][27]After having appeared in 65 games, on August 4, 2006, Crosby wasdesignated for assignmentby the Yankees.[28]He cleared waivers on August 9, however, and reported back to the Clippers, remaining in the Yankee organization.[29]He became a 6-year Minor League free agent after the season.

Cincinnati Reds (2007)

[edit]

On November 10, 2006, theCincinnati Redssigned Crosby for the 2007 season.[30]Crosby agreed to a one-year contract that paid $400,000 while he was in the majors, and $75,000 in the minors.[31]"We're getting a guy that's been on winning teams, that plays the game the right way, that always plays it hard and can play all three outfield positions," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "We're happy to have him."[32]

Crosby hit.276 in 16 games in spring training with 1 homer and 7 RBI. Crosby was sent to the Triple-A affiliateLouisville Batson March 24, 2007.[33]"We just felt he was behind a couple of other guys for that spot," Krivsky said.[34]Louisville placed Crosby on thedisabled listafter 13 games. The diagnosis was left shoulder tendinitis. Conservative treatment was unsuccessful, and on July 20, inCincinnati,he had season-ending surgery on his shoulder. The Reds granted Crosby free agency in October 2007.

Seattle Mariners (2008)

[edit]

On February 19, 2008, Crosby signed a minor league contract with theSeattle Mariners.[35]On March 7, he was released for failing a physical. The reason for his failure was not disclosed. He has since retired from baseball.

Awards

[edit]
  • 1996 - Freshman 1st-Team All-American OF
  • 1997 - Summer League 1st-Team All-American OF
  • 1997 -Western Athletic ConferenceAll-Star OF
  • 1998 - 1st-Team College All-American OF
  • 1998 - Western Athletic Conference All-Star OF
  • 2001 -Southern LeagueAll-Star OF
  • 2003 -Pacific Coast LeaguePlayer of the Month, May
  • 2003 - Pacific Coast League All-Star OF
  • 2004 - James Dawson Award (given to the top rookie at the Yankees spring training camp)

References

[edit]
  1. ^Flash of Yankee Pride,ESPN
  2. ^League, University Interscholastic."1993-1994 5A Baseball State Results — Baseball — University Interscholastic League (UIL)".www.uiltexas.org.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  3. ^Curry, Jack (April 17, 2004)."BASEBALL; Coach Unites Current Yankee Underdog With One of the Team's Former Stars".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  4. ^"College baseball: We picked Rice's all-time starting nine | NCAA.com".www.ncaa.com.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  5. ^"Rice Athletics Hall of Fame Inductees".Rice University Development.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  6. ^Kepner, Tyler (April 3, 2005)."Crosby, 28, brings youthful perspective to Yankees".SFGATE.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  7. ^Reid, Jason (August 1, 2003)."They Need Bat Man, Get Robin".Los Angeles Times.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  8. ^"Yanks roster set, Bubba makes it | MLB.com: News".February 4, 2009. Archived from the original on February 4, 2009.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  9. ^Lofton, Williams Likely to Displace Crosby,ESPN
  10. ^BASEBALL; Big Hit With Yankee Fans, Crosby Hits Homer and Wall,New York Times,April 12, 2004
  11. ^Morrissey, Michael (May 3, 2004)."LOFTON'S BACK, SO BUBBA'S SENT OUT".New York Post.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  12. ^"Yankees place Giambi on DL with ankle injury".ESPN.com.May 22, 2004.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  13. ^Kepner, Tyler (October 2, 2004)."Giambi Seems to Be Part of Torre's Plan".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  14. ^"Giambi sure bet to make Yanks' postseason roster".Times Herald-Record.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  15. ^"Wright to be passed".Times Herald-Record.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  16. ^Kepner, Tyler (June 25, 2005)."BASEBALL: NOTEBOOK; Back Pain May Be Causing Johnson to Struggle".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  17. ^"Shakeup victims: Yanks cut relievers Stanton, Quantrill".ESPN.com.June 30, 2005.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  18. ^Kepner, Tyler (July 20, 2005)."Yanks Get Gift, Then Give It Back".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  19. ^"Yankees boost staff with Leiter | The Spokesman-Review".www.spokesman.com.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  20. ^Lewis, Brian (September 21, 2005)."BUBBA HURTS ORIOLES AGAIN".RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  21. ^Crosby Show and Yanks Win Emmy For Drama,New York Times,September 20, 2009
  22. ^Bondy, Filip (October 11, 2005)."BRONX BUNGLERS COLLIDE IN OF".New York Daily News.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  23. ^"Angels hold off Yankees".Gainesville Sun.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  24. ^Kepner, Tyler (December 2005)."BASEBALL; Yankees Put Crosby in Center of Plans".The New York Times.
  25. ^"Yankees snatch Damon away from rival Red Sox".ESPN.com.December 21, 2005.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  26. ^"Rangers 6-2 Yankees (May 18, 2006) Game Recap".ESPN.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  27. ^By (June 16, 2006)."TRANSACTIONS".Hartford Courant.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  28. ^King III, George A. (August 5, 2006)."BOMBERS SAY BYE TO BUBBA".New York Post.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  29. ^Kepner, Tyler (August 10, 2006)."After Limping in the Outfield, Damon Leaves After Three Innings".The New York Times.ISSN0362-4331.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  30. ^Rosecrans, C. Trent (February 21, 2007)."Crosby likes Reds' camaraderie".The Cincinnati Post.E. W. Scripps Company.Archived fromthe originalon September 30, 2007.
  31. ^"Reds and Crosby agree to one-year deal".ESPN.com.November 10, 2006.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
  32. ^Sheldon, Mark (October 22, 2007)."Reds sign former Yankee Crosby".MLB.com.Archived fromthe originalon October 22, 2007.
  33. ^"Reds outright Crosby to minors".WANE TV. 2007. Archived fromthe originalon September 28, 2007.RetrievedJune 2,2014.
  34. ^Sheldon, Mark (October 22, 2007)."Notes: Crosby outrighted to Louisville".MLB.com.Archived from the original on October 22, 2007.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.{{cite web}}:CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  35. ^"Sports Scoreboard: Wednesday, February 20, 2008".The Oklahoman.RetrievedNovember 19,2023.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bubba_Crosby&oldid=1234602378"