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Remember the days of ol’
when backup catchers were either budding stars or over-the-hill guys waiting to
retire to first base? That all changed with David Ross, who has found the secret to staying in the big leagues despite being a No. 3 catcher with a career batting average
of…wait for it – .239.
David Ross, in his 10th
Major League Baseball season and with his sixth team (Atlanta Braves), has
single-handedly redefined the role of backup catcher.
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| The swing that has kept David Ross in the Majors is captured in his 2002 Rookie Card. |
When Ross was coming up
through the Los Angeles Dodgers organization, he was a mediocre prospect with
limited expectations. In 2002, the Dodgers
needed a backstop and this was his opportunity to seize the moment. Ross not
only seized the moment, he seized the decade.
To Ross' credit (insert
sarcasm), at the time he made it to the Dodger's roster, he was battling for
the starting position with three other guys: 34-year old Brent Mayne, 33-year
old Todd Hundley and Koyie Hill (recently released by the Nationals). Hey,
where are they now? Not with David Ross in the bigs that’s for sure.
Here’ why David Ross is so
extremely righteous…
MLB Career Totals (as of
August 11, 2012)
AB: 1635
Hits: 390
HR: 81
RBI: 239
BB: 207
SO: 497
AVE: .239
AB: 1635
Hits: 390
HR: 81
RBI: 239
BB: 207
SO: 497
AVE: .239
The traveling will not
bury
Teams:
Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-2004)*
Pittsburgh Pirates (2005)*
San Diego Padres (2005)
Cincinnati Reds (2006-2008)
Boston Red Sox (2008)
Atlanta Braves (2009-Present)
*Denotes Jim Tracy at the helm (I hope Ross sends Tracy a bouquet of flowers every day).
Los Angeles Dodgers (2002-2004)*
Pittsburgh Pirates (2005)*
San Diego Padres (2005)
Cincinnati Reds (2006-2008)
Boston Red Sox (2008)
Atlanta Braves (2009-Present)
*Denotes Jim Tracy at the helm (I hope Ross sends Tracy a bouquet of flowers every day).
Interesting Stat:
Ross’ first career home run came off of Arizona Diamondback first baseman, 38-year old Mark Grace, who came in to pitch because the Dodgers were winning 18-0. Did Ross really need to do that? Yes he did because without it, he would only have 80 homeruns today instead of 81.
Ross’ first career home run came off of Arizona Diamondback first baseman, 38-year old Mark Grace, who came in to pitch because the Dodgers were winning 18-0. Did Ross really need to do that? Yes he did because without it, he would only have 80 homeruns today instead of 81.
Cashing in:
MLB teams may be attractive to Ross because of his accommodating salary requirements. In 2004, he was more than fine with taking $310,000 a year from the Dodgers and $500,000 from the Reds in 2006. Ross should be OK with taking less than the $1,625,000 he's been pulling in for the past two years with the Braves.
MLB teams may be attractive to Ross because of his accommodating salary requirements. In 2004, he was more than fine with taking $310,000 a year from the Dodgers and $500,000 from the Reds in 2006. Ross should be OK with taking less than the $1,625,000 he's been pulling in for the past two years with the Braves.
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