Miguel Montero | |
---|---|
![]() Montero with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 | |
Catcher | |
Born: Caracas, Venezuela | July 9, 1983|
Batted: Left Threw: Right | |
MLB debut | |
September 6, 2006, for the Arizona Diamondbacks | |
Last MLB appearance | |
April 5, 2018, for the Washington Nationals | |
MLB statistics | |
Batting average | .256 |
Home runs | 126 |
Runs batted in | 550 |
Stats at Baseball Reference | |
Teams | |
Career highlights and awards | |
|
Miguel Angel Montero Fernandez (born July 9,1983) is a Venezuelan-American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks,Chicago Cubs,Toronto Blue Jays,and Washington Nationals. Montero is a two-time MLB All-Star.
The Arizona Diamondbacks signed Montero as an undrafted free agent in 2001 for a $13,000 signing bonus. [1]
Since his arrival in the United States,Montero was coached by veteran manager and former catcher Bill Plummer throughout his time with the Diamondbacks organization.
Montero made his major league debut on September 6,2006,against the Florida Marlins. He went hitless in his first game,as Aníbal Sánchez of the Marlins threw a no-hitter against the Diamondbacks. Montero played in a total of six games that year,recording a .250 batting average.
In 2007 and 2008,Montero platooned with Chris Snyder at the catching position for the D-Backs and batted a .224 average with 10 home runs in 2007 and batting .255 with five home runs in 2008.
Montero began the 2009 season slowly,hitting just three home runs and having just a .200 batting average through the first two months. However,when Snyder was put on the disabled list in June,Montero's playing time increased markedly and he finished the season with a career-high .294 batting average.
Montero caught Edwin Jackson's no-hitter on June 25,2010. [2] He finished the season with a .266 batting average and nine home runs.
In 2011,after hitting .272 with 10 home runs and 45 RBI,Montero was selected to his first All-Star Game. He also threw out 40% of baserunners trying to steal,a career high.
Montero was named to his second All-Star game in July 2014,replacing the injured Yadier Molina for the National League. [3]
Following the 2014 season,the Diamondbacks traded Montero to the Chicago Cubs for minor leaguers Jeferson Mejia and Zack Godley. [4] [5] Before a hand injury in mid-July,Montero had appeared in 73 games for the Cubs with 217 at bats. He had 10 home runs and 32 runs-batted-in with a batting average of .230. On August 30,2015,Montero caught Jake Arrieta's no-hitter against the Los Angeles Dodgers. [6]
During Game 1 of the 2016 NLCS,Montero hit a pinch-hit grand slam in the 8th inning to break a 3–3 tie and led the Cubs to an 8–4 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was the third pinch-hit grand slam in postseason history. Montero entered Game 7 of the 2016 World Series in the bottom of the 9th inning as a defensive replacement for Cubs backup catcher David Ross. In the top of the 10th inning,having batted only .091 (1-for-11) in the postseason to that point,Montero hit a single to left field which drove in Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo and improved the team's lead to 8–6. Since the Cleveland Indians only scored one run in the bottom of the 10th inning to make the score 8–7,Montero's RBI provided the game's decisive run and sealed the Cubs' victory. [7] After the series,Montero expressed his disappointment in losing playing time to Willson Contreras and David Ross. [8]
In a game on June 27,2017,the Washington Nationals went seven-for-seven in stolen bases against Montero. After the game,he said that it was the fault of pitcher Jake Arrieta,who took too long to deliver his pitches and failed to hold the runners at their bases. [9] The next day,the Cubs designated Montero for assignment. [10] Montero apologized to Arrieta after the incident. It was reported this was done because management felt he was a disruption in the clubhouse;Anthony Rizzo considered Montero's comments to the media unprofessional. [11]
On July 3,2017,Montero was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays for cash considerations or a player to be named later. [12] He was placed on the disabled list with a groin strain on August 4. [13] After a one-game rehab assignment with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons,Montero was activated on August 16. [14]
On February 1,2018,Montero signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. [15] He was added to the major-league roster on March 27,2018. [16] After Montero appeared in four games for Washington and went 0-for-11 at the plate, [17] the Nationals designated him for assignment on April 11,2018. [18] He was released on April 14,2018. [19]
On December 10,2018,Montero announced his retirement. [20] [21]
He was selected Venezuela national baseball team at the 2013 World Baseball Classic.
Montero is married to Vanessa. [22] Together,in 2017,the couple created the Miguel and Vanessa Montero Foundation,which aims to provide medical assistance to seriously ill children from Venezuela. [23] On May 1,2017,Montero and his wife both became United States citizens. [24]
Montero grew up in Venezuela,the youngest of three children. He credits his parents with encouraging him to stay positive and always try. [25]
Henry Ramón Blanco is a Venezuelan professional baseball coach and former player. He is currently the catching and strategy coach for the Washington Nationals. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1997 to 2013, appearing for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners. He later served as quality assurance coach for the Cubs. Although a light-hitting player, he was regarded as one of the best defensive catchers of his era.
Robert Earl Brenly is an American baseball sportscaster and a former professional baseball player, coach and manager. He played the majority of his Major League Baseball career as a catcher with the San Francisco Giants. After retiring as a player, Brenly worked as a broadcaster with the Chicago Cubs, then as a coach with the Giants, then as a broadcaster for Fox. He was hired to manage the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2001 season, and won the franchise's only championship his first year, becoming the fourth rookie manager to win a World Series and first since 1961. In 2004, Brenly was released by the Diamondbacks and again became a broadcaster with the Cubs until 2012. He now serves as a color commentator for Diamondbacks broadcasts.
Taylor Hill Teagarden is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2008 to 2015 for the Texas Rangers, Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs.
José Manuel Lobatón is a Venezuelan former professional baseball catcher. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Diego Padres, Tampa Bay Rays, Washington Nationals, New York Mets, and Chicago Cubs.
Christopher Brockett Coghlan is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Florida / Miami Marlins, Oakland Athletics, and Toronto Blue Jays. Coghlan was the National League Rookie of the Year in 2009.
Welington Andrés Castillo, nicknamed "Beef" after Beef Wellington, is a Dominican former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Seattle Mariners, Arizona Diamondbacks, Baltimore Orioles, and Chicago White Sox.
Matthew Francis Szczur is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the Chicago Cubs in 2014 and also played for the San Diego Padres. Prior to his pro baseball career, Szczur played football and baseball at Villanova University, winning MVP of the 2009 FCS National Championship Game.
Timothy Joseph Federowicz ( feh-deh-ROH-vitch; born August 5, 1987) is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, and Texas Rangers. He currently serves as the manager for the Norfolk Tides
James Benjamin "Tuffy" Gosewisch, is an American former professional baseball catcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Seattle Mariners. Prior to beginning his professional career, he played college baseball at Arizona State University. Gosewisch has also competed for the United States national baseball team.
Ednel Javier "Javy" Báez, nicknamed "El Mago", is a Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs and New York Mets.
The 2015 Chicago Cubs season was the 144th season for the franchise, the 140th in the National League and the 100th at Wrigley Field. The Cubs were managed by Joe Maddon in his first year as Cubs manager and played their home games at Wrigley Field as members of the National League Central.
Carson Franklin Kelly is an American professional baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, and Texas Rangers.
Willson Eduardo Contreras is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman and catcher for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs.
The 2016 Chicago Cubs season was the 145th season of the Chicago Cubs franchise, the 141st in the National League and the Cubs' 101st season at Wrigley Field. The Cubs were managed by Joe Maddon in his second year as Cubs manager, and played their home games at Wrigley Field as members of the National League Central.
Ildemaro José Vargas Barreto is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Washington Nationals.
José Rafael Ruiz Aparicio is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, and Arizona Diamondbacks.
Andrew Robert Knizner is an American professional baseball catcher in the Washington Nationals organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals and Texas Rangers.
David C. Bote is an American professional baseball infielder in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs.
Bernardo Sebastian Zavala is an American professional baseball catcher in the Boston Red Sox organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Seattle Mariners.
Ali Miguel Sánchez is a Venezuelan professional baseball catcher in the Toronto Blue Jays organization. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Mets, St. Louis Cardinals and Miami Marlins.