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Revision as of 01:20, 19 October 2006 by STBot (talk | contribs) (clean up using AWB)(diff) ← Previous revision | Latest revision (diff) | Newer revision → (diff) Baseball player| Juan Pierre | |
|---|---|
| Chicago Cubs – No. 9 | |
| Center field | |
| Bats: LeftThrows: Left | |
| debut | |
| August 7, 2000, for the Colorado Rockies | |
| Career statistics (through October 12, 2006) | |
| Avg | .303 |
| Stolen bases | 325 |
| RBI | 287 |
| Hits | 1,244 |
Stats at Baseball Reference  | |
| Former teams | |
| |
Juan D'Vaughn Pierre (born August 14, 1977 in Mobile, Alabama), is a professional baseball center fielder for the Chicago Cubs. He bats and throws left-handed.
Juan became a fan favorite early in his career because of his speed, durability and work ethic. He led the National League in stolen bases in 2001 and 2003 and stole at least 45 bases each year from 2001 to 2005; because of his great speed and ability for contact hitting, many believe he is one of the best leadoff hitters in baseball. Critics are quick to point out that, in contrast to a prototypical leadoff hitter, Pierre rarely walks and must hit for a high average to sustain a high on-base percentage, which Pierre has not accomplished since 2004. In 2004, he led the National League in at-bats (for the second year in a row) with 678; in hits, with 221; and in triples, with 12. In addition, he was the only player in Major League Baseball to play every inning of each of his team's games in 2004.
Juan was a major contributor to the Marlins' 2003 World Series championship. After a regular season in which he posted a .305 batting average and 65 stolen bases, he batted .333 in the World Series and .301 overall in his first postseason.
In a seven-year career, Pierre has batted .303 with twelve home runs, 287 RBI, and 325 stolen bases in 1007 games.
On June 3, 2005, Pierre's consecutive-games streak ended at 386 (including 375 after joining the Marlins). It was the second-longest such streak in the majors at the time, behind that of Miguel Tejada of the Baltimore Orioles.
On December 7, 2005, the Florida Marlins traded Pierre to the Chicago Cubs, receiving RHP Sergio Mitre, RHP Ricky Nolasco and LHP Renyel Pinto in exchange. The deal was motivated by the Marlins' need to cut payroll after finding itself unable to secure a new stadium deal in South Florida.
In 2006, despite batting only .292, Pierre led the NL with 204 hits, winning his 2nd hit title, along with leading the league in at-bats with 699. (He led the NL with 221 hits in 2004.)
Pierre began his professional career with the Portland Rockies of the Northwest League after being drafted by Colorado in the 13th round of the 1998 MLB Draft. He won the league batting and stolen base titles in his first professional season, and was a fan favorite even at that level. Prior to his professional career he played at University of South Alabama and Galveston Junior College.
Accomplishments
- Member of 2003 World Series champion Florida Marlins, and was named the Marlins most valuable player by the South Chapter of the Baseball Writers Association of America
- Received the Cool Papa Bell Award from the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in 2003
Trivia
- Led the National League in stolen bases in 2001 (46) and 2003 (65)
- Pierre was the only player in baseball to play every inning of all his team's games, and was only the 3rd player to do it since 1971.
- On May 9, 2006, Pierre robbed the San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds of a career 714th home run by catching the ball as it topped the fence, which would have tied Bonds with Babe Ruth for second on the all-time list.
- Was the first Marlin in history to record 200 hits in a season
- Pierre is mentioned by Jay-Z in the Beyonce song, "Déjà Vu."
"I used to run base like Juan Pierre / Now I run the bass hi hat and the snare"
- Pierre is also mentioned by Trick Daddy in the Rubberband Man remix (T.I. ft. Mack 10, Trick Daddy and Twista)
"I'm such a player they call me Juan Pierre"
- Became only the second player in history to record 200 hits in a season and not bat .300 (The other player was Buddy Bell).
- Despite his 200+ hits and being an African-American, Juan is frequently criticized at Wrigley Field by the Bleacher Bums as being a mediocre player and French.
Teams
- Colorado Rockies (2000-2002)
- Florida Marlins (2003-2005)
- Chicago Cubs (2006-)
External links
- Career statistics from Baseball Reference
- MLB.com
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