Brooks Conrad
Encyclopedia
Brooks Litchfield Conrad (born January 16, 1980 in San Diego, California
), nicknamed "Raw Dog", is a Major League Baseball
second baseman
, third baseman
, and pinch hitter
for the Atlanta Braves
.
. He was a member of the Arizona State baseball team from 1999-2001. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the eighth round (236th pick) of the 2001 Draft
. He played with the Astros AAA team the Round Rock Express. Conrad played in the Houston Astros
organization from - before becoming a minor league free agent after the 2007 season.
Conrad signed with the Oakland Athletics
organization prior to the 2008 season. He was called up to play with the A's against the Tampa Bay Rays
on July 21, . He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Atlanta Braves on November 18.
after being called up from AAA Gwinnett. On July 7, 2009, Conrad hit his first career Major League triple off of Chicago Cubs
pitcher Carlos Zambrano
. On September 1, 2009, Conrad was called back up to the Atlanta Braves
Fans lauded him for frequently picking up clutch hits at the end of games, but shunned him for defensive miscues at the end of the season and postseason.
On May 20, 2010, Conrad came to the plate with one out, the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th, with the Braves trailing 9-6. He hit a walk off grand slam against Cincinnati Reds
' pitcher, Francisco Cordero
, to cap an eight run comeback for his team.
On June 12, 2010, dropped down an eventual game winning suicide squeeze bunt to score Gregor Blanco
in the 9th inning against the Minnesota Twins
.
On July 24, 2010, Conrad hit his second go-ahead grand slam of the year, in the 8th inning against Burke Badenhop
of the Florida Marlins
. The Braves went on to win, 10-5.
On August 10, 2010, with a runner on first and no outs in the top of the 9th, Conrad hit a two run homer to put the Braves ahead of the Houston Astros
, 3-2, in a game that the Braves would go on to win.
On August 13, 2010, Brooks hit his final game winning home run of the season. This one came in the bottom of the 7th, against Hiroki Kuroda
of the Los Angeles Dodgers
.
, who would eventually go on to win the World Series
. His first error, in the second inning, let in a Giants' run. His third error was far more important. After Eric Hinske
hit a memorable two-run, eight-inning pinch-hit home run to put the Braves ahead by one run, Conrad had a ball go between his legs in the top of the ninth. This error allowed the game-winning run to score. The Giants took a 2-1 series-lead.
Conrad's three errors tied a Division Series record.
This horrifying game ended the season for Conrad, who would be benched the following game. He was replaced by veteran third baseman Troy Glaus
in game four, a series-clinching win for the Giants. The infielder committed eight errors in his final seven games of the year.
On May 1st in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals
, Conrad came off the bench to hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Braves a 6-5 victory.
Later in the month on May 25th in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates
, Conrad launched a go-ahead and ultimately game-winning 2-run homer in the 11th inning. It was Conrad's fifth career pinch-hit homer and also his fifth career game-winning hit.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
), nicknamed "Raw Dog", is a Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
, third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, and pinch hitter
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
for the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
Career
Conrad is a graduate of Monte Vista High SchoolMonte Vista High School (Spring Valley, California)
Monte Vista High School is public, comprehensive high school located in Spring Valley, California, and serves 1,960 students in grades nine through twelve. Opened in 1961, Monte Vista is the seventh of twelve high schools built in the Grossmont Union High School District...
. He was a member of the Arizona State baseball team from 1999-2001. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the eighth round (236th pick) of the 2001 Draft
2001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
. He played with the Astros AAA team the Round Rock Express. Conrad played in the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
organization from - before becoming a minor league free agent after the 2007 season.
Conrad signed with the Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
organization prior to the 2008 season. He was called up to play with the A's against the Tampa Bay Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
on July 21, . He became a free agent at the end of the season and signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Atlanta Braves on November 18.
2009 season
On July 3, 2009, Conrad hit his first major league home run - a 3-run shot as a pinch-hitter in the Braves 9-8 win over the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
after being called up from AAA Gwinnett. On July 7, 2009, Conrad hit his first career Major League triple off of Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
pitcher Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Zambrano
Carlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001...
. On September 1, 2009, Conrad was called back up to the Atlanta Braves
2010 season
Brooks Conrad's 2010 season consisted of extreme highs and even lower lows.Fans lauded him for frequently picking up clutch hits at the end of games, but shunned him for defensive miscues at the end of the season and postseason.
On May 20, 2010, Conrad came to the plate with one out, the bases loaded in the bottom of the 9th, with the Braves trailing 9-6. He hit a walk off grand slam against Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
' pitcher, Francisco Cordero
Francisco Cordero
Francisco Javier Cordero is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds...
, to cap an eight run comeback for his team.
On June 12, 2010, dropped down an eventual game winning suicide squeeze bunt to score Gregor Blanco
Gregor Blanco
Gregor M. Blanco is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
in the 9th inning against the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
.
On July 24, 2010, Conrad hit his second go-ahead grand slam of the year, in the 8th inning against Burke Badenhop
Burke Badenhop
Burke Heinrich Badenhop is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins. Burke played college baseball at Bowling Green State University. He played High School Baseball at Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg, Ohio...
of the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. The Braves went on to win, 10-5.
On August 10, 2010, with a runner on first and no outs in the top of the 9th, Conrad hit a two run homer to put the Braves ahead of the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
, 3-2, in a game that the Braves would go on to win.
On August 13, 2010, Brooks hit his final game winning home run of the season. This one came in the bottom of the 7th, against Hiroki Kuroda
Hiroki Kuroda
is a professional baseball player from Osaka, Japan who is currently a free agent. He is a starting pitcher, who most recently pitched for the Los Angeles Dodgers .-Early days:...
of the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
2010 playoff
In game three of the 2010 NLDS, Brooks Conrad made three errors in a loss to the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, who would eventually go on to win the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. His first error, in the second inning, let in a Giants' run. His third error was far more important. After Eric Hinske
Eric Hinske
Eric Scott Hinske is a Major League Baseball outfielder, first baseman, and third baseman currently an Atlanta Braves organization...
hit a memorable two-run, eight-inning pinch-hit home run to put the Braves ahead by one run, Conrad had a ball go between his legs in the top of the ninth. This error allowed the game-winning run to score. The Giants took a 2-1 series-lead.
Conrad's three errors tied a Division Series record.
This horrifying game ended the season for Conrad, who would be benched the following game. He was replaced by veteran third baseman Troy Glaus
Troy Glaus
Troy Edward Glaus is a Major League Baseball first baseman and third baseman who is currently a free agent. Previously, Glaus played with the Anaheim Angels , Arizona Diamondbacks , Toronto Blue Jays , St. Louis Cardinals , and the Atlanta Braves . Glaus lettered in baseball while attending UCLA...
in game four, a series-clinching win for the Giants. The infielder committed eight errors in his final seven games of the year.
2011 season
Despite the disappointment of the postseason from the year before, Conrad returned as a member of the Atlanta Braves for the 2011 season in the same utility role he served in the season before.On May 1st in a game against the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
, Conrad came off the bench to hit a game-winning single in the bottom of the 9th inning to give the Braves a 6-5 victory.
Later in the month on May 25th in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, Conrad launched a go-ahead and ultimately game-winning 2-run homer in the 11th inning. It was Conrad's fifth career pinch-hit homer and also his fifth career game-winning hit.