Damian Jackson
Encyclopedia
Damian Jacques Jackson is a major league
second baseman
who currently plays for the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League. He bats and throws right-handed.
, when he was a junior. Jackson only played one year of high school baseball
, his senior year. He decided to try out for baseball on a whim the first day of baseball, when he saw a friend walking to practice. That season, Jackson caught the eye of pro scouts because of his blazing speed and potent bat.
in the 44th round of the draft. He did not play a full season until he joined the San Diego Padres
in when he led all rookie
s in stolen base
s. He sustained an injury in , when he was hit by A.J. Burnett during Burnett's no-hit
game.
On July 14, 2001, Jackson hit a Broken-bat grand slam
against Wade Miller
that helped the Padres beat the Houston Astros
. The Homerun barely cleared the fence down the left-field line, near the 315-foot sign in the hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park
, then named "Enron Field".
During the 2003 American League Division Series
, Jackson collided with his Red Sox
teammate, center fielder
Johnny Damon
, knocking Damon unconscious.
He was released by the Washington Nationals
on August 25, 2006, and signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers
, but was released from them on March 11, 2007.
On March 11, 2007, the Dodgers released Jackson. Jackson, having signed as a free agent
in December, was entering his 17th season in professional baseball—his 11th in the majors after spending time with eight teams. "I no longer have anything to do with baseball," an angry Jackson said before clearing out his locker, furiously shoving equipment and clothes into his duffel bag and knocking down two chairs on his way out. "He respects our decision, and that's it," manager Grady Little said.
of the independent Atlantic League. He was released on July 22 and was immediately signed by the Long Island Ducks
, but was traded on August 2 to the Camden Riversharks.
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...
who currently plays for the Orange County Flyers of the independent Golden Baseball League. He bats and throws right-handed.
Early life
Jackson grew up in Los Angeles, but moved to Northern California when he was in high school. Jackson transferred to Ygnacio Valley High School in Concord, CaliforniaConcord, California
Concord is the largest city in Contra Costa County, California, USA. At the 2010 census, the city had a population of 122,067. Originally founded in 1869 as the community of Todos Santos by Salvio Pacheco, the name was changed to Concord within months...
, when he was a junior. Jackson only played one year of high school baseball
Baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
, his senior year. He decided to try out for baseball on a whim the first day of baseball, when he saw a friend walking to practice. That season, Jackson caught the eye of pro scouts because of his blazing speed and potent bat.
Major league career
Jackson was drafted by the Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in the 44th round of the draft. He did not play a full season until he joined the San Diego Padres
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in when he led all rookie
Rookie
Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of their sport or has little or no professional experience. The term also has the more general meaning of anyone new to a profession, training or activity Rookie is a term for a person who is in his or her first year of play of...
s in stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s. He sustained an injury in , when he was hit by A.J. Burnett during Burnett's no-hit
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
game.
On July 14, 2001, Jackson hit a Broken-bat grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
against Wade Miller
Wade Miller
Wade Thomas Miller is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Houston Astros from through the Boston Red Sox in and the Chicago Cubs in and . He bats and throws right-handed...
that helped the Padres beat 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...
. The Homerun barely cleared the fence down the left-field line, near the 315-foot sign in the hitter-friendly Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a ballpark in Downtown Houston, Texas, United States that opened in 2000 to house the Major League Baseball Houston Astros....
, then named "Enron Field".
During the 2003 American League Division Series
2003 American League Division Series
-Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox:-Game 1, September 30:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York-Game 2, October 2:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York-Game 3, October 4:Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota-Game 4, October 5:...
, Jackson collided with his Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
teammate, center fielder
Center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball fielding position between left field and right field...
Johnny Damon
Johnny Damon
Johnny David Damon is an American professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. From 2000–2008, he was third among active players in runs and seventh in hits and stolen bases . He is currently second among active leaders in triples , five behind Carl Crawford...
, knocking Damon unconscious.
He was released by the Washington Nationals
Washington 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...
on August 25, 2006, and signed with 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...
, but was released from them on March 11, 2007.
On March 11, 2007, the Dodgers released Jackson. Jackson, having signed as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
in December, was entering his 17th season in professional baseball—his 11th in the majors after spending time with eight teams. "I no longer have anything to do with baseball," an angry Jackson said before clearing out his locker, furiously shoving equipment and clothes into his duffel bag and knocking down two chairs on his way out. "He respects our decision, and that's it," manager Grady Little said.
Atlantic League
On April 14, 2008, Jackson signed with the Southern Maryland Blue CrabsSouthern Maryland Blue Crabs
The Southern Maryland Blue Crabs is an American professional baseball team based in Waldorf, Maryland. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball. From the 2008 season...
of the independent Atlantic League. He was released on July 22 and was immediately signed by the Long Island Ducks
Long Island Ducks
The Long Island Ducks is an American professional baseball team based in Central Islip, New York. They are a member of the Liberty Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball...
, but was traded on August 2 to the Camden Riversharks.