Freddy Sanchez
Encyclopedia
Frederick Phillip "Freddy" Sanchez, Jr. (born December 21, 1977) is a Major League Baseball
second baseman
for the San Francisco Giants
. Sanchez has previously played for the Boston Red Sox
(-) and the Pittsburgh Pirates
(-) and the San Francisco Giants (-present). He bats and throws right-handed.
in Burbank, California
, where he was a consistent three-year varsity player. In his senior year he was named MVP of the talent-filled Foothill League of the CIF. He also starred in the Daily News Bernie Milligan All-Star Game, where he earned MVP honors. While in high school, he played on the same summer league team as former teammate Jack Wilson. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 30th round out of Burbank High, but opted not to sign.
His success in high school was nothing short of miraculous. Sanchez was born with a severely pigeon-toed left foot and a club
right foot, and his parents had received an initial medical prognosis that he might never walk. After seeking specialized medical attention through the Children's Orthopaedic Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles
, he underwent surgery to correct his foot problems at 13 months, and then had to undergo years of physical therapy
before he could walk properly.
Sanchez went to Glendale Community College
for two years, where he led the team to a co-championship in the Western State Conference
, which was also the college's first playoff appearance since 1981
. He transferred to Dallas Baptist University
as a Junior, where he played in the NAIA College World Series. In his senior year, he transferred to Oklahoma City University
in , where he was named a NAIA
All-Star
.
Ernie Jacobs after being selected in the 11th round of the 2000 draft. In the 2000 season, he split the year between Single-A Lowell
and Augusta
. For Lowell he hit .288, and for Augusta he hit .301. He began playing for Single-A Sarasota, where he hit a Red Sox minor league
system best of .339. He quickly moved up to Double-A Trenton
, where he hit well above the .300 mark for all of his time there, including above .400 in his first 10 games.
On August 2, 2002, Sanchez was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket
, and made his major league debut for the Red Sox on the 10th against Tampa Bay
. He went 1-for-2 with a pinch-hit two-run single
. The season saw him optioned back and forth between the Red Sox and Pawtucket. At the 2003 trading deadline, Sanchez was dealt (along with LHP Mike Gonzalez) to the Pittsburgh Pirates in return for pitchers Jeff Suppan
, Scott Sauerbeck
and Anastacio Martinez
, and was assigned to Triple-A Nashville
; he played only one game there before an ankle injury forced him onto the disabled list.
Sanchez spent most of the season on the disabled list because of the ankle injury, and did not play until July; he joined the major league roster in September.
suffered an injury on May 6, Sanchez took over the position.
Sanchez received over 850,000 write-in votes for the 2006 All-Star Game
, the most of all MLB players. He made the National All-Star squad as a reserve selected by NL manager and former Pirate Phil Garner
, a former third and second baseman. Sanchez entered the game in the 5th inning at shortstop, replacing perennial All-Star Edgar Rentería
. He made a stellar leaping catch which was the defensive play of the game. He finished the game at 2nd base and went 0 for 2 at the plate with two ground-outs.
A local reporter has dubbed 2006 Sanchez's "storybook season" for his rise from a high-ceiling, limited-visibility prospect to an All-Star and batting champion. Pirates manager Jim Tracy admitted his surprise and praised him, "If you handed out ballots at the start of the season listing potential candidates to win the National League batting championship, I don't know that his name would have been on it. Now? He's a guy people are going to keep an eye on for many years to come."
Beyond this amazing accomplishment, Sanchez reached the coveted 200 hit mark for the season. Though it was said that he lacked power, he showed nice pop in his bat by leading the National League in doubles with 53. He also tacked on 85 RBIs. He led the majors in line drive percentage (27.5%). After the season, Sanchez received the Tony Conigliaro Award
for having overcome his physical adversities.
In early January 2006 his Burbank High School Bulldog baseball jersey number "21" was retired during a ceremony hosted by the school and city officials. The day was declared "Freddy Sanchez" day. In January 2007, Sanchez was voted one of Pittsburgh's most 25 beautiful people by Pittsburgh Magazine
.
Sanchez became the first Pirate to win a batting title since Bill Madlock
in 1983. Sanchez won the award for Pittsburgh, beating Florida Marlins
third baseman Miguel Cabrera
on the last day of the 2006 season. He made his MLB All-Star Game debut in his own ballpark at PNC Park
in 2006 with fellow teammate Jason Bay
as the starter for the Pirates.
In , Sanchez was moved to second base, replacing Jose Castillo. Sanchez was also named to the 2007 National League All-Star
as a reserve, selected by Tony LaRussa. He was the only Pirate All-Star, and it was his second straight All-Star game. He finished the season with a batting average above .300, and a career-high 11 home runs.
as the only ballplayers to garner that many hits in one game in the season.
Shortly after it was announced that Sanchez was the Pirates' lone representative in the 2009 All-Star Game, the team began to promote Sanchez on the trade market. Interested teams included the Giants
, Rockies
, Twins
, and Mariners
. On July 16, reports broke that the Pirates had asked to sit down and talk about a long term contract with Sanchez and Jack Wilson. Both players rejected the initial offers, but reportedly were still open to negotiation. On July 29, 2009, Sanchez's status was resolved when he was traded to the San Francisco Giants for minor league pitcher Tim Alderson
.
On October 30, after hitting a combined .293/.326/.416 over 111 games with the Pirates and Giants, Sanchez signed a two-year contract to remain with the Giants.
winning 92 games and the National League
Western Division title, in a season that culminated in the Giants' winning the 2010 World Series
title. Sanchez became the first player in history to collect 3 doubles in his first 3 World Series at-bats off Texas Rangers
ace Cliff Lee
in an 11-7 victory. He had initially been awarded doubles in his first four at-bats, but his fourth consecutive stop at second base was ruled a single and an error.
. On August 1, it was announced that Sanchez would have season-ending surgery.
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...
for the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. Sanchez has previously played for the Boston 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"...
(-) and 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...
(-) and the San Francisco Giants (-present). He bats and throws right-handed.
High school and college
Sanchez graduated in 1996 from Burbank High SchoolBurbank High School
Burbank High School is the flagship public high school of the City of Burbank, California - located in Los Angeles County. It opened on September 14, 1908, and its inaugural class had 334 students...
in Burbank, California
Burbank, California
Burbank is a city in Los Angeles County in Southern California, United States, north of downtown Los Angeles. The estimated population in 2010 was 103,340....
, where he was a consistent three-year varsity player. In his senior year he was named MVP of the talent-filled Foothill League of the CIF. He also starred in the Daily News Bernie Milligan All-Star Game, where he earned MVP honors. While in high school, he played on the same summer league team as former teammate Jack Wilson. He was drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 30th round out of Burbank High, but opted not to sign.
His success in high school was nothing short of miraculous. Sanchez was born with a severely pigeon-toed left foot and a club
Club foot
A club foot, or congenital talipes equinovarus , is a congenital deformity involving one foot or both. The affected foot appears rotated internally at the ankle. TEV is classified into 2 groups: Postural TEV or Structural TEV....
right foot, and his parents had received an initial medical prognosis that he might never walk. After seeking specialized medical attention through the Children's Orthopaedic Center at Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Children's Hospital Los Angeles
Children's Hospital Los Angeles, formerly Childrens Hospital Society, is a private, non-profit teaching hospital in Los Angeles. The hospital provides multidisciplinary care to over 93,000 children each year, with physician expertise in over 100 pediatric specialties and subspecialties.The hospital...
, he underwent surgery to correct his foot problems at 13 months, and then had to undergo years of physical therapy
Physical therapy
Physical therapy , often abbreviated PT, is a health care profession. Physical therapy is concerned with identifying and maximizing quality of life and movement potential within the spheres of promotion, prevention, diagnosis, treatment/intervention,and rehabilitation...
before he could walk properly.
Sanchez went to Glendale Community College
Glendale Community College (California)
Glendale Community College is a community college in Glendale, California, USA. It was founded to serve the needs of the people in the Glendale Union High School District which at the time included La Crescenta, Glendale, and Tujunga...
for two years, where he led the team to a co-championship in the Western State Conference
Western State Conference
The Western State Conference is a college athletic conference that is affiliated with the California Community College Athletic Association. The conference was established in 1950, making it the oldest community college conference in California...
, which was also the college's first playoff appearance since 1981
1981 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over New York Yankees ; Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve Yeager, co-MVPsNOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half...
. He transferred to Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University
Dallas Baptist University , formerly known as Dallas Baptist College, is a Christian liberal arts university located in Dallas, Texas. The main campus is located approximately fifteen miles southwest of downtown Dallas overlooking Mountain Creek Lake...
as a Junior, where he played in the NAIA College World Series. In his senior year, he transferred to Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University
Oklahoma City University, often referred to as OCU, is a coeducational, urban, private university historically affiliated with the United Methodist Church...
in , where he was named a NAIA
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics is an athletic association that organizes college and university-level athletic programs. Membership in the NAIA consists of smaller colleges and universities across the United States. The NAIA allows colleges and universities outside the USA...
All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
.
Minor leagues to the majors
Sanchez was originally signed by Boston Red Sox scoutScout (sport)
In professional sports, scouts are trained talent evaluators who travel extensively for the purposes of watching athletes play their chosen sports and determining whether their set of skills and talents represent what is needed by the scout's organization...
Ernie Jacobs after being selected in the 11th round of the 2000 draft. In the 2000 season, he split the year between Single-A Lowell
Lowell Spinners
The Lowell Spinners are a Short-Season A minor league baseball affiliate of the Boston Red Sox.-History:Founded in 1996 after Clyde Smoll moved the Elmira Pioneers to Lowell, Massachusetts, the Spinners play in the New York - Penn League, which has a Short-Season A classification with 76 games a...
and Augusta
Augusta GreenJackets
The Augusta GreenJackets are a minor league baseball team that plays in Augusta, Georgia, as a Class A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Lake Olmstead Stadium has been the home of the GreenJackets since the 1995 season, although Augusta has fielded a team in the South Atlantic League since 1988...
. For Lowell he hit .288, and for Augusta he hit .301. He began playing for Single-A Sarasota, where he hit a Red Sox minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...
system best of .339. He quickly moved up to Double-A Trenton
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
, where he hit well above the .300 mark for all of his time there, including above .400 in his first 10 games.
On August 2, 2002, Sanchez was called up from Triple-A Pawtucket
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox are the minor league baseball Triple-A affiliates of the Boston Red Sox and belong to the International League...
, and made his major league debut for the Red Sox on the 10th against Tampa Bay
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...
. He went 1-for-2 with a pinch-hit two-run single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
. The season saw him optioned back and forth between the Red Sox and Pawtucket. At the 2003 trading deadline, Sanchez was dealt (along with LHP Mike Gonzalez) to the Pittsburgh Pirates in return for pitchers Jeff Suppan
Jeff Suppan
Jeffrey Scot Suppan , is a Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently a free agent.-Baseball career:Suppan was drafted out of high school by the Boston Red Sox in the second round of the 1993 amateur draft, and rapidly ascended to the Majors making his debut at the age of 20...
, Scott Sauerbeck
Scott Sauerbeck
Scott William Sauerbeck is a retired left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher.-High school career:...
and Anastacio Martinez
Anastacio Martínez
Anastacio Euclides Martínez is a professional baseball pitcher. He played part of the 2004 season in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox, and most recently played for the Calgary Vipers. He is listed with a height of 6'2" and a weight of 180 lbs., and he bats and throws right-handed...
, and was assigned to Triple-A Nashville
Nashville Sounds
The Nashville Sounds are a minor league baseball team of the Pacific Coast League , and the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. They are located in Nashville, Tennessee, and are named for the city's association with the music industry...
; he played only one game there before an ankle injury forced him onto the disabled list.
Sanchez spent most of the season on the disabled list because of the ankle injury, and did not play until July; he joined the major league roster in September.
2005
was Sanchez's first full season in the major leagues. He began the season as a backup infielder, but ended up playing in a majority of the team's games due to injuries and poor performance by other players. He appeared in 132 games and made 100 starts (39 at second base, 6 at shortstop and 55 at third base), compiling a .291 batting average with 5 home runs and 35 RBI. 2005 included the birth of his son, Evan.2006
Despite his impressive finish to 2005, Sanchez began the season as a bench player. When third baseman Joe RandaJoe Randa
Joseph Gregory Salvatore Randa is a former Major League Baseball player. He was primarily a third baseman during his career. His nickname is "The Joker" due to his resemblance to the comic book character in Batman and his ever-present smile, especially during his plate appearances...
suffered an injury on May 6, Sanchez took over the position.
Sanchez received over 850,000 write-in votes for the 2006 All-Star Game
2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2006 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 77th playing of the midseason exhibition baseball game between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 2006 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh,...
, the most of all MLB players. He made the National All-Star squad as a reserve selected by NL manager and former Pirate Phil Garner
Phil Garner
Philip Mason Garner is a former infielder in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates, Houston Astros, Los Angeles Dodgers, and San Francisco Giants from 1973 to 1988...
, a former third and second baseman. Sanchez entered the game in the 5th inning at shortstop, replacing perennial All-Star Edgar Rentería
Edgar Rentería
Edgar Enrique Rentería Herazo , nicknamed "The Barranquilla Baby," is a Colombian professional baseball shortstop. He throws and bats right-handed. Previously, he has played for the Florida Marlins, the St...
. He made a stellar leaping catch which was the defensive play of the game. He finished the game at 2nd base and went 0 for 2 at the plate with two ground-outs.
A local reporter has dubbed 2006 Sanchez's "storybook season" for his rise from a high-ceiling, limited-visibility prospect to an All-Star and batting champion. Pirates manager Jim Tracy admitted his surprise and praised him, "If you handed out ballots at the start of the season listing potential candidates to win the National League batting championship, I don't know that his name would have been on it. Now? He's a guy people are going to keep an eye on for many years to come."
Beyond this amazing accomplishment, Sanchez reached the coveted 200 hit mark for the season. Though it was said that he lacked power, he showed nice pop in his bat by leading the National League in doubles with 53. He also tacked on 85 RBIs. He led the majors in line drive percentage (27.5%). After the season, Sanchez received the Tony Conigliaro Award
Tony Conigliaro Award
The Tony Conigliaro Award is a national award instituted in 1990 by the Boston Red Sox to honor the memory of their former star Tony Conigliaro. It is given annually to a Major League Baseball player who best overcomes an obstacle and adversity through the attributes of spirit, determination and...
for having overcome his physical adversities.
In early January 2006 his Burbank High School Bulldog baseball jersey number "21" was retired during a ceremony hosted by the school and city officials. The day was declared "Freddy Sanchez" day. In January 2007, Sanchez was voted one of Pittsburgh's most 25 beautiful people by Pittsburgh Magazine
Pittsburgh Magazine
Pittsburgh Magazine is a prominent lifestyle magazine covering the Pittsburgh metropolitan area. It has a monthly readership of 341,274. It produces the annual "40 Under 40" list of prominent young Pittsburghers in addition to the annual list of Pittsburgh's 25 Best Restaurants, Best of the...
.
Sanchez became the first Pirate to win a batting title since Bill Madlock
Bill Madlock
Bill "Mad Dog" Madlock, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball player. From 1973 to 1987, Madlock was a right-handed hitter who won several National League batting titles. His record of four batting titles as a third baseman would be eclipsed in 1988 by Wade Boggs. Since 1970, only Tony Gwynn has...
in 1983. Sanchez won the award for Pittsburgh, beating 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...
third baseman Miguel Cabrera
Miguel Cabrera
José Miguel Cabrera Torres nicknamed "Miggy", is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman with the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws right-handed....
on the last day of the 2006 season. He made his MLB All-Star Game debut in his own ballpark at PNC Park
PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...
in 2006 with fellow teammate Jason Bay
Jason Bay
Jason Raymond Bay is a Canadian professional baseball player. An outfielder, he currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
as the starter for the Pirates.
2007
2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 78th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 2007, at AT&T Park, the home of the NL's San Francisco Giants...
as a reserve, selected by Tony LaRussa. He was the only Pirate All-Star, and it was his second straight All-Star game. He finished the season with a batting average above .300, and a career-high 11 home runs.
2008
On January 26, , his wife Alissa gave birth to their second son, Ryan Anthony. Shortly following, on February 5, the Pirates and Sanchez agreed to a multi-year deal. Sanchez's new contract guaranteed him two seasons with the Pirates, plus a club option for 2010 that would become a guaranteed year if Sanchez met certain performance criteria in 2009; the 2010 option took the place of Sanchez's first year of free agency. The contract would pay the two-time All-Star second baseman up to $18.9 million. With a sluggish first half but a strong second half, Sanchez batted .271 in 2008, with 9 home runs.2009
On May 25 Sanchez had six hits in one game, Pittsburgh's first six-hit game in 19 years, joining Texas Ranger Ian KinslerIan Kinsler
Ian Michael Kinsler is a Major League Baseball All-Star second baseman for the Texas Rangers.Despite having been drafted in only the 17th round out of college, Kinsler has risen to become a two-time All Star, and a member of the Sporting News 2009 list of the 50 greatest current players in baseball...
as the only ballplayers to garner that many hits in one game in the season.
Shortly after it was announced that Sanchez was the Pirates' lone representative in the 2009 All-Star Game, the team began to promote Sanchez on the trade market. Interested teams included the Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
, 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...
, and Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
. On July 16, reports broke that the Pirates had asked to sit down and talk about a long term contract with Sanchez and Jack Wilson. Both players rejected the initial offers, but reportedly were still open to negotiation. On July 29, 2009, Sanchez's status was resolved when he was traded to the San Francisco Giants for minor league pitcher Tim Alderson
Tim Alderson
Timothy Alderson is a pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.-Baseball career:Alderson was drafted by the San Francisco Giants 22nd overall in the first round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft...
.
2009
On August 26, Sanchez was placed on 15-day disabled list due to a strained left shoulder.On October 30, after hitting a combined .293/.326/.416 over 111 games with the Pirates and Giants, Sanchez signed a two-year contract to remain with the Giants.
2010: World Series Champion
Sanchez had a nice year in his first full season in San Francisco, hitting .292 with 7 home runs and 47 runs batted en route 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....
winning 92 games and the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Western Division title, in a season that culminated in the Giants' winning the 2010 World Series
2010 World Series
The 2010 World Series was the 106th occurrence of Major League Baseball's championship series. The best-of-seven playoff, played between the American League champion Texas Rangers and the National League champion San Francisco Giants, began on Wednesday, , and ended on Monday, , with the Giants...
title. Sanchez became the first player in history to collect 3 doubles in his first 3 World Series at-bats off Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
ace Cliff Lee
Cliff Lee
Clifton Phifer "Cliff" Lee is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Lee has also played for the Cleveland Indians, the Seattle Mariners, and the Texas Rangers....
in an 11-7 victory. He had initially been awarded doubles in his first four at-bats, but his fourth consecutive stop at second base was ruled a single and an error.
2011
On June 10, Sanchez dislocated his shoulder diving for a groundball by Reds second baseman Brandon PhillipsBrandon Phillips
Brandon Emil Phillips is a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds. The Raleigh, North Carolina native was selected in the second round of the 1999 draft by the former Montreal Expos after signing a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Georgia...
. On August 1, it was announced that Sanchez would have season-ending surgery.