George Kottaras
Encyclopedia
George Kottaras is a Major League Baseball
catcher
for the Milwaukee Brewers
. Kottaras attended Milliken Mills High School
in Markham
, Ontario
, Canada.
in 20th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft
. He signed with the Padres in May after spending one year at Connors State College
in Warner, Oklahoma
.
Kottaras began his professional career playing for the Idaho Falls Padres
of the Pioneer League, and worked his way up through the Padres minor league system to the Triple-A Portland Beavers
in . He played in the 2006 All-Star Futures Game
for Team World and was named number 48 in the 2006 Minor League News FAB50 List.
On September 5, 2006, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox to complete a August 31 deal for David Wells
and was immediately added to the team's 40-man roster. He was assigned to the Red Sox Double A franchise, the Portland Sea Dogs
, who had just begun their Eastern League playoff run. Kottaras arrived for Game 2 of Eastern League Division Playoffs and continued playing with the Sea Dogs until they were crowned 2006 Eastern League Champions.
Kottaras played the entire season for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
. He reported for spring training
in but was optioned back to Pawtucket on March 17, 2008. Kottaras played the regular and post season 2008 schedule for Pawtucket, but after Pawtucket was eliminated from the International League
playoffs he was called up to Boston.
On September 8, 2008, he was called up from Pawtucket and on September 13, 2008, he made his major league debut in the 6th inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays
and scored the only run
for the Red Sox that game.
In 2009 Kottaras became knuckleball
pitcher Tim Wakefield's
personal catcher; as Jason Varitek
normally catches for the other pitchers in the rotation. After Wakefield went on the disabled list post All-Star Break, Kottaras followed suit with a lower back strain. He remained with Pawtucket until call ups on September 1. With Wakefield's first start in September, Red Sox manager Terry Francona
had to decide whether or not to start Kottaras due to his familiarity with Wakefield or Víctor Martínez due to his bat and making one start with Wakefield in which he caught the knuckleball very well for the first time.
Kottaras hit his first major league home run on July 3, 2009, against the Seattle Mariners'
Mark Lowe
in the bottom of the 11th. For the season, he fifth in the league in passed balls, with 8 in 39 games.
Kottaras was released by the Red Sox on November 18, 2009. He was claimed later in the day by the Milwaukee Brewers
.
Kottaras is the back-up catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, starting every 5th day as the exclusive catcher for Randy Wolf
.
On September 3, 2011, Kottaras hit for the cycle in a game against the Houston Astros
, becoming the 7th Milwaukee Brewer player. Kottaras was the 3rd Brewers catcher to achieve the feat, along with Chad Moeller and Charlie Moore.
In 2011, he batted .252 and hit 5 home runs in 111 at bats.
national baseball team
during the 2004 Summer Olympics
. His eligibility came from his parents, both of whom are Greek immigrants to Canada. During the Olympics, Kottaras served as first baseman
and backup catcher.
On July 21, 2004, Kottaras had three hits
helping Greece come from behind to defeat Italy 11–7 for the team's first and only win in the tournament
.
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...
catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. Kottaras attended Milliken Mills High School
Milliken Mills High School
Milliken Mills High School is a high school in the town of Markham, Ontario, Canada. It is one of 29 high schools in the York Region District School Board....
in Markham
Markham, Ontario
Markham is a town in the Regional Municipality of York, located within the Greater Toronto Area of Southern Ontario, Canada. The population was 261,573 at the 2006 Canadian census...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada.
Professional baseball career
Kottaras was drafted by the San Diego PadresSan 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 20th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft
2002 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Compensation Selections:...
. He signed with the Padres in May after spending one year at Connors State College
Connors State College
Connors State College is public college located in Warner and Muskogee, Oklahoma. Founded as an agricultural high school in 1908, it was soon converted to a school of agriculture. In 1958, the Oklahoma State Legislature once again changed its designation: this time to junior college. The school...
in Warner, Oklahoma
Warner, Oklahoma
Warner is a town in Muskogee County, Oklahoma, United States. The population was 1,430 at the 2000 census. The town is also home to part of the Connors State College campus.-Geography:Warner is located at ....
.
Kottaras began his professional career playing for the Idaho Falls Padres
Idaho Falls Chukars
The Idaho Falls Chukars are a minor league baseball affiliate of the Kansas City Royals. They play in Idaho Falls, Idaho, at Melaleuca Field which holds 3,400 fans. The dimensions of the ball park are 340'left, 400'center, 350'right. The playing surface is Natural Grass...
of the Pioneer League, and worked his way up through the Padres minor league system to the Triple-A Portland Beavers
Portland Beavers
The Tucson Padres are a minor league baseball team, representing Tucson, Arizona, in the Pacific Coast League . They are the Triple-A affiliate for the San Diego Padres. The team was formerly known as the Portland Beavers and played its last home game at PGE Park on September 6, 2010...
in . He played in the 2006 All-Star Futures Game
All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game between a team of top minor league prospects from the United States and a team of prospects from other parts of the World...
for Team World and was named number 48 in the 2006 Minor League News FAB50 List.
On September 5, 2006, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox to complete a August 31 deal for David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
and was immediately added to the team's 40-man roster. He was assigned to the Red Sox Double A franchise, the Portland Sea Dogs
Portland Sea Dogs
The Portland Sea Dogs are the Double-A minor league affiliate of the Boston Red Sox. Established in 1994 and based in Portland, Maine, the Sea Dogs play in the Northern Division of the Eastern League....
, who had just begun their Eastern League playoff run. Kottaras arrived for Game 2 of Eastern League Division Playoffs and continued playing with the Sea Dogs until they were crowned 2006 Eastern League Champions.
Kottaras played the entire season for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox
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...
. He reported for spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in but was optioned back to Pawtucket on March 17, 2008. Kottaras played the regular and post season 2008 schedule for Pawtucket, but after Pawtucket was eliminated from the International League
International League
The International League is a minor league baseball league that operates in the eastern United States. Like the Pacific Coast League and the Mexican League, it plays at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball. It was so named because it had teams in both the United States...
playoffs he was called up to Boston.
On September 8, 2008, he was called up from Pawtucket and on September 13, 2008, he made his major league debut in the 6th inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
and scored the only run
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
for the Red Sox that game.
In 2009 Kottaras became knuckleball
Knuckleball
A knuckleball is a baseball pitch with an erratic, unpredictable motion. The pitch is thrown so as to minimize the spin of the ball in flight. This causes vortices over the stitched seams of the baseball during its trajectory, which in turn can cause the pitch to change direction—and even...
pitcher Tim Wakefield's
Tim Wakefield
Timothy Stephen Wakefield is an American professional baseball pitcher. Wakefield began pitching with the Red Sox in 1995, making him the longest-serving player currently on the team. Wakefield is also the oldest current active player in the majors, and one of two active knuckleballers, the other...
personal catcher; as Jason Varitek
Jason Varitek
Jason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
normally catches for the other pitchers in the rotation. After Wakefield went on the disabled list post All-Star Break, Kottaras followed suit with a lower back strain. He remained with Pawtucket until call ups on September 1. With Wakefield's first start in September, Red Sox manager Terry Francona
Terry Francona
Terry Jon Francona , nicknamed "Tito," is a former Major League Baseball manager and a former player. He was a first baseman and outfielder in the majors from 1981 to 1990. After retiring as a player, he managed several minor league teams in the 1990s before managing the Philadelphia Phillies for...
had to decide whether or not to start Kottaras due to his familiarity with Wakefield or Víctor Martínez due to his bat and making one start with Wakefield in which he caught the knuckleball very well for the first time.
Kottaras hit his first major league home run on July 3, 2009, against the Seattle 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...
Mark Lowe
Mark Lowe
Mark Christopher Lowe is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Texas Rangers. He made his Major League debut for the Seattle Mariners on July 7, in relief against the Detroit Tigers, loading the bases before striking out the side. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed. His fastball...
in the bottom of the 11th. For the season, he fifth in the league in passed balls, with 8 in 39 games.
Kottaras was released by the Red Sox on November 18, 2009. He was claimed later in the day by the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
.
Kottaras is the back-up catcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, starting every 5th day as the exclusive catcher for Randy Wolf
Randy Wolf
Randall Christopher Wolf is a left-handed pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball. Randy's older brother Jim is a Major League umpire. Unlike his brother Jim and Houston Astros relief pitcher Ross Wolf, Randy is a boss...
.
On September 3, 2011, Kottaras hit for the cycle in a game against 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...
, becoming the 7th Milwaukee Brewer player. Kottaras was the 3rd Brewers catcher to achieve the feat, along with Chad Moeller and Charlie Moore.
In 2011, he batted .252 and hit 5 home runs in 111 at bats.
2004 Olympics
In Kottaras played for Greece'sGreece at the 2004 Summer Olympics
Greece was the host nation for the 2004 Summer Olympics in Athens. The delegation of 441 athletes, 223 men and 218 women, was represented by the Hellenic Olympic Committee...
national baseball team
Greece national baseball team
-2004 Olympics:The first time that Greece put together a national team that got any recognition in the baseball world was during the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. Greece, as the host country, was faced with the dilemma that the actual baseball talent pool in the country was very small, and what...
during the 2004 Summer Olympics
2004 Summer Olympics
The 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad, was a premier international multi-sport event held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto Welcome Home. 10,625 athletes competed, some 600 more than expected, accompanied by 5,501 team...
. His eligibility came from his parents, both of whom are Greek immigrants to Canada. During the Olympics, Kottaras served as first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
and backup catcher.
On July 21, 2004, Kottaras had three hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
helping Greece come from behind to defeat Italy 11–7 for the team's first and only win in the tournament
Baseball at the 2004 Summer Olympics
-Preliminary round:The top four teams advanced to the semifinals. To determine the seed ranking of teams tied in the standings, the result of the two teams' game against each other was used. Japan therefore received first place due to the win over Cuba. In the semi-finals, Japan played...
.
External links
- Kottaras at CBS Sportsline
- Sox Prospects
- Kottaras at MinorLeagueSplits.com