Gerald Laird
Encyclopedia
Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball
catcher
for the Detroit Tigers
. He graduated La Quinta High School
in 1998, and played college baseball
at Cypress College
. He was born in Westminster, California
and made his MLB debut in 2003 with the Texas Rangers.
, and then later graduated from La Quinta High School
in Westminster, California
. Laird was originally a second round draft choice of the Oakland Athletics
in 1998
, but initially held out for more money. When Oakland declined, Laird attended Cypress College
, where he led the school's baseball squad to the finals. In June 1999, Oakland and Laird negotiated a new contract. In his first minor league season, , Laird played 60 games with the Low-A Southern Oregon Timberjacks
, where he batted .285. Laird split the season between the Rookie-level Arizona League Athletics and High-A Visalia Oaks
, but a broken wrist limited his playing time. Going in to the season he was considered a top prospect, but batted .255 with the Modesto A's.
along with Ryan Ludwick
, Jason Hart
, and Mario Ramos
, for first baseman
Carlos Pena
and pitcher
Mike Venafro
. Texas assigned Laird to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers
, where his strong defensive play and improved batting average (.276) drew plaudits.
Laird joined Texas for Spring Training
, but after a brief appearance was sent to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
. Texas recalled Laird on April 30 when catcher Todd Greene
went on the disabled list. Laird made his major league debut the same day. Greene returned from the disabled list after 15 days and Texas optioned Laird back to Oklahoma. Texas recalled Laird a second time in September when the rosters expanded, and he remained with the big league club the rest of the season. In his two stints with Texas Laird played in 19 games and hit .273. At the end of the year he was named to the USA Baseball
squad.
Laird won the Rangers starting catching job in Spring Training in following the Einar Diaz
trade, but after dislocating his thumb in a home plate
collision in May 2004, ended up on the disabled list
and lost his starting job to Rod Barajas
. After spending most of the season in Triple-A, Laird took over as the backup catcher for the Rangers in . Laird went into the season well-regarded around the majors for his defensive skills, despite a career batting average of .234.. Commented San Diego Padres
general manager Kevin Towers
: "The Rangers knew they had a commodity. The only way they were going to part with him was if some team grossly overpaid." In 78 games Laird hit an improved .296 with seven home runs. In , Laird was again given the opportunity to be the starting catcher. The Rangers new manager, Ron Washington
, took a special interest in Laird during spring training, and said "I just want him to concentrate on making this pitching staff better and helping them to believe in him."
In 2007, Laird had the lowest fielding percentage
of all major league catchers (.984) and the lowest range factor
among full-time AL
catchers (6.83). Compensating for the low fielding percentage, Laird threw out 40% of attempted base stealers, ranking him second behind the Seattle Mariners
Kenji Johjima
in 2007. Additionally, Laird participated in the second most number of double play
s among all MLB catchers despite having among the least number of fielding chances.
for two minor league
pitchers, Carlos Melo
and Guillermo Moscoso
. Laird became the starting catcher for the Detroit Tigers, ahead of Dane Sardinha
and Matt Treanor
. While with Detroit, Laird had the highest average of throwing out runners trying to steal a base in the American League. On May 28, 2010 he changed his jersey number from 8 to 12.
signed Laird to a one-year contract for the 2011 season where he won his first World Series ring.
signed Laird to a one-year contract for the 2012 season to play as a backup catcher.
, was drafted by the New York Yankees
and is currently on their Major League Roster.
Laird is represented by sports agent
Scott Boras
.
and the Phoenix Suns
. The Lairds allegedly assaulted two security guards.
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...
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 Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. He graduated La Quinta High School
La Quinta High School (Westminster, California)
La Quinta High School a public high school located in Westminster, Orange County, California, is one of seven high-schools of the Garden Grove Unified School District—recipient of the 2004 Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education...
in 1998, and played college baseball
College baseball
College baseball is baseball that is played on the intercollegiate level at institutions of higher education. Compared to football and basketball, college competition in the United States plays a less significant contribution to cultivating professional players, as the minor leagues primarily...
at Cypress College
Cypress College
Cypress College is a community college located in Cypress, California. Opened on September 12, 1966 , the southern California college offers a variety of general education , transfer courses , and 141 vocational programs leading to Associate's degrees and certificates.-Overview:Cypress College's...
. He was born in Westminster, California
Westminster, California
-Government:In the state legislature Westminster is located in the 34th, Senate District, represented by Democrat Lou Correa and Republican Tom Harman respectively, and in the 67th and 68th Assembly District, represented by Republicans Jim Silva and Van Tran respectively...
and made his MLB debut in 2003 with the Texas Rangers.
Oakland Athletics
Laird first attended Rancho Alamitos High SchoolRancho Alamitos High School
Rancho Alamitos High School is located in Garden Grove, California. It is a member of the Garden Grove Unified School District.This high school first opened in the spring of 1957 with no senior class. The first graduating class was in 1958. The school colors are green and gold...
, and then later graduated from La Quinta High School
La Quinta High School (Westminster, California)
La Quinta High School a public high school located in Westminster, Orange County, California, is one of seven high-schools of the Garden Grove Unified School District—recipient of the 2004 Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education...
in Westminster, California
Westminster, California
-Government:In the state legislature Westminster is located in the 34th, Senate District, represented by Democrat Lou Correa and Republican Tom Harman respectively, and in the 67th and 68th Assembly District, represented by Republicans Jim Silva and Van Tran respectively...
. Laird was originally a second round draft choice of 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....
in 1998
1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1998...
, but initially held out for more money. When Oakland declined, Laird attended Cypress College
Cypress College
Cypress College is a community college located in Cypress, California. Opened on September 12, 1966 , the southern California college offers a variety of general education , transfer courses , and 141 vocational programs leading to Associate's degrees and certificates.-Overview:Cypress College's...
, where he led the school's baseball squad to the finals. In June 1999, Oakland and Laird negotiated a new contract. In his first minor league season, , Laird played 60 games with the Low-A Southern Oregon Timberjacks
Southern Oregon Timberjacks
The Southern Oregon Timberjacks were a minor league baseball team based in Medford, Oregon. The team played in the short-season single-A Northwest League from 1979 to 1999 and were an affiliate of the Oakland Athletics...
, where he batted .285. Laird split the season between the Rookie-level Arizona League Athletics and High-A Visalia Oaks
Visalia Oaks
The Visalia Rawhide are a minor league baseball team in Visalia, California, U.S. They are a Class A - Advanced team of the Arizona Diamondbacks operating in the California League and have recently agreed to renew their affiliation through 2012....
, but a broken wrist limited his playing time. Going in to the season he was considered a top prospect, but batted .255 with the Modesto A's.
Texas Rangers
Prior to the season Oakland traded Laird to the Texas RangersTexas 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...
along with Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Ludwick
Ryan Andrew Ludwick is a Major League Baseball right fielder. His brother Eric played four seasons in Major League Baseball as a pitcher.-High school, college, and minor leagues:Ludwick attended Durango High School in Las Vegas, Nevada....
, Jason Hart
Jason Hart (baseball)
Jason Wyatt Hart is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman who played for the Texas Rangers in .-High school and college:...
, and Mario Ramos
Mario Ramos
Mario Martin Ramos is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Ramos was born in Aurora, Illinois. He went to Pflugerville High School in Pflugerville, Texas, where he also resides today. He was a 5'11", 180-pound pitcher. Before being drafted, Ramos attended Rice University.In 1996, the Kansas City...
, for 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...
Carlos Pena
Carlos Peña
Carlos Felipe Peña is a Dominican professional baseball left-handed first baseman. He played previously with the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Chicago Cubs.Although he was born in Santo Domingo and his family is from San Francisco de Macorís,...
and pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Mike Venafro
Mike Venafro
Michael Robert Venafro is a retired Major League Baseball left-handed relief pitcher.Venafro is an alumnus of James Madison University...
. Texas assigned Laird to the Double-A Tulsa Drillers
Tulsa Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers are a minor league baseball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies major-league club.-Stadium:...
, where his strong defensive play and improved batting average (.276) drew plaudits.
Laird joined Texas 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...
, but after a brief appearance was sent to the Triple-A Oklahoma RedHawks
Oklahoma RedHawks
The Oklahoma City RedHawks are a minor league baseball team based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Pacific Coast League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros...
. Texas recalled Laird on April 30 when catcher Todd Greene
Todd Greene
Todd Anthony Greene is a former Major League Baseball catcher. In an 11 year career, he played for the Anaheim Angels , Toronto Blue Jays , New York Yankees , Texas Rangers , Colorado Rockies , and San Francisco Giants . He batted and threw right-handed. Greene allegedly received steroids from Dr...
went on the disabled list. Laird made his major league debut the same day. Greene returned from the disabled list after 15 days and Texas optioned Laird back to Oklahoma. Texas recalled Laird a second time in September when the rosters expanded, and he remained with the big league club the rest of the season. In his two stints with Texas Laird played in 19 games and hit .273. At the end of the year he was named to the USA Baseball
USA Baseball
USA Baseball was founded in , and is the governing body for amateur baseball in the United States of America. It is a member of the United States Olympic Committee and organizes the United States national baseball team...
squad.
Laird won the Rangers starting catching job in Spring Training in following the Einar Diaz
Einar Diaz
Einar Antonio Díaz is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Díaz was called up in by the Cleveland Indians to back up then-starting catcher Sandy Alomar, Jr. He played sparingly from 1996-, and in he got his first starting job with the Indians due to an injury to Alomar...
trade, but after dislocating his thumb in a home plate
Home Plate
Home Plate is the fifth album by Bonnie Raitt, released in 1975 .-Track listing:#"What Do You Want the Boy to Do?" – 3:19#"Good Enough" – 2:56#"Run Like a Thief" – 3:02...
collision in May 2004, ended up on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
and lost his starting job to Rod Barajas
Rod Barajas
Rodrigo Richard Barajas is a Mexican American professional baseball catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball. He came up to the majors with the Arizona Diamondbacks in...
. After spending most of the season in Triple-A, Laird took over as the backup catcher for the Rangers in . Laird went into the season well-regarded around the majors for his defensive skills, despite a career batting average of .234.. Commented 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...
general manager Kevin Towers
Kevin Towers
Kevin S. Towers is currently the general manager for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also served as the general manager of Major League Baseball's San Diego Padres from 1995-2009.-Playing career:...
: "The Rangers knew they had a commodity. The only way they were going to part with him was if some team grossly overpaid." In 78 games Laird hit an improved .296 with seven home runs. In , Laird was again given the opportunity to be the starting catcher. The Rangers new manager, Ron Washington
Ron Washington
Ronald Washington is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and the current manager of the Texas Rangers. Prior to managing the Rangers, Washington coached in the New York Mets and Oakland Athletics organizations.-Playing career:Washington was signed by the Kansas City Royals on July 17, 1970...
, took a special interest in Laird during spring training, and said "I just want him to concentrate on making this pitching staff better and helping them to believe in him."
In 2007, Laird had the lowest fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
of all major league catchers (.984) and the lowest range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
among full-time AL
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
catchers (6.83). Compensating for the low fielding percentage, Laird threw out 40% of attempted base stealers, ranking him second behind 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...
Kenji Johjima
Kenji Johjima
is a Japanese catcher who is currently playing for the Hanshin Tigers. He played in Major League Baseball for four years with the Seattle Mariners in the American League....
in 2007. Additionally, Laird participated in the second most number of double play
Double play
In baseball, a double play for a team or a fielder is the act of making two outs during the same continuous playing action. In baseball slang, making a double play is referred to as "turning two"....
s among all MLB catchers despite having among the least number of fielding chances.
Detroit Tigers
On December 8, 2008, Laird was traded to the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
for two 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...
pitchers, Carlos Melo
Carlos Melo
Carlos Bolívar Melo is a Panamanian professional boxer.On April 19, 2008 he faced Mexican boxer Edgar Sosa in Port-au-Prince, Haiti for the WBC light flyweight title.-External links:...
and Guillermo Moscoso
Guillermo Moscoso
Guillermo A. Moscoso is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Texas Rangers:...
. Laird became the starting catcher for the Detroit Tigers, ahead of Dane Sardinha
Dane Sardinha
Dane Kealoha A. A. Sardinha is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent.-College career:...
and Matt Treanor
Matt Treanor
Matthew Aaron Treanor is an American professional baseball catcher who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball...
. While with Detroit, Laird had the highest average of throwing out runners trying to steal a base in the American League. On May 28, 2010 he changed his jersey number from 8 to 12.
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis CardinalsSt. 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...
signed Laird to a one-year contract for the 2011 season where he won his first World Series ring.
Detroit Tigers
On November 18, 2011, the Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
signed Laird to a one-year contract for the 2012 season to play as a backup catcher.
Personal
Laird's younger brother, Brandon LairdBrandon Laird
Brandon J. Laird is a third baseman for the New York Yankees.-Career:Laird attended La Quinta High School in Westminster, California. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 27th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign, opting to attend Cypress College...
, was drafted by the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
and is currently on their Major League Roster.
Laird is represented by sports agent
Sports agent
A sports agent procures and negotiates employment and endorsement contracts for an athlete.In return, the sports agent generally receives between 4 and 10% of the athlete's playing contract, and 10 to 20% of the athlete's endorsement contract, though these figures vary...
Scott Boras
Scott Boras
Scott Boras is an American sports agent, specializing in baseball. He is the founder, owner and president of the Boras Corporation, a sports agency based in Newport Beach, Calif. that represents roughly 175 professional baseball clients, including many of the game's highest-profile players...
.
Arrest
On December 30, 2009, Gerald and Brandon were arrested following an incident during a basketball game between the Boston CelticsBoston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
and the Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
. The Lairds allegedly assaulted two security guards.