Jarrod Saltalamacchia
Encyclopedia
Jarrod Scott Saltalamacchia (born May 2, 1985, in West Palm Beach, Florida
), nicknamed "Salty" is an American
professional baseball
catcher
with the Boston Red Sox
of Major League Baseball
.
His last name is the longest in Major League Baseball history. Saltalamacchia is Italian for "jump over" (salta) the thicket (lamacchia, a kind of tall shrub).
by the Atlanta Braves
.
, where the switch-hitting slugger hit .314 with 35 doubles, 19 homers, and 81 RBIs in 129 games. Saltalamacchia ranked 18th in Baseball America top 100 prospects in 2006, and 36th the following year.
In the season, Saltalamacchia started at catcher for the Double-A
Mississippi Braves
. In 22 games played, he belted 7 home run
s with a batting average
of .373.
On his 22nd birthday, he was called up to Atlanta to replace Brayan Peña
on the roster and to fill in for Brian McCann, who re-injured his finger on May 1, . Saltalamacchia's call-up made him the new record-holder of the longest surname
in Major League Baseball history, at 14 letters, breaking the record set by William Van Landingham
(or tying it, depending on whether one counts the space in the latter's surname).
On May 6, 2007, Saltalamacchia had the first hit
of his major league career in the sixth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers
. In the seventh inning, with two outs and two men on base, Saltalamacchia got his first RBI
, which also drove in the winning run for the Braves. On May 27, 2007, Saltalamacchia hit his first major league home run, a solo shot off Cole Hamels
of the Philadelphia Phillies
. On June 26 in a start at first base, Saltalamacchia had his first multi-home run game. Both blasts came batting right-handed off Washington Nationals
pitcher
Mike Bacsik
.
Because Saltalamacchia was "blocked" (by McCann, who was recently signed to a large contract with Atlanta), he was the subject of much trade speculation within baseball, and was traded to the Texas Rangers on July 31, 2007, with Elvis Andrus
, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison
, and Beau Jones for first baseman Mark Teixeira
and reliever Ron Mahay
.
In 2007, Saltalamacchia batted .284 with 4 home runs and 12 RBI in 47 games with Texas.
On August 22, 2007, Saltalamacchia had two home runs and seven RBIs in the historic 30–3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles
.
In 46 games with the Rangers in 2007, Saltamacchia batted .251, collecting 7 home runs and 21 RBIs.
On March 26, , Saltalamacchia lost the starting catching job to Gerald Laird
, and the Rangers chose to send him down to the minors to catch every day instead of sitting as the backup. However, Saltalamacchia was soon called up on April 25, 2008.
After the Rangers signed free agent Andruw Jones
, Saltalamacchia gave up his number 25 to Jones and selected the number 21. On April 25, 2009, Saltalamacchia struck out in his 28th consecutive game played, setting a new MLB strikeout streak record for a position player (pitcher Bill Stoneman
holds the all-time record with 37 games). Saltalamacchia's streak started on July 23, 2008. Saltalamacchia suffered a shoulder injury on August 15, 2009 and was placed on the disabled list.
Saltalamacchia was placed on the disabled list after the 2nd game of the 2010 season. On April 27, 2010, Saltalamacchia was removed from the DL and assigned to the Oklahoma City RedHawks. He has struggled with throwing the ball back to the pitcher.
just before the Major League Baseball trading deadline on July 31, 2010. The Rangers received minor league prospects Chris McGuinness, Ramon Mendez, a player to be named later (Michael Thomas), and cash. He reported to the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox, wearing uniform number 39. Saltalamacchia was called up on August 11 after Kevin Cash
went on the disabled list needing surgery in his left thumb, in September 2010.
In the 2011 season, Saltalamacchia was slated at the beginning of the year to be Boston's primary catcher. Out of the gate, he struggled defensively and showed weakness in the batter's box. However, he showed improvement at the plate as the season progressed, hitting .327 in the month of June.
, were childhood friends. Both were traded to the Rangers from different teams on July 31, 2007. They were nearly potential teammates once again when the Red Sox, having reacquired Gabbard in 2009, released him from their farm system into free agency on July 24, 2010, exactly one week before Saltalamacchia was traded to Boston.
West Palm Beach, Florida
West Palm Beach, is a city located on the Atlantic coast in southeastern Florida and is the most populous city in and county seat of Palm Beach County, the third most populous county in Florida with a 2010 population of 1,320,134. The city is also the oldest incorporated municipality in South Florida...
), nicknamed "Salty" is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional 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...
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...
with 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"...
of 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...
.
His last name is the longest in Major League Baseball history. Saltalamacchia is Italian for "jump over" (salta) the thicket (lamacchia, a kind of tall shrub).
Baseball career
Saltalamacchia was drafted out of Royal Palm Beach High School in the first round of the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
by 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....
.
Atlanta Braves
In 2006, Saltalamacchia had a breakout season for the Class A Myrtle Beach PelicansMyrtle Beach Pelicans
The Myrtle Beach Pelicans are a minor league baseball team in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. They are a Class A Advanced team in the Carolina League and the franchise is currently the farm team of the Texas Rangers. From their inaugural season until 2010, the Pelicans were an affiliate of the...
, where the switch-hitting slugger hit .314 with 35 doubles, 19 homers, and 81 RBIs in 129 games. Saltalamacchia ranked 18th in Baseball America top 100 prospects in 2006, and 36th the following year.
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...
Mississippi Braves
Mississippi Braves
The Mississippi Braves, or M-Braves as they are referred to locally, are a minor league baseball team based in Pearl, Mississippi, a suburb of Jackson. The team is the Class AA affiliate of the Atlanta Braves, and plays in the Southern League. The team is owned and operated by Liberty Media, which...
. In 22 games played, he belted 7 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s with a batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of .373.
On his 22nd birthday, he was called up to Atlanta to replace Brayan Peña
Brayan Peña
Brayan Eduardo Peña is a catcher for the Kansas City Royals.-Early years:Peña was a member of the Cuban National 18 and under team as a youth. He graduated from Espa Julio Trigo Junior College in Costa Rica...
on the roster and to fill in for Brian McCann, who re-injured his finger on May 1, . Saltalamacchia's call-up made him the new record-holder of the longest surname
Surname
A surname is a name added to a given name and is part of a personal name. In many cases, a surname is a family name. Many dictionaries define "surname" as a synonym of "family name"...
in Major League Baseball history, at 14 letters, breaking the record set by William Van Landingham
William Van Landingham
William Joseph Van Landingham is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire Major League career with the San Francisco Giants.-Career:...
(or tying it, depending on whether one counts the space in the latter's surname).
On May 6, 2007, Saltalamacchia had the first hit
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....
of his major league career in the sixth inning against 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...
. In the seventh inning, with two outs and two men on base, Saltalamacchia got his first RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
, which also drove in the winning run for the Braves. On May 27, 2007, Saltalamacchia hit his first major league home run, a solo shot off Cole Hamels
Cole Hamels
Colbert Michael "Cole" Hamels is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies. Hamels throws a four-seam fastball, a circle changeup, a curveball, and a cut fastball, which he added in 2010...
of the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. On June 26 in a start at first base, Saltalamacchia had his first multi-home run game. Both blasts came batting right-handed off 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...
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 Bacsik
Mike Bacsik (left-handed pitcher)
-External links:**...
.
Because Saltalamacchia was "blocked" (by McCann, who was recently signed to a large contract with Atlanta), he was the subject of much trade speculation within baseball, and was traded to the Texas Rangers on July 31, 2007, with Elvis Andrus
Elvis Andrus
Elvis Augusto Andrus Torres is a Major League Baseball shortstop for the Texas Rangers.Entering , he was rated by Baseball America as the No. 2 prospect in the Atlanta Braves organization...
, Neftali Feliz, Matt Harrison
Matt Harrison
Matthew Reid Harrison is a Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Texas Rangers.-Baseball career:Harrison attended South Granville High School in Creedmoor, North Carolina...
, and Beau Jones for first baseman Mark Teixeira
Mark Teixeira
Mark Charles Teixeira , nicknamed "Tex" is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Mostly a first baseman, he has also played third base and in the outfield...
and reliever Ron Mahay
Ron Mahay
Ronald Matthew Mahay is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and Minnesota Twins....
.
In 2007, Saltalamacchia batted .284 with 4 home runs and 12 RBI in 47 games with Texas.
Texas Rangers
Upon joining the Rangers after being traded Saltalamacchia changed his number to 25. In his first game with the Rangers on August 1, 2007, Saltalamacchia started at first base and drove in two runs.On August 22, 2007, Saltalamacchia had two home runs and seven RBIs in the historic 30–3 rout of the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
.
In 46 games with the Rangers in 2007, Saltamacchia batted .251, collecting 7 home runs and 21 RBIs.
On March 26, , Saltalamacchia lost the starting catching job to Gerald Laird
Gerald Laird
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...
, and the Rangers chose to send him down to the minors to catch every day instead of sitting as the backup. However, Saltalamacchia was soon called up on April 25, 2008.
Andruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...
, Saltalamacchia gave up his number 25 to Jones and selected the number 21. On April 25, 2009, Saltalamacchia struck out in his 28th consecutive game played, setting a new MLB strikeout streak record for a position player (pitcher Bill Stoneman
Bill Stoneman
William Hambly Stoneman III is a consultant for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball. From 1999 to October 15, 2007, he served as the general manager of the Angels...
holds the all-time record with 37 games). Saltalamacchia's streak started on July 23, 2008. Saltalamacchia suffered a shoulder injury on August 15, 2009 and was placed on the disabled list.
Saltalamacchia was placed on the disabled list after the 2nd game of the 2010 season. On April 27, 2010, Saltalamacchia was removed from the DL and assigned to the Oklahoma City RedHawks. He has struggled with throwing the ball back to the pitcher.
Boston Red Sox
Saltalamacchia was traded to the Boston Red SoxBoston 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"...
just before the Major League Baseball trading deadline on July 31, 2010. The Rangers received minor league prospects Chris McGuinness, Ramon Mendez, a player to be named later (Michael Thomas), and cash. He reported to the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox, wearing uniform number 39. Saltalamacchia was called up on August 11 after Kevin Cash
Kevin Cash
Kevin Forrest Cash is an American professional baseball catcher who is in the Texas Rangers organization. He has played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Houston Astros.-Early life:Cash played for Northside Little League in Florida when they made...
went on the disabled list needing surgery in his left thumb, in September 2010.
In the 2011 season, Saltalamacchia was slated at the beginning of the year to be Boston's primary catcher. Out of the gate, he struggled defensively and showed weakness in the batter's box. However, he showed improvement at the plate as the season progressed, hitting .327 in the month of June.
Personal
Saltalamacchia and his former Rangers teammate, Kason GabbardKason Gabbard
Kason Ronald Gabbard is a starting pitcher who is a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed.-High school:Gabbard played high school baseball at Royal Palm Beach High School in Royal Palm Beach, Florida...
, were childhood friends. Both were traded to the Rangers from different teams on July 31, 2007. They were nearly potential teammates once again when the Red Sox, having reacquired Gabbard in 2009, released him from their farm system into free agency on July 24, 2010, exactly one week before Saltalamacchia was traded to Boston.
External links
- http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/sportscolumns/entries/2007/07/15/salty_gets_big.html