Jason Donald (baseball)
Encyclopedia
Jason Thomas Donald (born September 4, 1984) is an Olympian for the United States and a Major League Baseball
shortstop
who currently plays for the Cleveland Indians
. He is known for his hustle, specifically his effort in running to first in Armando Galarraga
's near-perfect game.
in Clovis, California
, where his father is the coach of the baseball team and a history teacher. Donald played collegiately with the University of Arizona
.
Donald was selected and participated in several All-Star games during the course of the 2008 season including the Eastern League All-Star game, and the premier event for minor leaguers, the MLB All-Star Futures Game
at Yankee Stadium.
In 2009, Donald played 9 games with the Phillies as part of the Gulf Coast League, going 6 for 26 (.231) before being assigned to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
of the International League
. While with the Pigs, Jason had a .236 batting average with one home run over the course of 51 games.
On July 29, 2009, the Phillies traded Donald, along with Carlos Carrasco
, Lou Marson
, and Jason Knapp to the Cleveland Indians
for Cliff Lee
and Ben Francisco
.
On May 18, 2010, replacing the injured Asdrubal Cabrera
, Donald started at shortstop vs. the Tampa Bay Rays
and recorded his first major league hit on his first plate appearance. In his second at bat, he singled to right field against Rays starter David Price
to begin his major league career 2-for-2. He then walked in his third at bat.
first baseman Miguel Cabrera
that should have been the final out of a perfect game. When Cabrera tossed the ball to Armando Galarraga
who was covering at first, umpire Jim Joyce
incorrectly called Donald safe, thus nullifying Galarraga's perfect game. Donald was ultimately credited with an infield single, and Galarraga had to settle for a one-hit-shutout. After the game, Joyce made a statement regarding the call,"I just cost that kid a perfect game. I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay." When asked about the play, Donald said, "I didn't know if I beat the throw or not. But given the circumstances, I thought for sure I'd be called out."
were selected to the United States national baseball team
. Donald helped lead the United States to a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics. Donald homered in the bronze medal game and led the team at the games in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Donald batted .381 for the games.
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...
shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
who currently plays for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland 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...
. He is known for his hustle, specifically his effort in running to first in Armando Galarraga
Armando Galarraga
Armando Antonio Galarraga is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Galarraga made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on September 15, 2007...
's near-perfect game.
Early life
Jason Donald attended Buchanan High SchoolBuchanan High School
Dr. Floyd B. Buchanan High School, known as Buchanan High School, is a four-year public high school in Clovis, California, United States. The school is part the Buchanan Educational Center, which houses approximately 5,000 students at Garfield Elementary School , Alta Sierra Intermediate School ,...
in Clovis, California
Clovis, California
Clovis is a city in Fresno County, California, United States, northeast of Fresno. The population is estimated to be 97,218 as of September, 2011. Clovis is located northeast of downtown Fresno, at an elevation of 361 feet .-History:...
, where his father is the coach of the baseball team and a history teacher. Donald played collegiately with the University of Arizona
Arizona Wildcats
-Athletic program:The University of Arizona participates in the NCAA's Division I-A in the Pacific-12 Conference Arizona participates in the conference's South Division, along with Arizona State, Colorado, UCLA, USC, and Utah...
.
Professional career
Donald was drafted by the Phillies in the third round (97th overall pick) of the 2006 MLB Draft. He was originally drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 20th round of the 2003 MLB Draft, straight out of high school, but chose not to sign.Donald was selected and participated in several All-Star games during the course of the 2008 season including the Eastern League All-Star game, and the premier event for minor leaguers, the MLB 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...
at Yankee Stadium.
In 2009, Donald played 9 games with the Phillies as part of the Gulf Coast League, going 6 for 26 (.231) before being assigned to the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs
Lehigh Valley IronPigs
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a minor league baseball team that plays in the International League. The IronPigs are the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. The team plays their home games at Coca-Cola Park, which is located in Allentown, Pennsylvania...
of 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...
. While with the Pigs, Jason had a .236 batting average with one home run over the course of 51 games.
On July 29, 2009, the Phillies traded Donald, along with Carlos Carrasco
Carlos Carrasco (baseball)
Carlos Luis Carrasco is a right-handed pitcher for the Cleveland Indians.-Career:Carrasco was signed as an undrafted free agent on November 25, by the Philadelphia Phillies. In , Carrasco spent the entire season at the Single-A level with the Lakewood BlueClaws, compiling a 2.26 ERA in 159.1...
, Lou Marson
Lou Marson
Louis Glenn Marson is an American professional baseball catcher with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. Marson stands and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed...
, and Jason Knapp to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland 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...
for 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....
and Ben Francisco
Ben Francisco
Louis Ben Francisco is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right handed.-Early life:...
.
On May 18, 2010, replacing the injured Asdrubal Cabrera
Asdrúbal Cabrera
Asdrúbal José Cabrera is a switch-hitting infielder for the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball.After coming up through the Seattle Mariners organization, he was acquired by the Indians on June 30, 2006, in exchange for Eduardo Perez...
, Donald started at shortstop vs. the Tampa Bay Rays
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...
and recorded his first major league hit on his first plate appearance. In his second at bat, he singled to right field against Rays starter David Price
David Price (baseball)
David Taylor Price is an American Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher for the Tampa Bay Rays. Price was selected first overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft by the Rays and made his major league debut in September 2008.Price pitched out of the bullpen during the Rays' run...
to begin his major league career 2-for-2. He then walked in his third at bat.
Armando Galarraga near-perfect game controversy
On June 2, 2010, Donald hit a ball to 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...
first 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....
that should have been the final out of a perfect game. When Cabrera tossed the ball to Armando Galarraga
Armando Galarraga
Armando Antonio Galarraga is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Galarraga made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on September 15, 2007...
who was covering at first, umpire Jim Joyce
Jim Joyce
James A. "Jim" Joyce III is a Major League Baseball umpire who has worked in the American League from 1987 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. He wears uniform number 66...
incorrectly called Donald safe, thus nullifying Galarraga's perfect game. Donald was ultimately credited with an infield single, and Galarraga had to settle for a one-hit-shutout. After the game, Joyce made a statement regarding the call,"I just cost that kid a perfect game. I thought he beat the throw. I was convinced he beat the throw, until I saw the replay." When asked about the play, Donald said, "I didn't know if I beat the throw or not. But given the circumstances, I thought for sure I'd be called out."
Olympics
Donald and Indians teammate Lou MarsonLou Marson
Louis Glenn Marson is an American professional baseball catcher with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball. Marson stands and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed...
were selected to the United States national baseball team
United States national baseball team
The United States National Baseball team represents the United States in international baseball competition. The United States has won the previous two Baseball World Cups, having lost this title to the Netherlands in 2011, and is currently second in the IBAF World Rankings, behind Cuba.The team...
. Donald helped lead the United States to a bronze medal at the 2008 Olympics. Donald homered in the bronze medal game and led the team at the games in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Donald batted .381 for the games.