Jermaine Dye
Encyclopedia
Jermaine Trevell Dye is a retired American
Major League Baseball
right fielder
and designated hitter
. Dye played with the Atlanta Braves
(1996), Kansas City Royals
(1997–2001), Oakland Athletics
(2001–04), and the Chicago White Sox
(2005–2009). Dye won the World Series MVP with the White Sox in 2005. Dye batted and threw right-handed and, in his prime, was known for his ability to hit for power and his powerful throwing arm. Dye announced his retirement on March 31, 2011.
in Sacramento
. He was selected by Atlanta in the 17th round of the 1993 amateur draft. Dye made his Major League debut with the Braves, hitting a home run in his first Major League at-bat. He was traded to the Royals during the 1997 offseason in a package that brought Michael Tucker and Keith Lockhart
to Atlanta.
team.
. He batted .252 while with the A's.
to a two-year, $10.15 million free-agent contract with an option for 2007.http://kffl.com/player/5456/mlb
He played 145 games in 2005, the most since his injury, including an appearance at first base and shortstop. He batted .274 with 31 home runs, slugged .512 and stole 11 bases in regular season play, and was named World Series
MVP
, batting .438 with one home run and three RBIs. His RBI single off Houston Astros
closer
Brad Lidge
provided the deciding run in Chicago's 1-0 Game 4 victory, clinching the Series sweep
2006 proved to be his best offensive season; he finished second in the league with 44 home runs, third in slugging at .622, fifth in runs batted in with 120, batted .315, and placed fifth in AL Most Valuable Player voting. On Mother's Day
, May 14, Dye was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat
to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. Dye was selected to the American League All-Star Team for the second time in his career after a scorching first half in which he batted .318, struck 25 home runs and slugged .646. Dye was awarded a Silver Slugger for his offensive performance.
On October 30, 2006, the White Sox exercised their $6.75 million option for Dye's 2007 season.
Dye, along with many other Chicago hitters, struggled in the first half of 2007, including a cold June in which he batted just .203 with one home run. He turned his game around in the second half, batting .298 and knocking out 20 doubles and 16 home runs, and finished with a batting line of .254/.317/.486. He was signed to a two-year contract extension in August.
He returned to form in 2008 for the division champion White Sox, finishing second in the American League with 77 extra-base hits and batting .292 with 34 home runs overall. Dye finished second to Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria
in Final Vote balloting for the last spot on the American League All-Star roster.
On November 6, 2009, Dye's $12 million mutual option was bought out for $950,000, making him a free agent.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
and designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
. Dye played with 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....
(1996), Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
(1997–2001), 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....
(2001–04), and the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
(2005–2009). Dye won the World Series MVP with the White Sox in 2005. Dye batted and threw right-handed and, in his prime, was known for his ability to hit for power and his powerful throwing arm. Dye announced his retirement on March 31, 2011.
Atlanta Braves
He attended Will C. Wood High School in Vacaville, California and Cosumnes River CollegeCosumnes River College
Cosumnes River College is a two-year community college located at the southern edge of Sacramento in Sacramento County, California.The college is part of the Los Rios Community College District and was opened in 1970. Current enrollment is 13,500 students at its main campus...
in Sacramento
Sacramento
Sacramento is the capital of the state of California, in the United States of America.Sacramento may also refer to:- United States :*Sacramento County, California*Sacramento, Kentucky*Sacramento – San Joaquin River Delta...
. He was selected by Atlanta in the 17th round of the 1993 amateur draft. Dye made his Major League debut with the Braves, hitting a home run in his first Major League at-bat. He was traded to the Royals during the 1997 offseason in a package that brought Michael Tucker and Keith Lockhart
Keith Lockhart (baseball)
Keith Virgil Lockhart is a retired second baseman and third baseman who played for 10 seasons in the major leagues from -....
to Atlanta.
Kansas City Royals
He was traded to Kansas City on March 27, 1997. In 1999 Dye played in 158 games for the Royals, hitting 26 home runs. He was one of the more well-liked Royals at that time, with fans frequently chanting "Dye-no-mite" after he came up to bat. The next year he made the American League All-StarMajor League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
team.
Oakland Athletics
Jermaine wore jersey number 24, which would later be retired for Rickey HendersonRickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
. He batted .252 while with the A's.
Chicago White Sox
Prior to the 2005 season, Dye was signed by the Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
to a two-year, $10.15 million free-agent contract with an option for 2007.http://kffl.com/player/5456/mlb
He played 145 games in 2005, the most since his injury, including an appearance at first base and shortstop. He batted .274 with 31 home runs, slugged .512 and stole 11 bases in regular season play, and was named World Series
2005 World Series
The 2005 World Series, the 101st Major League Baseball championship series, saw the American League champion Chicago White Sox sweep the National League champion Houston Astros four games to none in the best-of-seven-games series, winning their third championship and first since 1917.Home-field...
MVP
World Series MVP Award
The World Series Most Valuable Player Award is given to the player deemed to have the most impact on his team's performance in the World Series, which is the final round of the Major League Baseball postseason...
, batting .438 with one home run and three RBIs. His RBI single off 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...
closer
Closer (baseball)
In baseball, a closing pitcher, more frequently referred to as a closer , is a relief pitcher who specializes in closing out games, i.e., getting the final outs in a close game. Closers often appear when the score is close, and the role is often assigned to a team's best reliever. A small number of...
Brad Lidge
Brad Lidge
Bradley Thomas "Brad" Lidge is a reliever who is currently a free agent. Nicknamed "Lights Out", he is the all-time leader in strikeouts per nine innings among pitchers with at least 200 appearances in their career...
provided the deciding run in Chicago's 1-0 Game 4 victory, clinching the Series sweep
Mother's Day (United States)
In the United States, Mother's Day is an annual holiday celebrated on the second Sunday in May. Mother's Day recognizes mothers, motherhood and maternal bonds in general, as well the positive contributions that they make to society....
, May 14, Dye was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat
Pink bat
In baseball, pink bats are limited-supply baseball bats manufactured by Louisville Slugger for use by select Major League Baseball players on Mother's Day, first introduced in 2006 in association with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization...
to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. Dye was selected to the American League All-Star Team for the second time in his career after a scorching first half in which he batted .318, struck 25 home runs and slugged .646. Dye was awarded a Silver Slugger for his offensive performance.
On October 30, 2006, the White Sox exercised their $6.75 million option for Dye's 2007 season.
Dye, along with many other Chicago hitters, struggled in the first half of 2007, including a cold June in which he batted just .203 with one home run. He turned his game around in the second half, batting .298 and knocking out 20 doubles and 16 home runs, and finished with a batting line of .254/.317/.486. He was signed to a two-year contract extension in August.
He returned to form in 2008 for the division champion White Sox, finishing second in the American League with 77 extra-base hits and batting .292 with 34 home runs overall. Dye finished second to Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria
Evan Longoria
Evan Michael Longoria is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Tampa Bay Rays. Formerly, Longoria was a star infielder for the Long Beach State University baseball team, the Cape Cod League MVP, and the Big West Co-Player of the Year.He made his major league debut for the Rays in , and...
in Final Vote balloting for the last spot on the American League All-Star roster.
On November 6, 2009, Dye's $12 million mutual option was bought out for $950,000, making him a free agent.
See also
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
- Home run in first at-bat