Keith Mitchell (baseball player)
Encyclopedia
Keith Alexander Mitchell (born August 6, 1969 in San Diego, California
) is a former professional baseball
player. He played parts of four seasons in Major League Baseball
for the Atlanta Braves
, Seattle Mariners
, Cincinnati Reds
and Boston Red Sox
. He also played in the Korea Baseball Organization
for the Haitai Tigers
.
Mitchell was drafted by the Braves in the 4th round of the 1987 amateur draft
. He debuted with the Braves
on July 23, 1991 and went on to hit .318 in 48 games that season, but that was his last shot at the bigs with Atlanta. He did, however, earn some playing time as the left fielder for the Braves in that year's postseason.
All his stints in the majors were short and far apart from one another. In 1994
, he played in 46 games with the Mariners and in 1996
, he played in 11 games with the Reds
. His major league career ended 2 years later in 1998 after playing 23 games with the Red Sox
. He also was the third out in John Valentin
's unassisted triple play
on July 8, 1994.
In 2006-07, Mitchell served as manager
of the Swing of the Quad Cities
, a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals
. In 2008, he was the hitting coach of the Palm Beach Cardinals
.
He is a cousin of Kevin Mitchell.
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
) is a former professional baseball
Professional baseball
Baseball is a team sport which is played by several professional leagues throughout the world. In these leagues, and associated farm teams, players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system....
player. He played parts of four seasons in 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...
for 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....
, 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...
, Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
and 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"...
. He also played in the Korea Baseball Organization
Korea Baseball Organization
The Korea Baseball Organization is the governing body for the professional leagues of baseball in South Korea. KBO should not be confused with the Korea Professional Baseball League. KBO was founded in 1981 and has been governing two leagues, Korea Professional Baseball and Futures League since...
for the Haitai Tigers
Kia Tigers
Kia Tigers Professional Baseball Club is a Korean professional baseball team founded in 1982. The Tigers are a member team of the Korean Baseball Organization and the most successful team in Korean baseball having won the national championship, the Korean Series, ten times, with a perfect 10-0...
.
Mitchell was drafted by the Braves in the 4th round of the 1987 amateur draft
1987 Major League Baseball Draft
-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1987 Major League Baseball draft.-Supplemental First Round Selections:-External links:*...
. He debuted with the Braves
1991 Atlanta Braves season
In 1991, the Atlanta Braves became the first team in the National League to go from last place one year to first place the next. This feat was also accomplished by the 1991 Minnesota Twins...
on July 23, 1991 and went on to hit .318 in 48 games that season, but that was his last shot at the bigs with Atlanta. He did, however, earn some playing time as the left fielder for the Braves in that year's postseason.
All his stints in the majors were short and far apart from one another. In 1994
1994 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners 1994 season was their 18th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing 3rd in the American League West, finishing with a record of 49-63...
, he played in 46 games with the Mariners and in 1996
1996 Seattle Mariners season
The Seattle Mariners 1996 season was their 20th since the franchise creation, and ended the season finishing second in the American League West,with a record of 85-76, five games behind the first place Texas Rangers. The Mariners scored more runs during the 1996 regular season than any other MLB...
, he played in 11 games with the Reds
1996 Cincinnati Reds season
The Cincinnati Reds' 1996 season consisted of the Cincinnati Reds attempting to win the National League Central.-Offseason:*December 7, 1995: Chris Sabo was signed as a Free Agent with the Cincinnati Reds....
. His major league career ended 2 years later in 1998 after playing 23 games with the Red Sox
1998 Boston Red Sox season
The Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 92 wins and 70 losses.-Offseason:...
. He also was the third out in John Valentin
John Valentin
John William Valentin is a former shortstop and third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played most of his major league career with the Boston Red Sox, with his final season being for the New York Mets. He batted and threw right-handed...
's unassisted triple play
Unassisted triple play
In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes all three putouts by himself in one continuous play, without any teammates touching the ball . In Major League Baseball , it is one of the rarest of individual feats, along with hitting four home runs in one game and the...
on July 8, 1994.
In 2006-07, Mitchell served as manager
Manager (baseball)
In baseball, the field manager is an individual who is responsible for matters of team strategy on the field and team leadership. Managers are typically assisted by between one and six assistant coaches, whose responsibilities are specialized...
of the Swing of the Quad Cities
Swing of the Quad Cities
The Quad Cities River Bandits are a Class A minor league baseball team, affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals, that plays in the Midwest League...
, a minor league affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals
St. 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...
. In 2008, he was the hitting coach of the Palm Beach Cardinals
Palm Beach Cardinals
The Palm Beach Cardinals are a minor league baseball team based in Jupiter in Palm Beach County, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals major-league club....
.
He is a cousin of Kevin Mitchell.