Shannon Harold Stewart
Encyclopedia
Shannon Harold Stewart (born February 25, 1974) is a former American professional baseball
outfielder
wirh the Toronto Blue Jays
, Minnesota Twins
and Oakland Athletics
of Major League Baseball
.
and attended Miami Southridge High School
in South Miami Heights, Florida
, and was a student and a letterman in football, baseball, and track. In football, he was a starting cornerback as a sophomore, and as a junior, he was an All-Dade County selection. In baseball, as a senior, he was an All-Dade County selection.
in the 1st round (19th pick) of the 1992 amateur draft and made his debut on September 2, 1995. Stewart fluctuated between the majors and minors over the next several seasons, eventually finding a place in the every day Blue Jay lineup by the end of 1997.
In his first full season with the Blue Jays in 1998, he hit
.279, belting 12 home run
s and driving in
55 runs
. During that season, he stole
51 bases, a career-high. Playing alongside superstars Jose Canseco
, Roger Clemens
, and Carlos Delgado
that year, Stewart became a catalyst at the top of the Toronto lineup, providing speed and base-stealing ability, as well as some power and clutch-hitting. In every season from 1999 to 2002, Stewart batted .300 or higher and scored over 100 runs. He also showed some unexpected power, hitting 21 HRs in 2000.
Stewart spent parts of eight seasons with Toronto before he was dealt to the Minnesota Twins
for Bobby Kielty
in 2003. Stewart played in 855 games with Toronto, batting .301 with 218 doubles
, 73 home runs and 163 stolen bases.
. Stewart, now in the thick of a pennant race, was suddenly cast into the limelight. He hit .322 with the Twins, with an on base percentage
of .384. The Twins beat the Chicago White Sox
in a closely fought pennant race, but were defeated by the New York Yankees
in the American League Division Series
. Shannon finished 4th in American League MVP
voting, a remarkable accomplishment for a lead-off hitter.
agreed to a one-year deal worth $1 million with a possible extra $1.5 million more in incentives based on playing time.
On June 7, 2007, Stewart broke up Curt Schilling
's bid for a no-hitter
with a two out, bases-empty single
in the bottom of the ninth inning. This was the second time Stewart has broken up a late game no-hitter; in 2001, he got a single to break up Hideo Nomo
's no-hit bid.
Stewart finished his one season with the A's hitting .290 with 12 home runs and 48 RBI in 146 games.
In 2007, Stewart was noted as one of only 69 (9.2%) players on the 25 man roster of MLB teams who identified as African American, as compared to 27% of players identifying as African American in 1975.
. This move came as a surprise to many who never thought Stewart would be back in a Jays uniform, especially when the Jays re-signed left fielder Reed Johnson
.
Stewart ended up being chosen by the Jays to take over left field, in a platoon with Matt Stairs
, over the fan favorite Reed Johnson
, who was released by the team. On March 30, the Blue Jays purchased Stewart's contract from Triple-A Syracuse. He was released by the Blue Jays on August 11.
problems in both feet, limiting him to 92 games in 2004 and only 44 in 2006. While playing football in high school, Stewart suffered an injury to his shoulder, thus weakening his throwing ability. Because his arm is not as strong as it once was, he has sometimes been considered a liability in the field; opposing base runners frequently take bases they might not take if another fielder were playing his position.
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...
outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
wirh the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
and 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....
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...
.
High school years
Stewart was born in Cincinnati, OhioCincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
and attended Miami Southridge High School
Miami Southridge High School
Miami Southridge Senior High School is a secondary school located at 19355 SW 114 Avenue in Miami, Florida, USA . Its principal is David K. Moore...
in South Miami Heights, Florida
South Miami Heights, Florida
South Miami Heights is a census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, Florida, United States. The population was 33,522 at the 2000 census.-Geography:South Miami Heights is located at ....
, and was a student and a letterman in football, baseball, and track. In football, he was a starting cornerback as a sophomore, and as a junior, he was an All-Dade County selection. In baseball, as a senior, he was an All-Dade County selection.
Toronto Blue Jays
Shannon Stewart was drafted by the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
in the 1st round (19th pick) of the 1992 amateur draft and made his debut on September 2, 1995. Stewart fluctuated between the majors and minors over the next several seasons, eventually finding a place in the every day Blue Jay lineup by the end of 1997.
In his first full season with the Blue Jays in 1998, he hit
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 :...
.279, belting 12 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 and driving in
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...
55 runs
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
. During that season, he stole
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
51 bases, a career-high. Playing alongside superstars Jose Canseco
José Canseco
José Canseco Capas, Jr. is a Cuban-American professional baseball manager, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Yuma Scorpions of the North American League and former Major League Baseball player. He is the identical twin brother of former major league player and current teammate Ozzie Canseco...
, Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
, and Carlos Delgado
Carlos Delgado
Carlos Juan Delgado Hernández is a retired Puerto Rican professional baseball player. With 473 home runs and 1,512 RBI, he holds the all-time home run and RBI records among Puerto Rican players....
that year, Stewart became a catalyst at the top of the Toronto lineup, providing speed and base-stealing ability, as well as some power and clutch-hitting. In every season from 1999 to 2002, Stewart batted .300 or higher and scored over 100 runs. He also showed some unexpected power, hitting 21 HRs in 2000.
Stewart spent parts of eight seasons with Toronto before he was dealt to the Minnesota Twins
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
for Bobby Kielty
Bobby Kielty
Robert Micheal Kielty is an American professional baseball outfielder for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.-College :...
in 2003. Stewart played in 855 games with Toronto, batting .301 with 218 doubles
Double (baseball)
In baseball, a double is the act of a batter striking the pitched ball and safely reaching second base without being called out by the umpire, without the benefit of a fielder's misplay or another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, 73 home runs and 163 stolen bases.
Minnesota Twins
Stewart was traded, along with the balance of his salary, in 2003 to the Minnesota Twins for Bobby Kielty in a move designed to allow the Jays to later acquire Ted LillyTed Lilly
Theodore Roosevelt "Ted" Lilly III , is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He bats and throws left-handed...
. Stewart, now in the thick of a pennant race, was suddenly cast into the limelight. He hit .322 with the Twins, with an on base percentage
On base percentage
In baseball statistics, on-base percentage is a measure of how often a batter reaches base for any reason other than a fielding error, fielder's choice, dropped/uncaught third strike, fielder's obstruction, or catcher's interference In baseball statistics, on-base percentage (OBP) (sometimes...
of .384. The Twins beat 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...
in a closely fought pennant race, but were defeated 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...
in the American League Division Series
2003 American League Division Series
-Oakland Athletics vs. Boston Red Sox:-Game 1, September 30:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York-Game 2, October 2:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New York-Game 3, October 4:Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota-Game 4, October 5:...
. Shannon finished 4th in American League MVP
MLB Most Valuable Player Award
The Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
voting, a remarkable accomplishment for a lead-off hitter.
Oakland Athletics
On February 7, 2007, Stewart and the Oakland AthleticsOakland 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....
agreed to a one-year deal worth $1 million with a possible extra $1.5 million more in incentives based on playing time.
On June 7, 2007, Stewart broke up Curt Schilling
Curt Schilling
Curtis Montague "Curt" Schilling is a former American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to the World Series in and won World Series championships in with the Arizona Diamondbacks and in and with the Boston Red Sox. Schilling retired with a...
's bid for a no-hitter
No-hitter
A no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
with a two out, bases-empty single
Single (baseball)
In baseball, a single is the most common type of base hit, accomplished through the act of a batter safely reaching first base by hitting a fair ball and getting to first base before a fielder puts him out...
in the bottom of the ninth inning. This was the second time Stewart has broken up a late game no-hitter; in 2001, he got a single to break up Hideo Nomo
Hideo Nomo
is a former right-handed pitcher in Nippon Professional Baseball and Major League Baseball from Japan. He achieved early success in Japan, where he played with the Kintetsu Buffaloes from to...
's no-hit bid.
Stewart finished his one season with the A's hitting .290 with 12 home runs and 48 RBI in 146 games.
In 2007, Stewart was noted as one of only 69 (9.2%) players on the 25 man roster of MLB teams who identified as African American, as compared to 27% of players identifying as African American in 1975.
Second stint with Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays signed Stewart to a minor league deal on February 24, 2008, and gave their former first-round pick an invitation to spring trainingSpring 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...
. This move came as a surprise to many who never thought Stewart would be back in a Jays uniform, especially when the Jays re-signed left fielder Reed Johnson
Reed Johnson
Reed Cameron Johnson is an American professional baseball outfielder. He was born in Riverside, California-College career:...
.
Stewart ended up being chosen by the Jays to take over left field, in a platoon with Matt Stairs
Matt Stairs
Matthew Wade Stairs is a former Canadian professional Major League baseball outfielder, first baseman, designated hitter, and pinch hitter. He played for 12 different teams, a major league record he shares with Octavio Dotel, Mike Morgan and Ron Villone...
, over the fan favorite Reed Johnson
Reed Johnson
Reed Cameron Johnson is an American professional baseball outfielder. He was born in Riverside, California-College career:...
, who was released by the team. On March 30, the Blue Jays purchased Stewart's contract from Triple-A Syracuse. He was released by the Blue Jays on August 11.
Injuries
After his stellar 2003 season, Stewart suffered from plantar fasciitisPlantar fasciitis
Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory process of the plantar fascia, the connective tissue on the sole of the foot.Longstanding cases of plantar fasciitis often demonstrate more degenerative changes than inflammatory changes, in which case they are termed plantar fasciosis. The suffix...
problems in both feet, limiting him to 92 games in 2004 and only 44 in 2006. While playing football in high school, Stewart suffered an injury to his shoulder, thus weakening his throwing ability. Because his arm is not as strong as it once was, he has sometimes been considered a liability in the field; opposing base runners frequently take bases they might not take if another fielder were playing his position.
Accomplishments
- Finished 4th in American League MVP voting (2003)
- 3rd in the American League in steals (1998, 51 steals)
- 4th in the American League in steals (1999, 37 steals)