Full Name : James Patrick Edmonds
Born : June 27, 1970
Hometown : Fullerton, California
Height : 6' 1
Weight : 212 lbs
Bats : Left
Throws : Left
Major League Baseball debut : September 9, 1993 for the California Angels
Primary Position : Center field
Not too many outfielders have even matched the effort that Jim Edmonds gives when he steps on the field. Born on June 27, 1970, in Fullerton, California, Edmonds would grow to become one of the game's most respected athletes. Fans have grown to admire his play, earning him the nickname "Jimmy Baseball." The bumps and bruises that Edmonds has suffered from his exceptional performances are countless. His presence at the plate as a slugging lefty also instills a sense of fear into the opposition. Some have even gone as far as calling him “Hollywood” considering he brings a new level of entertainment to the game of baseball.
Edmonds was selected by the California Angels in the 7th round of the 1988 Major League Baseball draft. He eventually made it to the big leagues in 1993, and it was during this time that fans got a preview of what this young athlete would bring to the California organization. In his early career, he showed signs of extreme patience at the plate, which was considered extraordinary since he was always recognized as a power-hitter. 1995 was definitely an emerging season for Edmonds, as he belted 33 home runs and drove in 107 RBI's. However, as stated earlier, Edmonds' power was not his only asset. Edmonds also had a very keen eye at the plate, giving him a strong ability to work many counts. To this day, he ranks with the best in pitches seen per plate appearance, a highly-underrated statistic in baseball.
The 1997 season definitely served as a milestone in Edmonds' career, as this was the year that he won his first of many Gold Glove Awards. In addition, he also belted 26 home runs and drove in 80 RBI's while posting a very respectable on-base percentage of .368.
Just when Angels fans began to place extreme value on the contributions that Edmonds was making, he signed with the St. Louis Cardinals after the 1999 season. After suffering from limited playing time that year, the Angels felt that he wasn't worth the gamble.
Unfortunate for the Angels organization, Edmonds returned in 2000 stronger than ever. After belting 42 homers, driving in 108 RBI's, and demonstrating extreme patience with an on-base percentage of .411, Edmonds was starting to prove why he was one of the game's best all-around athletes. He also won his third Gold Glove Award during that season, in addition to making his first appearance as a starter in the All-Star game. He finished the season ending 4th in National League MVP voting, and Cardinals fans began to consider him the heart and soul of their ball club.
In 2006, Edmonds helped lead the St. Louis Cardinals to their first World Series title since 1982. Baseball fans have learned to respect the boundless effort that Edmonds gives every game. He hopes to eventually retire as a St. Louis Cardinal. After winning eight Gold Glove Awards, making four all-star appearances, and earning one Silver Slugger Award, there is every reason to believe that Edmonds' efforts will classify him as one of baseball's most elite performers.
|
