William Joshua Reddick (born February 19, 1987) is an American
professional baseball
Professional baseball is organized baseball in which players are selected for their talents and are paid to play for a specific team or club system. It is played in baseball league, leagues and associated farm teams throughout the world.
Mod ...
outfielder
An outfielder is a person playing in one of the three defensive positions in baseball or softball, farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder. As an outfielder, their duty is to cat ...
who plays for the
Perth Heat
The Perth Heat is a baseball team in the current Australian Baseball League and a foundation member of the Australian Baseball League. It is now the most successful team in ABL, winning 15 Claxton Shields.
Australian Baseball League (1989–19 ...
in the
Australian Baseball League
The Australian Baseball League (ABL) is a professional baseball league in Australia. The league is governed by the Australian Baseball Federation (ABF). It uses the same name as a now-defunct competition held during the 1990s, and though it sh ...
. The
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
selected Reddick in the 17th round of the
2006 MLB draft, and he made his major league debut in 2009. He also played in
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
(MLB) for the
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
,
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
,
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...
and
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...
. Reddick won an
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league ...
(AL)
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as simply the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in bo ...
in .
Amateur career
Reddick played for his school's team in middle school, but was cut from the team twice. He attended
South Effingham High School
South Effingham High School is one of two public high schools located in Effingham County, Georgia, northwest of Savannah. The school was created in 1996 when Effingham County High School was split.
The school is known for its excellent academ ...
in
Guyton, Georgia
Guyton is a city in Effingham County, Georgia, Effingham County, Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia, United States. The population was 2,289 at the 2020 United States Census, 2020 census, up from 1,684 in 2010 United States Census, 2010. Guyton is loc ...
. Previously a
shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball or softball fielding position between second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive positions. Historically the position was assigned to defensive specialists who ...
, Reddick transitioned to the outfield during his junior year of high school. He then attended
Middle Georgia College
Middle Georgia College (MGC) was a four-year state college unit of the University System of Georgia. On January 8, 2013, it was consolidated with Macon State College into a new institution, which is now known as Middle Georgia State University.
T ...
, playing baseball in the
NJCAA
The National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), founded in 1938, is the governing association of community college, state college and junior college athletics throughout the United States. Currently the NJCAA holds 24 separate regions ...
. As a freshman at Middle Georgia, Reddick hit .461.
Professional career
Boston Red Sox
![Josh Reddick on July 20, 2011](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/48/Josh_Reddick_on_July_20%2C_2011.jpg)
The
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
selected Reddick in the 17th round of the
2006 MLB draft.
On July 31, , Reddick was called up to the major leagues to replace
Adam LaRoche
David Adam LaRoche (born November 6, 1979) is an American former professional baseball first baseman who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks ...
, who had been traded. He made his major league debut that night, pinch-hitting for
Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Daniel Baldelli (; born September 25, 1981) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and coach who is the manager of the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). As a player, Baldelli quickly progressed through the minor ...
in the ninth inning and grounding out against
Cla Meredith
Olise Cla Meredith III (; born June 4, 1983), nicknamed "The Claw," is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He played for the Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres, and Baltimore Orioles.
Collegiate career
Meredith attended Virginia Comm ...
of the
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
in his only
at-bat
In baseball, an at bat (AB) or time at bat is a batter's turn batting against a pitcher. An at bat is different from a plate appearance. A batter is credited with a plate appearance regardless of what happens during their turn at bat, but a bat ...
. He recorded his first MLB hit in the next game, a double in the second inning off of
David Hernandez. He doubled again later in the game against
Chris Ray
Christopher Thomas Ray (born January 12, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Texas Rangers, San Francisco Giants, and Seattle Mariners.
Early life and c ...
for his first multi-hit major league game. On August 2, 2009, he hit his first major league
home run
In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run i ...
against
Brian Bass
Brian Michael Bass (born January 6, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and former pitching coach for the Stevenson University Mustangs in addition to offering private pitching instructions. He played for the Minnesota Twin ...
. Reddick was optioned back to the
Triple A-
Pawtucket Red Sox
The Pawtucket Red Sox, known colloquially as the PawSox, were a professional minor league baseball club based in Pawtucket, Rhode Island. From 1973 to 2020, the team was a member of the International League and served as the Triple-A affiliate ...
on August 5. The move allowed a depleted Red Sox bullpen to use
Billy Traber
William Henry Traber, Jr. (born September 18, 1979) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Washington Nationals, New York Yankees, and Boston Red Sox.
Playing caree ...
's services. Reddick was recalled the next day when Rocco Baldelli was placed on the disabled list with a left ankle contusion.
Reddick started 2010 in
Pawtucket but was recalled in April 2010 after
Mike Cameron
Michael Terrance Cameron (born January 8, 1973) is an American former professional Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, B ...
went on the DL. Reddick again started 2011 in Pawtucket but was recalled on May 26, 2011, after
Darnell McDonald Darnell is a unisex given name and surname. The surname refers to a group of people in medieval ages who grew a plant called Darnel, which had intoxicatory properties. The last name originated in France, the plant can only grow in Mediterranean clim ...
was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained left quad. He was able to stay in the majors after the Red Sox designated Cameron for assignment on June 29, 2011, effectively removing Cameron from the active and 40-man rosters, leaving room for Reddick.
Oakland Athletics
On December 28, 2011, the Red Sox traded Reddick and minor league players
Raúl Alcántara
Raúl Alcántara (born December 4, 1992) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Doosan Bears of Korea Baseball Organization (KBO). He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics and in the KBO League f ...
and Miles Head to the
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
for
Andrew Bailey and
Ryan Sweeney
Ryan Joseph Sweeney (born February 20, 1985) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.
Early life
Sweeney was b ...
. Reddick finished 2012 with 32
home run
In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run i ...
s and 85
RBIs
A run batted in (RBI; plural RBIs ) is a statistic in baseball and softball that credits a batter for making a play that allows a run to be scored (except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play). For example, if the bat ...
, both career highs, as he helped lead the A's to the American League West division title. He was named the American League right field
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as simply the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in bo ...
winner on October 30, 2012.
Reddick began 2013 as the starting right fielder. On May 7, he was placed on the disabled list with a sprained right wrist, and was activated on May 31. Through most of the 2013 season, Reddick failed to retain the power he had from the previous season. Through August 8, he had hit .203 with only five home runs on the season. But on August 9, 2013, Reddick hit 3 home runs in a single game for the first time in his career in a 14–6 rout against the Toronto Blue Jays. On the next day, he homered twice more against Toronto. The total of five home runs in two games tied the Major League record for most home runs in consecutive games. On August 26 Reddick was placed on the 15-day disabled list with an injured right wrist. He returned on September 11. From August 9 to the end of the season, Reddick hit .284/.357/.514 with 7 home runs and 19 RBI. In 114 total games, he hit .226/.307/.379 with 12 home runs and 56 RBI.
After the season, Reddick underwent arthroscopic surgery on his wrist, which caused him to miss 37 games on the disabled list. He arrived at spring training fully healthy in 2014. On February 15, 2014, Reddick and the Athletics agreed on a one-year $2.7 million deal, avoiding arbitration. Reddick announced that he would wear number 22 for the 2015 season so that
Billy Butler could wear number 16.
Reddick signed with the Athletics for $4.1 million in 2015, and $6.575 million in 2016, his last year before qualifying for free agency.
Los Angeles Dodgers
On August 1, 2016, the Athletics traded Reddick and
Rich Hill to the
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
for
Grant Holmes
Harrison Grant Holmes (born March 22, 1996) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Atlanta Braves organization. He was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first round of the 2014 Major League Baseball draft.
Career
Holmes atten ...
,
Jharel Cotton
Jharel Leandre Cotton (born January 19, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and San Francisco Giants. Cotton ...
, and
Frankie Montas
Francellis Montas Luna (born March 21, 1993) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox and Oakland Athletics.
Montas signed a ...
. After a slow start with the Dodgers, he wound up hitting .258 in 47 games for them, including two homers.
Houston Astros
The
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...
signed Reddick to a four-year deal worth $52 million on November 23, 2016. During the 2017 regular season, he appeared in 134 games for Houston, batting .314/.363/.484 with 13 home runs and 82 RBIs. He tied for the major league lead in
sacrifice flies
In baseball, a sacrifice fly (sometimes abbreviated to sac fly) is defined by Rule 9.08(d):
"Score a sacrifice fly when, before two are out, the batter hits a ball in flight handled by an outfielder or an infielder running in the outfield in fair o ...
(12).
In Game 3 of the
ALDS against the Red Sox, Reddick accidentally assisted
Jackie Bradley Jr. in hitting a 3-run home run as his leaping attempt to catch the ball caused it to pop out of his glove and over the wall for a home run. The Astros ultimately lost the game 10–3. Reddick redeemed himself the next day in Game 4 however, as he hit an RBI single with 2 outs in the top of the 8th inning of a tie game off of
Craig Kimbrel
Craig Michael Kimbrel (born May 28, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Chicag ...
and helped the Astros defeat the Red Sox and move on to the
ALCS. In Game 2 of the ALCS, Reddick made a leaping catch to rob
Chase Headley
Chase Jordan Headley (born May 9, 1984) is an American former professional baseball third baseman. A switch-hitter, Headley made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the San Diego Padres in 2007, and also played for the New York Yankees.
H ...
of a home run in the third inning against the
Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one of ...
. In making the catch, Reddick put his right hand in front of the opening of his glove to make sure the ball didn't slip out again. The Astros went on to win the
2017 World Series
The 2017 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2017 season. The 113th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff played between the National League (NL) champion Los Angeles Dodgers and the ...
, giving Reddick his first championship, amid a
sign stealing scandal.
In April 2018, Reddick became the second Astro in franchise history to hit two grand slams in one calendar month,
Jeff Bagwell
Jeffrey Robert Bagwell (born May 27, 1968) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and coach who spent his entire 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) playing career with the Houston Astros.
Originally a Boston Red Sox fourth- ...
having been the first to do it (in May 2001). Reddick hit his grand slams on April 3 in a 10–6 win against the
Orioles
Oriole or Orioles may refer to:
Animals
* Old World oriole, colorful passerine birds in the family Oriolidae
* New World oriole, a group of birds in the family Icteridae
Music
* The Orioles, an R&B and doo-wop group of the late 1940s and earl ...
and on April 21 in a 10–1 victory over the
White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and ...
. In 2018, he batted .242/.318/.400.
In 2019, Reddick batted .275/.319/.409 with 14 home runs and 46 RBIs in 201 at bats. In 2020, he batted .245/.316/.378 with 4 home runs and 23 RBIs in 188 at bats.
Arizona Diamondbacks
On April 12, 2021, Reddick signed a minor league contract with the
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...
organization. On May 20, Reddick was selected to the active roster.
On July 10, 2021, Reddick made his pitching debut in the team's 22-1 loss to the
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
. During the appearance, he surrendered an eighth-inning, two-run home run to
Albert Pujols. On August 5, 2021, Reddick was designated for assignment by the Diamondbacks. On August 7, the Diamondbacks released Reddick.
New York Mets
On August 11, 2021, Reddick signed a minor league contract with the
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...
. Reddick played in 11 games for the Triple-A
Syracuse Mets
The Syracuse Mets are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets. They are located in Syracuse, New York, and play their home games at NBT Bank Stadium, which open ...
, hitting .182 with 1 home run and 4 RBI's. On August 29, 2021, Reddick was released by the Mets.
Acereros de Monclova
On February 9, 2022, Reddick signed with the
Acereros de Monclova
The Acereros de Monclova (English: Monclova Steelers) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Monclova, Coahuila, Mexico. Their home ballpark is Estadio de Béisbol Monclova, which has a capacity of 11,000 people. The Acere ...
of the
Mexican League
The Mexican League (, ) is a professional baseball league based in Mexico and the oldest running professional league in the country.
The league has 18 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games each season. Five te ...
. He appeared in 28 games, batting .293/.407/.475 with 4 home runs and 13 RBIs. Reddick unexpectedly announced his retirement following a game against the
Mariachis de Guadalajara
The Mariachis de Guadalajara (English language, English: Guadalajara Mariachis) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Zapopan, Jalisco. Their home ballpark is Estadio de Béisbol Charros de Jalisco y Atletismo, Estadio Pan ...
on May 25, 2022.
Perth Heat
Despite Reddick's previous retirement announcement in May, he later signed for the
Perth Heat
The Perth Heat is a baseball team in the current Australian Baseball League and a foundation member of the Australian Baseball League. It is now the most successful team in ABL, winning 15 Claxton Shields.
Australian Baseball League (1989–19 ...
in the
Australian Baseball League
The Australian Baseball League (ABL) is a professional baseball league in Australia. The league is governed by the Australian Baseball Federation (ABF). It uses the same name as a now-defunct competition held during the 1990s, and though it sh ...
in October, 2022.
Personal life
Reddick and his wife Georgette married in 2019 and welcomed twin boys that same year.
They reside in
Crosby, Texas
Crosby is a census-designated place in Harris County, Texas, United States. The population was 3,417 at the 2020 census.
History
The site north of U.S. Route 90 (according to some) was an encampment nicknamed Lick Skillet in 1823 by Humphrey ...
.
See also
*
Houston Astros sign stealing scandal
The Houston Astros sign stealing scandal resulted from a series of rule violations by members of the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB), who used technology to steal signs of opposing teams during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.
For yea ...
References
External links
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:Reddick, Josh
1987 births
Living people
Major League Baseball right fielders
Gold Glove Award winners
Boston Red Sox players
Oakland Athletics players
Los Angeles Dodgers players
Houston Astros players
Arizona Diamondbacks players
Portland Sea Dogs players
Lancaster JetHawks players
Pawtucket Red Sox players
Greenville Drive players
Scottsdale Scorpions players
Gigantes del Cibao players
American expatriate baseball players in the Dominican Republic
Stockton Ports players
Sacramento River Cats players
Nashville Sounds players
Corpus Christi Hooks players
Middle Georgia Warriors baseball players
Baseball players from Savannah, Georgia
People from Effingham County, Georgia
Reno Aces players
Syracuse Mets players
Acereros de Monclova players
American expatriate baseball players in Mexico