Doug Mientkiewicz

From SoSH

Douglas Andrew Mientkiewicz was born on June 19, 1974 in Toledo, Ohio. He attended Florida State University and then was drafted in the fifth round by the Minnesota Twins in 1995 amateur draft.

Contents 1 Overall Career 2 Moment in the Sun 3 Trivia 4 Nicknames 5 Awards 6 Transactions 7 External Links

Overall Career

Doug made his major league debut in 1998 with the Twins. In 2001, he won the Gold Glove Award at first base. He played on the Twins until he was traded in the Nomar trade. He actually had to change locker rooms before the game (as Boston was at the Metrodome) and dress with his new teammates whom he had played against the night before. After winning the 2004 World Series, Mientkiewicz was traded to the Mets for Ian Bladergroen. Played a season with the Kansas City Royals in 2006, and then signed a one year contract with the New York Yankees for 2007. Mientkiewicz is expected to platoon at first base with Andy Phillips or Josh Phelps.

Moment in the Sun

Caught the last out in 2004 World Series hence ending The Curse of the Bambino. He then took the ball from the field. Legal battles ensued as the Red Sox claimed they had the rights to the ball.

Trivia

• Went to high school with and played in the same infield as Alex Rodriguez. Both wear the number 13 as a tribute to former Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino.

• Won both an Olympic gold medal (2000) and a World Series ring.

• Started over Ortiz for the Minnesota Twins.

• Won a Gold Glove in 2001.

Nicknames

• "Eyechart"
• "Minty Fresh"
• "Minky"
• "Malphabet"
• "Spider-man"
• "Mr. Mxyzptlk"

Awards

• 1998 Eastern League All-Star (AA)
• 2000 Pacific Coast All-Star (AAA)
• 2001 American League Gold Glove Award (1B)

Transactions

• June 1, 1995: Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 5th round of the 1995 amateur draft. Player signed July 8, 1995.
• July 31, 2004: Traded as part of a 4-team trade by the Minnesota Twins to the Boston Red Sox. The Boston Red Sox sent Nomar Garciaparra and Matt Murton to the Chicago Cubs. The Montreal Expos sent Orlando Cabrera to the Boston Red Sox. The Chicago Cubs sent Brendan Harris, Alex Gonzalez, and Francis Beltran to the Montreal Expos. The Chicago Cubs sent Justin Jones to the Minnesota Twins.
• January 27, 2005: Traded by the Boston Red Sox with cash to the New York Mets for Ian Bladergroen.
• November 1, 2005: Granted Free Agency.
• December 16, 2005: Signed as a Free Agent with the Kansas City Royals.
• January 5, 2007: Signed as a Free Agent with the New York Yankees.

External Links

• Baseball-Reference.com - Career Statistics and Analysis