Chris Woodward turns 36 today.
Chris is currently playing in Vegas, hitting .256/.298/.381 in 46 games to this point. The warm Vegas air can't turn everyone into a slugger.
Woodward was picked by the Blue Jays in the 54th round of the 1994 draft. He's the only player from that round, that year, to make it to the majors. He made it up to Toronto in 1999 and played as a utility infielder for us for the next 6 seasons. His best year was 2002, where he played 90 games, hitting 13 home runs, with 45 RBI and a .276/.330/.468, the only time in his career that he would slug over .400.
He signed with the Mets, as a free agent, after the 2004 season. After that he bounced around, playing a bit for the Braves, Mariners, Red Sox, Mariners again and then, the Jays signed him during spring training, last year. Depth for the minors mostly, though he did get a couple of call ups, one in late April and then again in September. He had no hits in 10 at bats.
I have a fair amount of affection for the guy. You have to cheer for someone that makes it to the majors after being picked in the 54th round of the draft. Who doesn't like the gritty middle infielder type? In 659 MLB games he has 33 home runs, 191 RBI and a .239/.296/.365 line.
Happy Birthday Chris. Hope it is a good one.