MLB Player Profile: Coco Crisp
Oakland Athletics’ centre-fielder, Coco Crisp displayed a brilliant performance in preceding games as he hit number of RBIs and homers during second half of regular season. He also positioned himself in the top outfielders throughout his MLB career. Born
on November 1, 1979, Crisp is a centre-fielder in Athletics’ roster and stands 5ft 10in with weight of 185 lbs.
The 31-year-old Crisp has nine years of experience in his professional career. In Minor Leagues, Crisp showed his dynamic performance as he hit one homer, 24 RBIs and 69 hits with a satisfying batting average. Due to his amazing efforts in college baseball,
he was geared up to make his place in first round of MLB Draft. He joined St. Louis Cardinals in 1999 to play his first round.
After playing his debut game in first round, Crisp moved to Cleveland Indians in place of pitcher Chuck Finley. At last in 2002, Crisp was able to play his first MLB game with the Indians, as a replacement for Matt Lawton, who went into disabled list. He
performed extremely well in his first round and became one of the most eminent players in MLB. Crisp served four years of his career with the Indians and ended it with 31 home-runs and 35 stolen bases.
Crisp was then traded to Boston Red Sox on January 2006 as a substitute for Johnny Damon, who joined New York Yankees. Crisp inked a three-year contract with Red Sox worth $15.5 million. There were also some painful moments transpired in his career when
he broke his index finger and was absent from the next 42 games of season.
The weather of injuries happened with a continuous interval for Crisp as he experienced some minor surgeries as well. He played a vital role in his return game and gave the Red Sox a convincing victory as he hit 36 RBIs, 8 home-runs and batted with an average
of .264 in 105 games.
Crisp was little bit shaky at the start of 2007 but then he recovered his previous performance through bull-pen sessions. Only that day was disappointing one for him as he hit two home runs against Atlanta Braves but Red Sox lost the game 9-4. However, he
had managed to raise his hitting average to .277. Crisp showed his class act in his fielding as well. He gave the Red Sox a second World Series title by making a stunning catch.
He played regularly with the Red Sox as their veteran players suffered some injuries at that time. June 28, 2008 was an appalling day in his professional career as Crisp was suspended out for seven games due to his violating action in a game.
Crisp signed a one-year agreement with Kansas City Royals on November 19, 2008 and joined the Royals as a substitute for their relief pitcher Ramon Ramirez. Crisp was unable to prove his spot in the Royals’ roster as his batting average fell a way down to
.228. Later on, in mid-2009, Crisp suffered a labrum tear in his right shoulder.
Unfortunately, he was not selected in the 2009 NL-All Star Team due to his injuries. At the end of 2009, Crisp was traded to Athletics and inked a one-year contract worth $5-million. During 2010, Crisp suffered a fractured left finger and remained on disabled
list for 15 days.
But the Athletics’ officials had given him a one-year option for 2011 season as well and it will be a great challenge for Crisp to prove his spot in the Athletics’ roster. He should display himself to be a strong player to make the Athletics a World Series
competitor.
Tags: