Ben Broussard
Encyclopedia
Benjamin Isaac Broussard (born September 24, 1976 in Beaumont, Texas
) is an American
former Major League Baseball
first baseman
. He is currently a musician
. Broussard was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds
in the second round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft
. During a 7-year baseball career, he played from 2002-2008 for the Cleveland Indians
, Seattle Mariners
, and the Texas Rangers
.
Broussard has released two full-length music albums. The first, his self titled album, was released in 2005. The second, Renovated, was released in 2009. He was also featured on the album, Oh Say Can You Sing?, a compilation of different Major League Baseball players singing their favorite songs. On that album Broussard sang U2's
With or Without You
. He is now a full-time musician.
in the second round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft
. He was a Pioneer League All-Star in his first professional season, winning the league batting crown with a .407 average. He was named Pioneer League Player of the Week for July 12 July 18 and in his first professional season he made the jump from Rookie-league to Double-A. With the Billings Mustangs
, Clinton Lumber Kings and Chattanooga Lookouts
Broussard combined to hit .332 with 24 home run
s and 75 RBIs
. He was among ranked second in hitting and tied for third in home runs in the Reds Minor Leagues. He began his professional career by reaching base safely in each of his first 44 games, three short of the all time record held by Alvin Davis
. When Broussard was promoted to Clinton he was leading the Pioneer League in home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits
and extra-base hits and was second in batting and RBIs. He was named to the Baseball America
Short-Season All-Star Team. Broussard appeared in only five games at Clinton before he was promoted to Chattanooga on July 31. For the Lookouts Broussard recorded eight home runs and 21 RBIs in just 35 games. Following the season Broussard almost won the California Fall League's Triple Crown
by hitting .387 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs for San Bernardino finishing second in hitting. Combined on the year he appeared in 53 games in the outfield
and 24 at first base.
In 2000 Broussard was selected to the Southern League
All-Star team but was sidelined with a broken right wrist. He ranked tied for fourth in the Southern League with 72 walks. On May 9 Broussard suffered a broken right wrist while sliding for a ball. Prior to the injury ranked second in the Southern League in hitting, batting a .353 clip. He returned to the Lookouts on June 29 and the rest of the season hit only .214. In the 2-1 victory on June 29 Broussard scored the winning run by stealing home. He appeared in 70 games in the outfield and 15 at first base. He appeared in 17 games for Grand Canyon in the Arizona Fall League
.
Broussard split the 2001 season between the Class-A Mudville Nine and Double-A Chattanooga, combining to hit .303 with 28 home runs and 90 RBIs. At Chattanooga he hit .320 to win the Southern League batting championship. Broussard also led the SL in slugging percentage, ranked second in on-base percentage and ranked fifth in home runs and was a Topps
Double-A All-Star. Among all Reds minor leaguers he ranked tied for second in home runs, fourth in RBIs and fifth in hitting. He was named Southern League Batter of the Week three times and on the year appeared in 123 games at first base and three in the outfield. He was a member of Team USA
that won a silver medal in the 2001 Baseball World Cup
in Taiwan
along with Josh Bard
and Jason Stanford
. Broussard also played for Pollos in the Dominican Winter League. On November 6 he was added to the Reds' 40-man roster.
He began the 2002 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats
, hitting .295 in April with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 24 games. He was named the Cincinnati organization's best hitter for average and sixth-best prospect by Baseball America entering the 2002 season. On June 7, 2002 the Reds traded Broussard to the Cleveland Indians
for Russell Branyan
.
and the big leagues with Cleveland. After being acquired he was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
where he appeared in 14 games before being recalled to Cleveland on June 22 when Todd Dunwoody
was placed on the disabled list. He made his major league debut that night in a pinch-hitting appearance against the Montreal Expos
and made his first start in left field on June 23 at Montreal, notching his first hit in the second inning off Tony Armas, Jr.
Broussard hit his first home run on June 26 at Boston off Pedro Martinez
. Broussard said this about his first home run:
He appeared in 31 games with Cleveland from before being optioned back to Buffalo on August 8. He was recalled for second time after the conclusion of the Triple-A playoffs and appeared in 8 games in September, going 5 for 18 with a home run and two RBIa. On the year with Cleveland he made 29 starts in left field and 3 starts at first base.
Broussard spent most of the 2003 season in the major leagues with Cleveland and teamed with Travis Hafner
in the second half to solidify the first base position. He began the season on the 15-day disabled list after straining his right oblique muscle on March 14. After a short rehab assignment in Triple-A, Broussard was activated from the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A. He was recalled from on April 13 and made his '03 debut against Seattle. He hit his first home run of the season off of Freddy Garcia
. Broussard finished eighth among American League
rookies in runs scored
with 53, tenth in on base percentage with .312, 6th in slugging percentage with .443 and tied for seventh in home runs with 16 along with New York's
Hideki Matsui
.
In 2004 Broussard had a solid offensive season after getting off to a slow start to begin the campaign. He finished fourth on the team with a career-high 80 RBIs in just 415 at bats. He led all American League hitters in RBIs among those with 425 at bats or less, only Barry Bonds
and Jason Bay
had more in the Major Leagues. Broussard also became just the fourth player in major league baseball history and the first since Darryl Strawberry
in 1998 to hit two pinch-hit grand slams in the same season. On the year he hit three grand slams which equaled the AL lead with Hank Blalock
& Ruben Sierra
. On the year he hit .636 with the bases loaded with three home runs and 23 RBIs. He appeared in 133 games at first base, making 107 starts. He finished eighth among AL first basemen in fielding percentage
at .994.
Broussard patrolled first base for most of the 2005 season as he was again Eric Wedge
's first baseman against right-handed pitchers. He had an inconsistent offensive season, but came on over the last six weeks of the season to post a career-high 19 homers in 142 games. On the year he made 112 starts at first base and two starts at the designated hitter
spot. At first base he compiled a fielding percentage of .992 in 138 games at first base, the seventh best mark among league first basemen.
on July 26, 2006, for outfielder
Shin-Soo Choo
and a player to be named later (who turned out to be minor leaguer Shawn Nottingham). Broussard hit his career-best 20th home run of the season on September 10. He had four hits for the third time of the season in that game. The other two times came when he was with the Indians. Broussard hit a home run in his first game with the Mariners.
On April 21, 2007, he hit the first pinch hit
grand slam
in Seattle Mariners history in a 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Angels
. On May 5, 2007, he hit a home run
in the 8th inning against Chien-Ming Wang
, to break up a perfect game
with only five outs to go.
for infielder
Tug Hulett. Broussard agreed to a one-year contract worth $3.85 million avoiding arbitration.
On May 8, 2008, Broussard was designated for assignment by the Rangers, and on May 15, he was released.
, but was released on June 10. He signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs
on June 12. He returned to the Yankees on July 4 and became a free agent after the season.
On February 10, 2009 he signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox
but was released soon after. He later retired.
of the Philadelphia Phillies
, Mike Ivie
of the San Francisco Giants
, Darryl Strawberry
of the New York Yankees
, and Brooks Conrad
of the Atlanta Braves
.
, Sean Casey and Ozzie Smith
.
series Dog The Bounty Hunter
.
His songs 105 and Hold On To Me were featured in episodes of The N network's South of Nowhere
. Deep, another of his songs, was used in a commercial
advertising the show.
during the offseason, although he graduated from Hardin-Jefferson High School in Sour Lake, Texas
in 1995. He and his wife Brenda have been married for seven years and have two daughters, Mia and Layne. Broussard's sister, Meagan Broussard, was involved in the Anthony Weiner sexting scandal
.
Beaumont, Texas
Beaumont is a city in and county seat of Jefferson County, Texas, United States, within the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical Area. The city's population was 118,296 at the 2010 census. With Port Arthur and Orange, it forms the Golden Triangle, a major industrial area on the...
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
former Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
first baseman
First baseman
First base, or 1B, is the first of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a baserunner in order to score a run for that player's team...
. He is currently a musician
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
. Broussard was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in the second round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft
1999 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1999...
. During a 7-year baseball career, he played from 2002-2008 for the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
, Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
, and the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
.
Broussard has released two full-length music albums. The first, his self titled album, was released in 2005. The second, Renovated, was released in 2009. He was also featured on the album, Oh Say Can You Sing?, a compilation of different Major League Baseball players singing their favorite songs. On that album Broussard sang U2's
U2
U2 are an Irish rock band from Dublin. Formed in 1976, the group consists of Bono , The Edge , Adam Clayton , and Larry Mullen, Jr. . U2's early sound was rooted in post-punk but eventually grew to incorporate influences from many genres of popular music...
With or Without You
With or Without You
"With or Without You" is a song by Irish rock band U2. It is the third track from their 1987 album, The Joshua Tree, and was released as the album's first single on 21 March 1987...
. He is now a full-time musician.
Cincinnati Reds
Broussard was drafted by the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
in the second round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft
1999 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1999 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 2 and 3, 1999...
. He was a Pioneer League All-Star in his first professional season, winning the league batting crown with a .407 average. He was named Pioneer League Player of the Week for July 12 July 18 and in his first professional season he made the jump from Rookie-league to Double-A. With the Billings Mustangs
Billings Mustangs
The Billings Mustangs are a minor league baseball team based in Billings, Montana. The Mustangs are the Pioneer League Rookie affiliate of the Major League Cincinnati Reds. The team has been a part of the Pioneer League since 1948 with a five-year gap between 1964 and 1968, and has been affiliated...
, Clinton Lumber Kings and Chattanooga Lookouts
Chattanooga Lookouts
The Chattanooga Lookouts are a minor league baseball team based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, USA. They are named for nearby Lookout Mountain. The team, which plays in the Southern League, has been a Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club since the 2009 season. The Lookouts...
Broussard combined to hit .332 with 24 home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
s and 75 RBIs
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. He was among ranked second in hitting and tied for third in home runs in the Reds Minor Leagues. He began his professional career by reaching base safely in each of his first 44 games, three short of the all time record held by Alvin Davis
Alvin Davis
Alvin Glenn Davis , nicknamed "Mr. Mariner", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and designated hitter. Davis played his career primarily for the Seattle Mariners...
. When Broussard was promoted to Clinton he was leading the Pioneer League in home runs, on-base percentage, slugging percentage, hits
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
and extra-base hits and was second in batting and RBIs. He was named to the Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
Short-Season All-Star Team. Broussard appeared in only five games at Clinton before he was promoted to Chattanooga on July 31. For the Lookouts Broussard recorded eight home runs and 21 RBIs in just 35 games. Following the season Broussard almost won the California Fall League's Triple Crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
by hitting .387 with nine home runs and 34 RBIs for San Bernardino finishing second in hitting. Combined on the year he appeared in 53 games in the outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
and 24 at first base.
In 2000 Broussard was selected to the Southern League
Southern League (baseball)
The Southern League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the Southern United States. It is classified a Double-A league. The original league was formed in , and shut down in . A new league, the Southern Association, was formed in , consisting of twelve teams...
All-Star team but was sidelined with a broken right wrist. He ranked tied for fourth in the Southern League with 72 walks. On May 9 Broussard suffered a broken right wrist while sliding for a ball. Prior to the injury ranked second in the Southern League in hitting, batting a .353 clip. He returned to the Lookouts on June 29 and the rest of the season hit only .214. In the 2-1 victory on June 29 Broussard scored the winning run by stealing home. He appeared in 70 games in the outfield and 15 at first base. He appeared in 17 games for Grand Canyon in the Arizona Fall League
Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League is an off-season league owned and operated by Major League Baseball which operates during the fall in Arizona, United States at five spring training complexes...
.
Broussard split the 2001 season between the Class-A Mudville Nine and Double-A Chattanooga, combining to hit .303 with 28 home runs and 90 RBIs. At Chattanooga he hit .320 to win the Southern League batting championship. Broussard also led the SL in slugging percentage, ranked second in on-base percentage and ranked fifth in home runs and was a Topps
Topps
The Topps Company, Inc., manufactures chewing gum, candy and collectibles. Based in New York, New York, Topps is best known as a leading producer of baseball cards, football cards, basketball cards, hockey cards and other sports and non-sports themed trading cards.-Company history:Topps itself was...
Double-A All-Star. Among all Reds minor leaguers he ranked tied for second in home runs, fourth in RBIs and fifth in hitting. He was named Southern League Batter of the Week three times and on the year appeared in 123 games at first base and three in the outfield. He was a member of Team USA
Team USA
Team USA is a wrestling faction brought together as part of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling's X-Cup Tournaments, which involved a team of X Division superstars from various countries representing their nation in an international wrestling competition.-America's X-Cup:Team USA was created and led...
that won a silver medal in the 2001 Baseball World Cup
2001 Baseball World Cup
The XXXIV Baseball World Cup took place in Taiwan from 6 to 18 November 2001. Participating countries were split in two groups, with the first four of each group qualifying for the finals.-First round:Results for Group A:# # # # # # # #...
in Taiwan
Taiwan
Taiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
along with Josh Bard
Josh Bard
Joshua David Bard is an American professional baseball catcher and designated hitter who is a free agent. Bard is a switch-hitter who throws right-handed....
and Jason Stanford
Jason Stanford
Jason John Stanford is a former left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher. He is a 1995 graduate of Canyon del Oro High School in Oro Valley, Arizona, a suburb of Tucson. Stanford attended Barton County Community College in Great Bend, Kansas in 1996 and 1997, where he was an Academic...
. Broussard also played for Pollos in the Dominican Winter League. On November 6 he was added to the Reds' 40-man roster.
He began the 2002 season with the Triple-A Louisville Bats
Louisville Bats
The Louisville Bats, which play in Louisville, Kentucky, are the AAA minor league baseball affiliate of the Cincinnati Reds. The team, formerly known as the Louisville RiverBats, plays in the International League...
, hitting .295 in April with four home runs and 18 RBIs in 24 games. He was named the Cincinnati organization's best hitter for average and sixth-best prospect by Baseball America entering the 2002 season. On June 7, 2002 the Reds traded Broussard to the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
for Russell Branyan
Russell Branyan
Russell Oles Branyan is a Major League Baseball first baseman. He throws right-handed, bats left-handed, and primarily plays first base, but is capable of playing third base and the outfield. Branyan began his professional career in the Cleveland Indians minor league system...
.
Cleveland Indians
He split the remainder of the 2002 season between the Triple-A Buffalo BisonsBuffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
and the big leagues with Cleveland. After being acquired he was assigned to the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons are a minor league baseball team based in Buffalo, New York. They currently play in the International League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the New York Mets...
where he appeared in 14 games before being recalled to Cleveland on June 22 when Todd Dunwoody
Todd Dunwoody
Todd Franklin Dunwoody is a former Major League Baseball player, currently serving as hitting coach for the South Bend Silver Hawks in the Arizona Diamondbacks organization....
was placed on the disabled list. He made his major league debut that night in a pinch-hitting appearance against the Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
and made his first start in left field on June 23 at Montreal, notching his first hit in the second inning off Tony Armas, Jr.
Tony Armas, Jr.
Antonio José Armas , better known as Tony Armas, Jr., is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent. He last appeared in a Major League game in 2008...
Broussard hit his first home run on June 26 at Boston off Pedro Martinez
Pedro Martínez
Pedro Jaime Martínez is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He is an eight-time All-Star, three-time Cy Young Award winner, and 2004 World Series champion...
. Broussard said this about his first home run:
He appeared in 31 games with Cleveland from before being optioned back to Buffalo on August 8. He was recalled for second time after the conclusion of the Triple-A playoffs and appeared in 8 games in September, going 5 for 18 with a home run and two RBIa. On the year with Cleveland he made 29 starts in left field and 3 starts at first base.
Broussard spent most of the 2003 season in the major leagues with Cleveland and teamed with Travis Hafner
Travis Hafner
Travis Lee Hafner is a left-handed hitting designated hitter for the Cleveland Indians of the American League Central Division. His nickname, "Pronk", was given to him by former teammate Bill Selby during spring training of when people sometimes referred to him as "The Project" and other times...
in the second half to solidify the first base position. He began the season on the 15-day disabled list after straining his right oblique muscle on March 14. After a short rehab assignment in Triple-A, Broussard was activated from the disabled list and optioned to Triple-A. He was recalled from on April 13 and made his '03 debut against Seattle. He hit his first home run of the season off of Freddy Garcia
Freddy García
Freddy Antonio García , nicknamed "The Chief", is a Venezuelan Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent...
. Broussard finished eighth among American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
rookies in runs scored
Run (baseball)
In baseball, a run is scored when a player advances around first, second and third base and returns safely to home plate, touching the bases in that order, before three outs are recorded and all obligations to reach base safely on batted balls are met or assured...
with 53, tenth in on base percentage with .312, 6th in slugging percentage with .443 and tied for seventh in home runs with 16 along with New York's
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
Hideki Matsui
Hideki Matsui
is a Japanese Major League Baseball designated hitter and outfielder. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.After playing the first ten seasons of his career for the Yomiuri Giants of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball, he played the next seven seasons, from 2003–2009, for the New York...
.
In 2004 Broussard had a solid offensive season after getting off to a slow start to begin the campaign. He finished fourth on the team with a career-high 80 RBIs in just 415 at bats. He led all American League hitters in RBIs among those with 425 at bats or less, only Barry Bonds
Barry Bonds
Barry Lamar Bonds is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. Bonds played from 1986 to 2007, for the Pittsburgh Pirates and San Francisco Giants. He is the son of former major league All-Star Bobby Bonds...
and Jason Bay
Jason Bay
Jason Raymond Bay is a Canadian professional baseball player. An outfielder, he currently plays for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
had more in the Major Leagues. Broussard also became just the fourth player in major league baseball history and the first since Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Eugene Strawberry is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder who is well-known both for his play on the field and for his controversial behavior off it...
in 1998 to hit two pinch-hit grand slams in the same season. On the year he hit three grand slams which equaled the AL lead with Hank Blalock
Hank Blalock
Hank Joe Blalock is a Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently a free agent.-High school:Blalock attended Rancho Bernardo High School in San Diego, California...
& Ruben Sierra
Rubén Sierra
Rubén Angel Sierra García is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Sierra also goes by the nicknames El Caballo and El Indio....
. On the year he hit .636 with the bases loaded with three home runs and 23 RBIs. He appeared in 133 games at first base, making 107 starts. He finished eighth among AL first basemen in fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
at .994.
Broussard patrolled first base for most of the 2005 season as he was again Eric Wedge
Eric Wedge
Eric Michael Wedge is a Major League Baseball manager and former catcher, and is the current manager of the Seattle Mariners. As a player, Wedge attended Northrop High School in Fort Wayne and played on the school's state champion baseball team in 1983...
's first baseman against right-handed pitchers. He had an inconsistent offensive season, but came on over the last six weeks of the season to post a career-high 19 homers in 142 games. On the year he made 112 starts at first base and two starts at the designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
spot. At first base he compiled a fielding percentage of .992 in 138 games at first base, the seventh best mark among league first basemen.
Seattle Mariners
Broussard went on to have a successful stint with the Indians, and was traded to the Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
on July 26, 2006, for outfielder
Outfielder
Outfielder is a generic term applied to each of the people playing in the three defensive positions in baseball farthest from the batter. These defenders are the left fielder, the center fielder, and the right fielder...
Shin-Soo Choo
Shin-Soo Choo
Shin-Soo Choo is a South Korean professional baseball outfielder with the Cleveland Indians of Major League Baseball in the United States.Choo was selected as the Most Valuable Player and Best Pitcher of the 2000 World Junior Baseball Championship as South Korea won the event...
and a player to be named later (who turned out to be minor leaguer Shawn Nottingham). Broussard hit his career-best 20th home run of the season on September 10. He had four hits for the third time of the season in that game. The other two times came when he was with the Indians. Broussard hit a home run in his first game with the Mariners.
On April 21, 2007, he hit the first pinch hit
Pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the ball is dead ; the manager may use any player that has not yet entered the game as a substitute...
grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
in Seattle Mariners history in a 7-6 loss to the Los Angeles Angels
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. On May 5, 2007, he hit a home run
Home run
In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in the 8th inning against Chien-Ming Wang
Chien-Ming Wang
Chien-Ming Wang is a Taiwanese Major League Baseball pitcher. He was initially signed as an amateur free agent by the New York Yankees for the 2000 season, and played for the Staten Island Yankees...
, to break up a perfect game
Perfect game
A perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
with only five outs to go.
Texas Rangers
On December 12, 2007, Broussard was traded to the Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
for infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
Tug Hulett. Broussard agreed to a one-year contract worth $3.85 million avoiding arbitration.
On May 8, 2008, Broussard was designated for assignment by the Rangers, and on May 15, he was released.
Yankees, Cubs & White Sox
On May 27, Broussard signed a minor league contract with the New York YankeesNew York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, but was released on June 10. He signed a minor league deal with the Chicago Cubs
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
on June 12. He returned to the Yankees on July 4 and became a free agent after the season.
On February 10, 2009 he signed a minor league deal with the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
but was released soon after. He later retired.
Legacy
Broussard is one of only five Major League Baseball players to hit two pinch-hit grand slams in the same season. The others are Davey JohnsonDavey Johnson
David Allen "Davey" Johnson is an American Major League Baseball player and current manager of the Washington Nationals. He was the starting second baseman for the Baltimore Orioles when they won four American League pennants and two World Series championships between 1965 and 1972...
of the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, Mike Ivie
Mike Ivie
Michael Wilson Ivie , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the San Diego Padres, San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros, and Detroit Tigers during his career from 1971 to 1983...
of the San Francisco Giants
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Eugene Strawberry is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder who is well-known both for his play on the field and for his controversial behavior off it...
of the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, and Brooks Conrad
Brooks Conrad
Brooks Litchfield Conrad , nicknamed "Raw Dog", is a Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and pinch hitter for the Atlanta Braves.-Career:...
of the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
.
Music career
Broussard started playing guitar at the age of 15 and played in a grunge cover band while attending college.Oh Say Can You Sing?
Broussard got his professional music career start after appearing on the album, Oh Say Can You Sing?, a compilation of Major League Baseball players singing their favorite songs. Other big league players on the album included Jimmy RollinsJimmy Rollins
James Calvin "Jimmy" Rollins , nicknamed "J-Roll", is an All-Star and former MVP shortstop, who most recently played for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball's National League....
, Sean Casey and Ozzie Smith
Ozzie Smith
Osborne Earl "Ozzie" Smith is an American former baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals from 1978 to 1996...
.
Ben Broussard
He released a self-titled debut album in 2005. One of his songs was featured in a 2005 episode of A&E'sA&E Network
The A&E Network is a United States-based cable and satellite television network with headquarters in New York City and offices in Atlanta, Chicago, Detroit, London, Los Angeles and Stamford. A&E also airs in Canada and Latin America. Initially named the Arts & Entertainment Network, A&E launched...
series Dog The Bounty Hunter
Dog the Bounty Hunter
Dog the Bounty Hunter is a reality television show on A&E which chronicles Duane "Dog" Chapman's adventures as a fugitive recovery agent, or bounty hunter...
.
His songs 105 and Hold On To Me were featured in episodes of The N network's South of Nowhere
South of Nowhere
South of Nowhere is an American teen drama television series created by Thomas W. Lynch. Aimed primarily at teenagers, it first aired on November 4, 2005 and was one of six original series on The N. The second half of the third and final season aired October 10, 2008 and the final episode aired on...
. Deep, another of his songs, was used in a commercial
Television advertisement
A television advertisement or television commercial, often just commercial, advert, ad, or ad-film – is a span of television programming produced and paid for by an organization that conveys a message, typically one intended to market a product...
advertising the show.
Renovated
Broussard released his second full-length album, Renovated in 2009. Broussard said this about changing his career path to a professional musician:Discography
- Oh Say Can You Sing? (2005)
- Ben BroussardBen Broussard (album)Ben Broussard is the first studio album by the American rock artist Ben Broussard.Hold On To Me was featured in a 2005 episode of A&E's series Dog The Bounty Hunter....
(2005) - Renovated (2009)
Personal life
Broussard resides in Austin, TexasAustin, Texas
Austin is the capital city of the U.S. state of :Texas and the seat of Travis County. Located in Central Texas on the eastern edge of the American Southwest, it is the fourth-largest city in Texas and the 14th most populous city in the United States. It was the third-fastest-growing large city in...
during the offseason, although he graduated from Hardin-Jefferson High School in Sour Lake, Texas
Sour Lake, Texas
Sour Lake is a city in Hardin County, Texas, United States. The population was 1,813 at the 2010 census. It was originally named Sour Lake Springs, after the mineral-laden spring water that flowed into the nearby lake. The city is part of the Beaumont–Port Arthur Metropolitan Statistical...
in 1995. He and his wife Brenda have been married for seven years and have two daughters, Mia and Layne. Broussard's sister, Meagan Broussard, was involved in the Anthony Weiner sexting scandal
Anthony Weiner sexting scandal
The Anthony Weiner sexting scandal, also dubbed Weinergate, began when Democratic U.S. Congressman Anthony Weiner used the social media website Twitter to send a link to a sexually suggestive picture to a 21-year-old Washington State woman...
.
External links
- BenBroussard.com - Broussard's personal Web site.