Brandon Laird
Encyclopedia
Brandon J. Laird is a third baseman
for the New York Yankees
.
in Westminster, California
. He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians
in the 27th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
, but did not sign, opting to attend Cypress College
. Laird was drafted by the Yankees in the 27th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
, and signed with the Yankees.
On August 2, 2010, Laird was promoted from Double A Trenton Thunder
to Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Following the 2010 season, he was added to the Yankees' 40 man roster in order to protect him from the Rule V Draft.
Laird was named both the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year of the Eastern League in 2010, following a breakout season.
Laird was promoted to the majors for the first time on July 18, 2011 when Ramiro Peña
was placed on the disabled list
.
On Friday July 22, 2011 at Yankee Stadium
, Laird made his Major League debut, and got his first Major League hit and RBI against Oakland Athletics
pitcher Craig Breslow
on a single to center field. He scored his first run earlier in the game, scoring on a single by Nick Swisher
after working a walk off of A's pitcher Joey Devine
.
is a catcher
for the Detroit Tigers
. In December 2009 Laird and his brother were arrested following a brawl at US Airways Center
during a Phoenix Suns
-Boston Celtics
game.
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
for 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...
.
Career
Laird attended La Quinta High SchoolLa Quinta High School (Westminster, California)
La Quinta High School a public high school located in Westminster, Orange County, California, is one of seven high-schools of the Garden Grove Unified School District—recipient of the 2004 Broad Prize for Excellence in Urban Education...
in Westminster, California
Westminster, California
-Government:In the state legislature Westminster is located in the 34th, Senate District, represented by Democrat Lou Correa and Republican Tom Harman respectively, and in the 67th and 68th Assembly District, represented by Republicans Jim Silva and Van Tran respectively...
. He was drafted by 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...
in the 27th round of the 2005 Major League Baseball Draft
2005 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2005 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 7 and 8. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams...
, but did not sign, opting to attend Cypress College
Cypress College
Cypress College is a community college located in Cypress, California. Opened on September 12, 1966 , the southern California college offers a variety of general education , transfer courses , and 141 vocational programs leading to Associate's degrees and certificates.-Overview:Cypress College's...
. Laird was drafted by the Yankees in the 27th round of the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft
2007 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2007 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft was Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, and was held on June 7 and June 8, 2007...
, and signed with the Yankees.
On August 2, 2010, Laird was promoted from Double A Trenton Thunder
Trenton Thunder
The Trenton Thunder are an American Minor League Baseball team and are the Double-A affiliate of the New York Yankees. The Thunder play in the Eastern Division of the Eastern League, and are the two-time defending league champions...
to Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. Following the 2010 season, he was added to the Yankees' 40 man roster in order to protect him from the Rule V Draft.
Laird was named both the Most Valuable Player and Rookie of the Year of the Eastern League in 2010, following a breakout season.
Laird was promoted to the majors for the first time on July 18, 2011 when Ramiro Peña
Ramiro Peña
Ramiro Peña Gauna is a Major League Baseball utility infielder for the New York Yankees.-Baseball career:Peña was signed by the Yankees out of the Mexican League in 2005....
was placed on the disabled list
Disabled list
In Major League Baseball, the disabled list is a method for teams to remove their injured players from the roster in order to summon healthy players.-General guidelines:...
.
On Friday July 22, 2011 at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium was a stadium located in The Bronx in New York City, New York. It was the home ballpark of the New York Yankees from 1923 to 1973 and from 1976 to 2008. The stadium hosted 6,581 Yankees regular season home games during its 85-year history. It was also the former home of the New York...
, Laird made his Major League debut, and got his first Major League hit and RBI against Oakland Athletics
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
pitcher Craig Breslow
Craig Breslow
Craig Andrew Breslow is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics. He throws left-handed, and is considered a lefty specialist....
on a single to center field. He scored his first run earlier in the game, scoring on a single by Nick Swisher
Nick Swisher
Nicholas Thompson "Nick" Swisher is an outfielder for the New York Yankees. Swisher is a switch hitter who throws left-handed....
after working a walk off of A's pitcher Joey Devine
Joey Devine
Joseph Neal "Joey" Devine is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Oakland Athletics.-Atlanta Braves:...
.
Personal
Brandon's brother, GeraldGerald Laird
Gerald Lee Laird III is an American professional baseball catcher for the Detroit Tigers. He graduated La Quinta High School in 1998, and played college baseball at Cypress College...
is a catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
for the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. In December 2009 Laird and his brother were arrested following a brawl at US Airways Center
US Airways Center
US Airways Center is a sports and entertainment arena located in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It opened in 1992, and is the home of the Phoenix Suns of the National Basketball Association, the Phoenix Mercury of the Women's National Basketball Association, and the Arizona Rattlers of the Arena...
during a Phoenix Suns
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns are a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They are members of the Pacific Division of the Western Conference in the National Basketball Association and the only team in their division not to be based in California. Their home arena since 1992 has been the US...
-Boston Celtics
Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics are a National Basketball Association team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They play in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference. Founded in 1946, the team is currently owned by Boston Basketball Partners LLC. The Celtics play their home games at the TD Garden, which...
game.