Bubba Crosby
Encyclopedia
Richard Stephen "Bubba" Crosby (born August 11, 1976) is a former Major League Baseball
outfielder
who played with the Los Angeles Dodgers
and the New York Yankees
. He is best known for his tenure as a backup outfielder for the Yankees, when his defense and running games were often put to use and he played a prominent starting role near the end of the 2005 season.
powerhouse Bellaire High School (Bellaire, Texas)
1991-95, where he won a Texas 5-A sports state high school championship.
At Rice University
from 1996–98, he earned All-American honors in 1997 and 1998. In 1998, he hit 25 home run
s and drove in 91 runs
in only 221 at bat
s, and batted .394 with a .504 on-base percentage and a .828 slugging percentage. He also had a 30-game hitting streak
. He is the all-time Rice leader with 20 career triples
, and 2nd with 59 home runs, 243 RBIs
, 499 total bases
, and a .737 slugging percentage, trailing only Lance Berkman
in each category.
of the National League
in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
for amateur entries.
His best seasons in the minors in the Dodgers system were 1999 (.296 with 19 stolen base
s in A+ ball), 2000 (27 stolen bases in A+ ball), 2001 (.302 with 22 stolen bases in Double-A), and 2003 (.361 in Triple-A).
Crosby was finally called up by the Dodgers in 2003, while he was batting .361 with a .410 on-base percentage and .635 slugging percentage (1.045 OPS) in AAA. Nevertheless, he still struggled to find significant time in the majors as the Dodgers favored Rickey Henderson
in a reserve role over him. Following a dozen at bat
s in Los Angeles, he was traded to the New York Yankees
on July 31, 2003, along with Scott Proctor
for Robin Ventura
.
in the major leagues—and CF) for the Yankees.
, he hit two home runs with five RBI in first five at bats and made a diving catch. Notably, the first home run came in his first at bat as a Yankee and the second secured Mike Mussina
's 200th career win. Nevertheless, upon the return of outfielder Kenny Lofton
from the disabled list, Crosby was sent down to minors from where he would be called up several times. He ultimately received only 53 at bats on the season, hitting .151 overall. He made both the ALDS
and ALCS
rosters as a reserve outfielder and pinch runner.
. Due to the number of times that Crosby had been called up in his career, manager Joe Torre
jokingly suggested that a call-up from then on be referred to as a "Bubba".
Crosby's season made a dramatic turn for the better in the final month of the season, however. After having worked with Don Mattingly
to shorten his swing, Crosby finished his 2005 season with the strongest performance of his career, hitting .321 in 23 September games while consistently starting and .345 (20 for 58) over his final 31 games of the season. On September 19, 2005, in his first start of the year against a left-handed pitcher, he hit his career first walk-off home run
, against Eric DuBose
of the Baltimore Orioles
, leading off the bottom of the 9th inning by sending a breaking ball
over the right-center field fence.
On October 10, 2005, Crosby, after having started several postseason games, was involved in a collision in Game 5 of the 2005 ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
. With the Yankees up 2-1, the Angels had runners on first and second with two outs when Adam Kennedy
hit a pitch off Mike Mussina
deep to right-center. Crosby and right-fielder Gary Sheffield
collided while trying to catch the ball, allowing two runs to score to give the Angels a 3-2 lead. The Angels would go on to win the game 5-3 and continue to the ALCS. Crosby finished the season having hit .276 over 76 games.
initially stated that Crosby would be the Yankees starting center fielder in 2006. Nevertheless, upon the large signing of Johnny Damon
in December, he was again put in a reserve role and ceded his number 18 to Damon. Though again made the team's opening roster, he lost almost a month on the 15 Day Disabled list from mid-May to June. After having appeared in 65 games, on August 4, 2006, Crosby was designated for assignment
by the Yankees. He cleared waivers on August 9, however, and reported back to the Clippers, remaining in the Yankee organization. He became a 6-year Minor League free agent after the season.
signed Crosby for the 2007 season. Crosby agreed to a one-year contract that paid $400,000 while he was in the majors, and $75,000 in the minors http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseball/MLB/2006/11/10/2302945-ap.html. By signing him to a Major League deal, Cincinnati protected Crosby on its 40-man roster. But he was not assured a 25-man roster spot for Opening Day
2007, and went to spring training competing for a job as a reserve outfielder. "We're getting a guy that's been on winning teams, that plays the game the right way, that always plays it hard and can play all three outfield positions," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "We're happy to have him."
Crosby hit .276 in 16 games in spring training with 1 homer and 7 RBI. The Reds sent Crosby outright to Triple-A Louisville
on March 24, 2007. Crosby accepted the demotion, and began the season in Triple-A. http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=6274928&nav=0RYd"We just felt he was behind a couple of other guys for that spot," Krivsky said. Louisville placed Crosby on the disabled list
after 13 games. The diagnosis was left shoulder tendinitis. Conservative treatment was unsuccessful, and on July 20, in Cincinnati, he had season-ending surgery on his shoulder. The Reds granted Crosby free agency in October 2007.
. On March 7, he was released for failing a physical. The reason for his failure was not disclosed. He has since retired from 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...
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...
who played with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
and 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...
. He is best known for his tenure as a backup outfielder for the Yankees, when his defense and running games were often put to use and he played a prominent starting role near the end of the 2005 season.
Name
He became Bubba when he was born and his 15-month-old sister, Charmin, could not say "brother". The name stuck. But as he said, "almost everyone in Texas is Bubba when you're growing up." He said when he got to be dating age, "I tried to change it in school, call myself Richard, but kids would call for me and ask for Richard, and my parents would burst out laughing and say, 'You mean Bubba?'"High school and college
Crosby was a star at baseballBaseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each. The aim is to score runs by hitting a thrown ball with a bat and touching a series of four bases arranged at the corners of a ninety-foot diamond...
powerhouse Bellaire High School (Bellaire, Texas)
Bellaire High School (Bellaire, Texas)
Bellaire High School is a secondary school of the Houston Independent School District, and its campus is located in Bellaire, Texas ....
1991-95, where he won a Texas 5-A sports state high school championship.
At Rice University
Rice University
William Marsh Rice University, commonly referred to as Rice University or Rice, is a private research university located on a heavily wooded campus in Houston, Texas, United States...
from 1996–98, he earned All-American honors in 1997 and 1998. In 1998, he hit 25 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 drove in 91 runs
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...
in only 221 at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s, and batted .394 with a .504 on-base percentage and a .828 slugging percentage. He also had a 30-game hitting streak
Hitting streak
In baseball, a hitting streak refers to the number of consecutive official games in which a player gets at least one base hit.According to the Official Baseball Rules, such a streak is ended when a player has at least 1 plate appearance and no hits...
. He is the all-time Rice leader with 20 career triples
Triple (baseball)
In baseball, a triple is the act of a batter safely reaching third base after hitting the ball, with neither the benefit of a fielder's misplay nor another runner being put out on a fielder's choice....
, and 2nd with 59 home runs, 243 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...
, 499 total bases
Total bases
In baseball statistics, total bases refers to the number of bases a player has gained with hits, i.e., the sum of his hits weighted by 1 for a single, 2 for a double, 3 for a triple and 4 for a home run.Only bases attained from hits count toward this total....
, and a .737 slugging percentage, trailing only Lance Berkman
Lance Berkman
William Lance Berkman is an American professional baseball outfielder and right fielder with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball....
in each category.
Los Angeles Dodgers (1998-2003)
Crosby was drafted by the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in the 1st round (23rd overall) of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft
1998 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1998 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, 1998...
for amateur entries.
His best seasons in the minors in the Dodgers system were 1999 (.296 with 19 stolen base
Stolen base
In baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
s in A+ ball), 2000 (27 stolen bases in A+ ball), 2001 (.302 with 22 stolen bases in Double-A), and 2003 (.361 in Triple-A).
Crosby was finally called up by the Dodgers in 2003, while he was batting .361 with a .410 on-base percentage and .635 slugging percentage (1.045 OPS) in AAA. Nevertheless, he still struggled to find significant time in the majors as the Dodgers favored Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henderson
Rickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
in a reserve role over him. Following a dozen at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s in Los Angeles, he was traded to 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...
on July 31, 2003, along with Scott Proctor
Scott Proctor
Scott Christopher Proctor is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent.-Minor leagues:Proctor was drafted in the 17th round of the 1995 Major League Baseball Draft by the New York Mets out of Martin County High School, but decided to attend Florida State University,...
for Robin Ventura
Robin Ventura
Robin Mark Ventura is the current manager of the Chicago White Sox. He is a former professional baseball player, a third baseman who played for four major league teams, most notably for the Chicago White Sox...
.
New York Yankees (2004-06)
Crosby played primarily as a starting outfielder (mostly in RF—where he has never made an errorError (baseball)
In baseball statistics, an error is the act, in the judgment of the official scorer, of a fielder misplaying a ball in a manner that allows a batter or baserunner to reach one or more additional bases, when such an advance would have been prevented given ordinary effort by the fielder.The term ...
in the major leagues—and CF) for the Yankees.
2004
In 2004, after having made the team due to a strong spring training performance in which he hit .385 with two home runs and eleven RBIs, Crosby gained a large amount of media and fan attention when, in his first series against the Chicago White SoxChicago 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...
, he hit two home runs with five RBI in first five at bats and made a diving catch. Notably, the first home run came in his first at bat as a Yankee and the second secured Mike Mussina
Mike Mussina
Michael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
's 200th career win. Nevertheless, upon the return of outfielder Kenny Lofton
Kenny Lofton
Kenneth Lofton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder known for his great speed on the base paths as well as in the field, award-winning defensive play , timely hitting, and playful spirit. He batted and threw left-handed...
from the disabled list, Crosby was sent down to minors from where he would be called up several times. He ultimately received only 53 at bats on the season, hitting .151 overall. He made both the ALDS
2004 American League Division Series
-Anaheim Angels vs. Boston Red Sox:-Game 1, October 5:Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkPitching dominated in Game 1 as Mike Mussina faced Johan Santana. The Twins got on the board first when Shannon Stewart singled home Michael Cuddyer. Then in the sixth, Jacque Jones hit a solo home run to make...
and ALCS
2004 American League Championship Series
The 2004 American League Championship Series was the Major League Baseball playoff series to decide the American League champion for the 2004 season. It was played between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees, at Fenway Park and the original Yankee Stadium, from October 12 to October 20, 2004...
rosters as a reserve outfielder and pinch runner.
2005
In 2005, Crosby performed well in spring training again and made the team for the second year in a row but again found difficulty staying in the majors at the beginning of the season. He was optioned down to the Indians on July 8, 2005, but returned to the Yankees on August 18. Crosby returned to the Yankees wearing jersey number 18 because his previous number, 19, had been assigned to the newly acquired Al LeiterAl Leiter
Alois Terry "Al" Leiter is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher. He is now a studio analyst for MLB Network, and a color commentator for the YES Network.-Early career :Leiter attended Central Regional High School....
. Due to the number of times that Crosby had been called up in his career, manager Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
jokingly suggested that a call-up from then on be referred to as a "Bubba".
Crosby's season made a dramatic turn for the better in the final month of the season, however. After having worked with Don Mattingly
Don Mattingly
Donald Arthur "Don" Mattingly is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Nicknamed "The Hit Man" and "Donnie Baseball", he played his entire 14-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
to shorten his swing, Crosby finished his 2005 season with the strongest performance of his career, hitting .321 in 23 September games while consistently starting and .345 (20 for 58) over his final 31 games of the season. On September 19, 2005, in his first start of the year against a left-handed pitcher, he hit his career first walk-off home run
Walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. It must be a home run that gives the home team the lead in the bottom of the final inning of the game—either the ninth inning, or any extra inning, or any other regularly scheduled final inning...
, against Eric DuBose
Eric DuBose
Eric Ladell DuBose is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws left-handed and attended Mississippi State University....
of the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, leading off the bottom of the 9th inning by sending a breaking ball
Breaking ball
In baseball, a breaking ball is a pitch that does not travel straight like a fastball as it approaches the batter. A pitcher who uses primarily breaking ball pitches is often referred to as a junkballer. A breaking ball will have some sideways or downward motion on it...
over the right-center field fence.
On October 10, 2005, Crosby, after having started several postseason games, was involved in a collision in Game 5 of the 2005 ALDS against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
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...
. With the Yankees up 2-1, the Angels had runners on first and second with two outs when Adam Kennedy
Adam Kennedy
Adam Thomas Kennedy is an American Major League Baseball second baseman who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He previously played for the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners and had two stints with the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early years:Kennedy...
hit a pitch off Mike Mussina
Mike Mussina
Michael Cole Mussina , nicknamed Moose, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He played for the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees ....
deep to right-center. Crosby and right-fielder Gary Sheffield
Gary Sheffield
Gary Antonian Sheffield , nicknamed "Sheff", is an American retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for eight major league ball clubs from 1988 to 2009, primarily as an outfielder.-Biography:...
collided while trying to catch the ball, allowing two runs to score to give the Angels a 3-2 lead. The Angels would go on to win the game 5-3 and continue to the ALCS. Crosby finished the season having hit .276 over 76 games.
2006
During the offseason, Yankees general manager Brian CashmanBrian Cashman
Brian McGuire Cashman is an American Major League Baseball executive for the New York Yankees.-Early life:Cashman was born in Rockville Centre, New York and raised in Washingtonville, New York. He was raised in an Irish Catholic family. He moved with his family to Lexington, Kentucky, where his...
initially stated that Crosby would be the Yankees starting center fielder in 2006. Nevertheless, upon the large signing of Johnny Damon
Johnny Damon
Johnny David Damon is an American professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter. From 2000–2008, he was third among active players in runs and seventh in hits and stolen bases . He is currently second among active leaders in triples , five behind Carl Crawford...
in December, he was again put in a reserve role and ceded his number 18 to Damon. Though again made the team's opening roster, he lost almost a month on the 15 Day Disabled list from mid-May to June. After having appeared in 65 games, on August 4, 2006, Crosby was designated for assignment
Designated for assignment
Designated for assignment is a contractual term used in Major League Baseball. When a player is designated for assignment, he is immediately removed from the club's 40-man roster. This gives the club 10 days to decide what to do with the player while freeing up a roster spot for another...
by the Yankees. He cleared waivers on August 9, however, and reported back to the Clippers, remaining in the Yankee organization. He became a 6-year Minor League free agent after the season.
Cincinnati Reds (2007)
On November 10, 2006, 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....
signed Crosby for the 2007 season. Crosby agreed to a one-year contract that paid $400,000 while he was in the majors, and $75,000 in the minors http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Baseball/MLB/2006/11/10/2302945-ap.html. By signing him to a Major League deal, Cincinnati protected Crosby on its 40-man roster. But he was not assured a 25-man roster spot for Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
2007, and went to spring training competing for a job as a reserve outfielder. "We're getting a guy that's been on winning teams, that plays the game the right way, that always plays it hard and can play all three outfield positions," Reds general manager Wayne Krivsky said. "We're happy to have him."
Crosby hit .276 in 16 games in spring training with 1 homer and 7 RBI. The Reds sent Crosby outright to Triple-A Louisville
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...
on March 24, 2007. Crosby accepted the demotion, and began the season in Triple-A. http://www.wane.com/Global/story.asp?S=6274928&nav=0RYd"We just felt he was behind a couple of other guys for that spot," Krivsky said. Louisville placed Crosby 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:...
after 13 games. The diagnosis was left shoulder tendinitis. Conservative treatment was unsuccessful, and on July 20, in Cincinnati, he had season-ending surgery on his shoulder. The Reds granted Crosby free agency in October 2007.
Seattle Mariners (2008)
On February 19, 2008, Crosby signed a minor league contract with 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 March 7, he was released for failing a physical. The reason for his failure was not disclosed. He has since retired from baseball.
Awards
- 1996 - Freshman 1st-Team All-American OF
- 1997 - Summer League 1st-Team All-American OF
- 1997 - Western Athletic ConferenceWestern Athletic ConferenceThe Western Athletic Conference is an American collegiate athletic conference, which was formed on July 27, 1962, making it the sixth oldest of the 11 college athletic conferences currently participating in the NCAA's Division I FBS...
All-Star OF - 1998 - 1st-Team College All-American OF
- 1998 - Western Athletic Conference All-Star OF
- 2001 - Southern LeagueSouthern 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 OF - 2003 - Pacific Coast LeaguePacific Coast LeagueThe Pacific Coast League is a minor-league baseball league operating in the Western, Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Along with the International League and the Mexican League, it is one of three leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one step below Major League Baseball.The...
Player of the Month, May - 2003 - Pacific Coast League All-Star OF
- 2004 - James Dawson Award (given to the top rookie at the Yankees spring training camp)