Homer Bush
Encyclopedia
Homer Giles Bush is a former Major League Baseball
second baseman
who played for the New York Yankees
, Toronto Blue Jays
and Florida Marlins
. He was a part of the Yankees 1998 World Championship.
in . His first year in the minor leagues he batted .323 with the Arizona Padres (rookie league). After batting only .234 in 1992 in Charleston South Carolina (low A league), he batted .322 with 39 stolen bases in 1993 in Waterloo Iowa (middle A league), winning minor league player of the year for the San Diego Padres organization. His success continued in winter baseball where he played in Australia, hitting .364 and winning the batting title and being named the league MVP. In 1994, Bush split his time between the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (high A league), where he hit .335, and Wichita (AA league), where he hit .298. He then spent that off-season in the Australian Baseball League with the Brisbane Bandits. In 1995, Bush hit .280 with 34 stolen bases in Memphis (the new location of the Padres' AA affiliate). Bush was promoted to Las Vegas (AAA league) in 1996, hitting .362 before suffering a broken leg.
Bush was dealt along with pitcher
Hideki Irabu
to the New York Yankees organization in . The Padres received outfielder
Ruben Rivera
and pitcher
Rafael Medina
in the trade. Bush split time between Columbus (AAA league) and the New York Yankees. Bush hit .364 in 11 at bats with the big league club.
championship. During the regular season, he batted .380 and stole six bases in only 45 games. After the 1998 season, Bush was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, along with pitchers Graeme Lloyd
and David Wells
, for pitcher Roger Clemens
.
Bush played in Toronto from [1999] until . His standout season was in 1999, when he batted .320 and stole 32 bases. Bush was limited by hip injuries in 2000 and batted only .215. He rebounded in 2001, hitting .306. Overall, Bush averaged .283 in his years in Toronto. After being released early in 2002 by the Blue Jays, he was signed by the Florida Marlins, where he finished the season. Bush did not play in 2003 because of hip injuries. In 2004, the New York Yankees signed a now-healthy Bush, but he saw limited playing time. The Yankees invited him to their spring training
in . Due to his recurring hip injuries, however, Bush voluntarily left spring training and retired.
Bush still holds the Illinois State High School football records for most touchdowns scored in a single season and most receiving yards in a single season. He was also named to the All-Century team for Illinois High School Football.
Bush was recruited by the University of Missouri
to play receiver following his high school football career, but opted to pursue baseball as a career.
In , Bush participated in Old-Timer's Day at Yankee Stadium
, at the age of 34.
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...
second baseman
Second baseman
Second base, or 2B, is the second of four stations on a baseball diamond which must be touched in succession by a base runner in order to score a run for that player's team. A second baseman is the baseball player guarding second base...
who played 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...
, Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
and Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
. He was a part of the Yankees 1998 World Championship.
Early baseball years
Having played football in high school for East St. Louis, Bush was drafted by the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
in . His first year in the minor leagues he batted .323 with the Arizona Padres (rookie league). After batting only .234 in 1992 in Charleston South Carolina (low A league), he batted .322 with 39 stolen bases in 1993 in Waterloo Iowa (middle A league), winning minor league player of the year for the San Diego Padres organization. His success continued in winter baseball where he played in Australia, hitting .364 and winning the batting title and being named the league MVP. In 1994, Bush split his time between the Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (high A league), where he hit .335, and Wichita (AA league), where he hit .298. He then spent that off-season in the Australian Baseball League with the Brisbane Bandits. In 1995, Bush hit .280 with 34 stolen bases in Memphis (the new location of the Padres' AA affiliate). Bush was promoted to Las Vegas (AAA league) in 1996, hitting .362 before suffering a broken leg.
Bush was dealt along with pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Hideki Irabu
Hideki Irabu
was a professional baseball player of Okinawan and American mixed ancestry. He played professionally in both Japan and the United States.-Early life:...
to the New York Yankees organization in . The Padres received 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...
Ruben Rivera
Ruben Rivera
Rubén Rivera Moreno is a professional baseball player, who is currently an outfielder for the Piratas de Campeche of the Mexican League. He played Major League Baseball for five different teams, from to...
and pitcher
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Rafael Medina
Rafael Medina (baseball)
Rafael Eduardo Medina is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons. He played for the Florida Marlins from 1998 to 1999. He also has played for the Panama national baseball team....
in the trade. Bush split time between Columbus (AAA league) and the New York Yankees. Bush hit .364 in 11 at bats with the big league club.
Major league years
Bush made the major league roster with the New York Yankees in 1998, and was part of the team's 1998 World Series1998 World Series
The 1998 World Series, the 94th edition of Major League Baseball's championship series, matched the New York Yankees against the San Diego Padres . The Yankees swept the Series in four games to capture their second championship in three years, and their 24th overall...
championship. During the regular season, he batted .380 and stole six bases in only 45 games. After the 1998 season, Bush was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays, along with pitchers Graeme Lloyd
Graeme Lloyd
Graeme John Lloyd is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who had a ten year career from 1993 to 2003.-Playing career:...
and David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
, for pitcher Roger Clemens
Roger Clemens
William Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
.
Bush played in Toronto from [1999] until . His standout season was in 1999, when he batted .320 and stole 32 bases. Bush was limited by hip injuries in 2000 and batted only .215. He rebounded in 2001, hitting .306. Overall, Bush averaged .283 in his years in Toronto. After being released early in 2002 by the Blue Jays, he was signed by the Florida Marlins, where he finished the season. Bush did not play in 2003 because of hip injuries. In 2004, the New York Yankees signed a now-healthy Bush, but he saw limited playing time. The Yankees invited him to their spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
in . Due to his recurring hip injuries, however, Bush voluntarily left spring training and retired.
High school football star
Bush was a standout wideout at East Saint Louis High School in East Saint Louis, Illinois. He is mentioned periodically in a book entitled "The Right Kind Of Heroes" written by Kevin Horrigan. The book details Coach Bob Shannon and the remarkable success of the East St. Louis Flyers football program in 1989 and 1990. Throughout the book, Bush is referenced as the team's "go to" player, as well as a likeable person.Bush still holds the Illinois State High School football records for most touchdowns scored in a single season and most receiving yards in a single season. He was also named to the All-Century team for Illinois High School Football.
Bush was recruited by the University of Missouri
University of Missouri
The University of Missouri System is a state university system providing centralized administration for four universities, a health care system, an extension program, five research and technology parks, and a publishing press. More than 64,000 students are currently enrolled at its four campuses...
to play receiver following his high school football career, but opted to pursue baseball as a career.
Other activities and awards
Bush was listed on the "All Nice Guy" team for all of Major League Baseball by Ken Davidoff in [2008].In , Bush participated in Old-Timer's Day 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...
, at the age of 34.