John Buck
Encyclopedia
Johnathan Richard Buck (born July 7, 1980 in Kemmerer
, Wyoming
) is an American Major League Baseball
catcher
who plays for the Miami Marlins. He went to high school in Taylorsville
, Utah
. He is the only active MLB player to have been born in Wyoming.
A catcher
, Buck was initially drafted by the Houston Astros
in the 7th round of the Amateur Draft. He was signed to a minor league contract on June 11, 1998.
By 2002, Buck was highly regarded for his defensive ability, becoming one of the game's top minor league catchers and 68th top prospect in all of baseball. In 2003, Buck moved farther up prospect lists. He was listed as the 21st best prospect in baseball by John Sickels.
, sending Buck to Kansas City. The Royals immediately put Buck in their starting lineup, replacing injured veteran Benito Santiago
. Buck made his major league debut on June 25. Although he initially appeared overmatched by major-league pitching—his batting average reached a low of .138 on July 7—he impressed the team with his defensive ability and his handling of pitchers. His hitting improved with time, and by September 25 he had raised his average to .243 with 12 home run
s, and 30 RBIs.
In , Buck fought with teammate Runelvys Hernández
in the Royals dugout during a game against the Indians
.
.
On April 29, 2010. Buck hit 3 home-runs in a single game against the Oakland Athletics. Buck's performance in this game made him a fan favorite. On July 4, 2010, Buck was elected to the 2010 American League All-Star team along with fellow Blue Jays Vernon Wells and Jose Bautista. In his first All-Star Game he went 1–2 with a Double.
pitcher Mike Pelfrey.
In 2011, he had the lowest percentage of runners caught stealing of all major league catchers, at .170.
Kemmerer, Wyoming
Kemmerer is both the largest city and the county seat of Lincoln County, Wyoming, United States. The population was 2,651 at the 2000 census. It dubs itself the "The Fossil Fish Capital of the World" and the "Gateway to the West." As the county seat of Lincoln County, Kemmerer is the location of...
, Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
) is an American 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...
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...
who plays for the Miami Marlins. He went to high school in Taylorsville
Taylorsville, Utah
Taylorsville is a city in Salt Lake County, Utah, United States. It is part of the Salt Lake City, Utah Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 57,439 at the 2000 census...
, Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
. He is the only active MLB player to have been born in Wyoming.
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...
, Buck was initially drafted by the Houston Astros
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
in the 7th round of the Amateur Draft. He was signed to a minor league contract on June 11, 1998.
By 2002, Buck was highly regarded for his defensive ability, becoming one of the game's top minor league catchers and 68th top prospect in all of baseball. In 2003, Buck moved farther up prospect lists. He was listed as the 21st best prospect in baseball by John Sickels.
Kansas City Royals
On June 24, , the Astros traded him as part of a three-way deal to acquire Carlos BeltránCarlos Beltrán
Carlos Iván Beltrán is a Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early life:In his youth, Beltrán excelled in many sports, with volleyball and baseball being his favorites. At his father's urging, he gave up volleyball to concentrate on baseball when he was seventeen...
, sending Buck to Kansas City. The Royals immediately put Buck in their starting lineup, replacing injured veteran Benito Santiago
Benito Santiago
Benito Santiago Rivera is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball player. He played for twenty seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the San Diego Padres...
. Buck made his major league debut on June 25. Although he initially appeared overmatched by major-league pitching—his batting average reached a low of .138 on July 7—he impressed the team with his defensive ability and his handling of pitchers. His hitting improved with time, and by September 25 he had raised his average to .243 with 12 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 30 RBIs.
In , Buck fought with teammate Runelvys Hernández
Runelvys Hernández
Runelvys Antonio Hernandez is a former right-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher .Hernandez made his major league debut July 15, , with Kansas City Royals...
in the Royals dugout during a game against the 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...
.
Toronto Blue Jays
On December 16, 2009, Buck signed a one year contract with the Toronto Blue JaysToronto 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 ....
.
On April 29, 2010. Buck hit 3 home-runs in a single game against the Oakland Athletics. Buck's performance in this game made him a fan favorite. On July 4, 2010, Buck was elected to the 2010 American League All-Star team along with fellow Blue Jays Vernon Wells and Jose Bautista. In his first All-Star Game he went 1–2 with a Double.
Florida/Miami Marlins
Buck agreed to a three-year contract with the Florida Marlins worth $18 million on November 16, 2010. The deal was confirmed on November 17, 2010. In his first game with the Marlins, he hit a grand slam off of New York MetsNew York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
pitcher Mike Pelfrey.
In 2011, he had the lowest percentage of runners caught stealing of all major league catchers, at .170.