John Jaha
Encyclopedia
John Emil Jaha is a former first baseman
in Major League Baseball
who had a 10-year career from 1992 to 2001. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers
and Oakland Athletics
, playing in both the American League
and National League
.
He was elected to the American League All-Star
team in 1999.
John Jaha graduated from David Douglas High School in Portland, Oregon in 1984. He still holds most offensive baseball records for the school. Jaha was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1984 and made his Major League debut with the Brewers on July 9, 1992. He also had great success playing with the Daikyo Dolphins
in the Australian Baseball League in 1991 and 1992 alongside Brewers and 1999 All-Star team mate, Dave Nilsson
. Earlier in 1992, while playing for Brewers Triple-A affiliate Denver, Jaha became only the second player (after Joey Meyer
) to hit a ball into the upper deck at Mile High Stadium
.
After an injury plagued Major League career with the Brewers, John Jaha signed a minor-league contract with the Oakland Athletics in 1999.
Although Jaha wasn't expected to make the team - in fact, he was left out of the team's media guide that spring - he turned in a remarkable comeback season. Earning his first All-Star berth along the way, he finished the season with 35 home run
s (tying Dave Kingman
for most by an Oakland designated hitter
) and 111 RBIs and was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year.
It was his last season of significant productivity. Jaha played in just 33 games in 2000, fewer the following year. An enormously popular figure in the Oakland Athletics clubhouse, he drew a standing ovation from his A's teammates when he finally announced his retirement on June 30, 2001.
Jaha is of Lebanese
descent.
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...
in 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...
who had a 10-year career from 1992 to 2001. He played for the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and 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....
, playing in both the 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...
and 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...
.
He was elected to the American League All-Star
All-star
All-star is a term designating an individual as having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry...
team in 1999.
John Jaha graduated from David Douglas High School in Portland, Oregon in 1984. He still holds most offensive baseball records for the school. Jaha was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in 1984 and made his Major League debut with the Brewers on July 9, 1992. He also had great success playing with the Daikyo Dolphins
Daikyo Dolphins
The Daikyo Dolphins were formerly the Gold Coast Clippers, a foundation team in the now defunct Australian Baseball League. The Clippers changed their name to the Daikyo Dolphins following the signing of a major sponsorship deal with Japanese real estate development company Daikyo to create one of...
in the Australian Baseball League in 1991 and 1992 alongside Brewers and 1999 All-Star team mate, Dave Nilsson
Dave Nilsson
David Wayne Nilsson is a retired Australian professional baseball player who played as catcher for Major League Baseball's Milwaukee Brewers from to . He was an All-Star in 1999, becoming the only Australian player to appear in an All-Star game...
. Earlier in 1992, while playing for Brewers Triple-A affiliate Denver, Jaha became only the second player (after Joey Meyer
Joey Meyer (baseball player)
Tanner Joe Meyer is a former Major League Baseball player. He played two seasons in the majors, and , for the Milwaukee Brewers. He also played one season in Japan for the Taiyo Whales in ....
) to hit a ball into the upper deck at Mile High Stadium
Mile High Stadium
Mile High Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, that stood in Denver, Colorado, from 1948 until 2001.It hosted the Denver Broncos, of the AFL and the NFL, from 1960-2000, the Colorado Rockies, of the National League, of the MLB, from 1993-1994, the Colorado Rapids, of MLS, from 1996-2001, the...
.
After an injury plagued Major League career with the Brewers, John Jaha signed a minor-league contract with the Oakland Athletics in 1999.
Although Jaha wasn't expected to make the team - in fact, he was left out of the team's media guide that spring - he turned in a remarkable comeback season. Earning his first All-Star berth along the way, he finished the season with 35 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 (tying Dave Kingman
Dave Kingman
David Arthur Kingman , nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. The towering 6' 6" Kingman was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s...
for most by an Oakland 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...
) and 111 RBIs and was named the American League Comeback Player of the Year.
It was his last season of significant productivity. Jaha played in just 33 games in 2000, fewer the following year. An enormously popular figure in the Oakland Athletics clubhouse, he drew a standing ovation from his A's teammates when he finally announced his retirement on June 30, 2001.
Jaha is of Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
descent.