Josh Willingham
Encyclopedia
Joshua David Willingham (born February 17, 1979 in Florence, Alabama
) is an American
Major League Baseball
left fielder
. He has played for the Florida Marlins
, Washington Nationals
and Oakland Athletics
.
. Willingham attended college at the University of North Alabama
. He played shortstop
and was a two-time All-Gulf South Conference
selection (1999, 2000) and a 2-time American Baseball Coaches Association All American. He is a member of Sigma Chi
fraternity, Eta Rho Chapter.
in the 17th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
. He made his MLB debut on July 6, 2004 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
but did not garner regular playing time until 2006.
After struggling to find a fielding position for Willingham, as his advanced hitting abilities did not allow him the opportunity to develop defensively, the Marlins made Willingham their starting left-fielder during the 2006 season in wake of the Marlins's "marker correction" in the 2005 offseason.
On April 4, 2006, Willingham recorded his first career multi-homer game, launching two against the Houston Astros
. He ended the 2006 season with a solid line of .277/.356/.496 with 26 home runs and 74 runs batted in.
2007 proved to be another successful season for Willingham in his sophomore season. He maintained a solid batting average while hitting 21 home runs and 89 runs batted in. He became the team's regular left fielder in 2007, making just three errors in 223 total chances.
Willingham saw a reduced amount of playing time in 2008 due to a 50 game stint on the disabled list, appearing in just over 100 games as opposed to over 140 in the previous two years. His production suffered as his batting average regressed (.258) and his home run totals dipped to 15 on the season. He homered in 4 straight games for first time in career, September 21–26.
, along with pitcher Scott Olsen
for Emilio Bonifacio
, Jake Smolinski, and P.J. Dean. Willingham began 2009 as the National’s fifth outfielder behind Adam Dunn
, Elijah Dukes
, Austin Kearns
, and Lastings Milledge
. In May, however, Kearns was sidelined with a fractured foot, giving Willingham a starting role. Dunn was eventually moved to first base and Milledge was traded for then-Pittsburgh Pirates
outfielder Nyjer Morgan
. Willingham was very productive, proving himself worthy of the everyday left fielder position. On July 27, 2009, Willingham became the 13th player in MLB history to hit two grand slams in the same game and the 7th in MLB history to accomplish this feat in back to back innings. He ended the season with a line of .260/.367/.496 with 24 home runs and 61 RBIs. Having secured the starting left field job, Willingham was productive in the Nationals lineup in 2010. He batted 5th behind sluggers Ryan Zimmerman
and Adam Dunn
.
for pitcher
Henry Rodríguez
and outfielder
Corey Brown
. His 2011 batting average of .246 was his lowest since his rookie season, but he reached career pinnacles in home runs (29) and RBIs (98). Willingham won the 2011 Catfish Hunter Award.
Florence, Alabama
Florence is the county seat of Lauderdale County, Alabama, United States, in the northwestern corner of the state.According to the 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the city's population was 36,721....
) is an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
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...
left fielder
Left fielder
In baseball, a left fielder is an outfielder who plays defense in left field. Left field is the area of the outfield to the left of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
. He has played for the 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...
, Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
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....
.
Early years
He was born in Florence, Alabama where he played high school baseball and basketball at Mars Hill Bible SchoolMars Hill Bible School
Mars Hill Bible School is a nominally non-sectarian preparatory day school for boys and girls located in Florence, Alabama. The school begins at pre-kindergarten and continues through the twelfth grade.-History:...
. Willingham attended college at the University of North Alabama
University of North Alabama
The University of North Alabama is a coeducational university located in Florence, Alabama, and the state's oldest four-year public university....
. He played shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
and was a two-time All-Gulf South Conference
Gulf South Conference
The Gulf South Conference is a College Athletic Conference which operates in the southeastern United States. It participates in the NCAA's Division II.-History:...
selection (1999, 2000) and a 2-time American Baseball Coaches Association All American. He is a member of Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi
Sigma Chi is the largest and one of the oldest college Greek-letter secret and social fraternities in North America with 244 active chapters and more than . Sigma Chi was founded on June 28, 1855 at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio when members split from Delta Kappa Epsilon...
fraternity, Eta Rho Chapter.
Florida Marlins
Willingham was drafted by the Florida MarlinsFlorida 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...
in the 17th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft
2000 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Compensation picks:- Background :The Florida Marlins made Adrian Gonzalez of Eastlake High School in Chula Vista, CA the first overall selection in the 2000 First-Year Player Draft...
. He made his MLB debut on July 6, 2004 against the Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
but did not garner regular playing time until 2006.
After struggling to find a fielding position for Willingham, as his advanced hitting abilities did not allow him the opportunity to develop defensively, the Marlins made Willingham their starting left-fielder during the 2006 season in wake of the Marlins's "marker correction" in the 2005 offseason.
On April 4, 2006, Willingham recorded his first career multi-homer game, launching two against 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...
. He ended the 2006 season with a solid line of .277/.356/.496 with 26 home runs and 74 runs batted in.
2007 proved to be another successful season for Willingham in his sophomore season. He maintained a solid batting average while hitting 21 home runs and 89 runs batted in. He became the team's regular left fielder in 2007, making just three errors in 223 total chances.
Willingham saw a reduced amount of playing time in 2008 due to a 50 game stint on the disabled list, appearing in just over 100 games as opposed to over 140 in the previous two years. His production suffered as his batting average regressed (.258) and his home run totals dipped to 15 on the season. He homered in 4 straight games for first time in career, September 21–26.
Washington Nationals
On November 11, 2008, Willingham was traded to the Washington NationalsWashington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
, along with pitcher Scott Olsen
Scott Olsen
Scott Matthew Olsen is a Major League Baseball starting pitcher who is a free agent.-Early life:Olsen was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan...
for Emilio Bonifacio
Emilio Bonifacio
Emilio Jose Bonifacio Del Rosario is a Dominican professional baseball 3rd baseman with the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball in the United States. He played in his first Major League game on September 1, 2007 when he was called up by the Arizona Diamondbacks...
, Jake Smolinski, and P.J. Dean. Willingham began 2009 as the National’s fifth outfielder behind Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Troy Dunn , nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
, Elijah Dukes
Elijah Dukes
Elijah David Dukes, Jr. is an American professional baseball player. A right-handed outfielder, he currently plays for the Newark Bears.-High school years:...
, Austin Kearns
Austin Kearns
Austin Ryan Kearns is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent.-Cincinnati Reds:...
, and Lastings Milledge
Lastings Milledge
Lastings Darnell Milledge is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was the youngest player in the National League during the 2006 season.-Early life:Milledge was born in Bradenton, Florida...
. In May, however, Kearns was sidelined with a fractured foot, giving Willingham a starting role. Dunn was eventually moved to first base and Milledge was traded for then-Pittsburgh Pirates
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
outfielder Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Jamid Morgan nicknamed Tony Plush is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers....
. Willingham was very productive, proving himself worthy of the everyday left fielder position. On July 27, 2009, Willingham became the 13th player in MLB history to hit two grand slams in the same game and the 7th in MLB history to accomplish this feat in back to back innings. He ended the season with a line of .260/.367/.496 with 24 home runs and 61 RBIs. Having secured the starting left field job, Willingham was productive in the Nationals lineup in 2010. He batted 5th behind sluggers Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Wallace Zimmerman is a Major League Baseball third baseman with the Washington Nationals. A 6-foot 3-inch player from the University of Virginia and Kellam High School, Zimmerman has been a member of the Nationals since his debut on September 1, 2005...
and Adam Dunn
Adam Dunn
Adam Troy Dunn , nicknamed "Big Donkey", is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed....
.
Oakland Athletics
On December 16, 2010, Willingham was traded to the Oakland AthleticsOakland 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....
for 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...
Henry Rodríguez
Henry Rodríguez (pitcher)
Henry Alberto Rodríguez is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Washington Nationals. He was signed by scout Julio Franco and has a fastball that can reach triple digits.-Oakland Athletics:...
and 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...
Corey Brown
Corey Brown
Corey Allen Brown is a Major League Baseball center fielder for the Washington Nationals. He is 6'1" tall and he weighs 205 pounds....
. His 2011 batting average of .246 was his lowest since his rookie season, but he reached career pinnacles in home runs (29) and RBIs (98). Willingham won the 2011 Catfish Hunter Award.