Lastings Milledge
Encyclopedia
Lastings Darnell Milledge (born April 5, 1985) is an American
professional baseball
outfielder
who is a free agent. He was the youngest player in the National League
during the 2006 season.
. At the age of twelve, he pitched and played third base and hit third for the Manatee East Little League
team that was the national runner-up in the 1997 Little League World Series
. He received the win on the mound in the semi-final game of the regional, giving up only one run on a solo home run in a win against Mississippi.
In 2001, he led Team USA to a Gold Medal game victory over Venezuela in the International Baseball Federation's AA World Youth Championships. Later that year, Baseball America
named Milledge the best 16-year-old player in the United States. He graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School
in Bradenton, Florida
in 2003 after leading his team to the state 5A title his senior year.
, he was expected to be among the top three selections, but as draft day approached, press reports from 2002 resurfaced regarding Milledge's expulsion from Northside Christian High School after his junior year for allegedly having sex with a minor. He subsequently transferred to Lakewood Ranch High School where he finished his education and amateur baseball career.
As a result of the incident, Milledge was passed over in the 2003 amateur draft until the Mets selected him as the twelfth overall pick in the first round. The Mets began contract negotiations with Milledge, but the talks were interrupted in early August 2003, when the Mets learned of allegations of additional sexual misconduct against Milledge during his time at Northside. The Mets completed a private investigation of the matter and, satisfied with the results, signed Milledge to a contract with a $2.2 million signing bonus.
of the Appalachian League
. In 2004, he was slated to start the year with the class A Capital City Bombers, but he suffered a fractured metacarpal on his right hand in spring training, missing the first six weeks of the season. In 65 games with the Bombers, he hit .337 with 13 home runs, 58 RBI and 23 stolen bases, earning him a promotion to the St. Lucie Mets
in August. In 2005, he continued his minor league success hitting .302 with St. Lucie in the first half of the season and .337 with the AA Binghamton Mets
in the second half. He began the 2006 season leading off and playing right field for the AAA Norfolk Tides
.
Milledge made his major league debut on May 30, 2006 as the starting right fielder for the Mets in a 7–2 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks
. He went 1 for 4 with a double off Arizona pitcher Miguel Batista
. Milledge was 21 years, 55 days old on the day of his debut - exactly the same age as former Met Darryl Strawberry
when he made his 1983
debut. In his three separate stints in the majors in 2006, Milledge hit .241 with 4 HR and 22 RBI in 56 games.
On June 4, against the San Francisco Giants
, Milledge hit a solo home run off Giants closer Armando Benitez
to tie up the game 6–6 in the bottom of the tenth inning (this was Milledge's first career home run). When the Mets returned to the field the following inning, Milledge, still excited, high-fived the Shea faithful as he returned to his position, inciting the ire of his manager and some teammates, not to mention the national sports media. In late September, one of Milledge's Mets teammates placed a sign on his locker which read, "Know Your Place, Rook!" The sign-placer was identified in published reports as then Mets closer Billy Wagner
.
after the game on April 12 to create room on the roster so that starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey could be called up and make his season debut in the following day's game.
In May, it was reported that Milledge appeared in a rap song, "Bend Ya Knees," by Manny D, a childhood friend. The song contained the words "bitch", "ho
", and "nigga
". The Mets organization responded by saying, "We disapprove of the content, language and message of this recording, which does not represent the views of the New York Mets."
Upon his recovery from a foot injury, Milledge was called up to the major leagues after the All-Star
break on July 12. Veteran Julio Franco
was designated for assignment to make room for Milledge.
On November 30, , Milledge was traded to the Washington Nationals for Ryan Church and Brian Schneider
.
, posting a .245 average, 7 home runs, and 32 RBI for the season. However, on June 28, he suffered a groin strain, and he was placed on the disabled list the next day. Roger Bernadina
was called up to take his place. On July 24, the Nationals activated Milledge from the DL and designated Johnny Estrada
for assignment. Milledge went 2 for 18 in his first five games after his return. However in the month of August, he batted .336 with 6 HR and 16 RBI.
. Milledge wore #85 because that is his year of birth. Milledge began the season as the Nationals' leadoff hitter. Because of his slow start where he batted .167 with 1 RBI and no extra base hits in 24 at bats, he was optioned down to AAA Syracuse on 15 April.
On June 30, Milledge was traded along with reliever Joel Hanrahan
to the Pittsburgh Pirates
for outfielder Nyjer Morgan
and reliever Sean Burnett
. Milledge, still rehabbing from an injury that occurred at AAA Syracuse when the trade was made, was assigned to the Pirates' Gulf Coast League
team in Bradenton, FL to complete his rehab, and then moved to the Pirates' AAA affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians
, with a short stint at the Lynchburg Hillcats
during the AAA all-star break. After recovering from his injury he became the Pirates' everyday left fielder. He showed growth in his work ethic and his glove work improved. He finished a below par 2009 with 11 doubles, 0 triples, 4 home runs, 21 runs batted in, was walked 13 times, struck out 47 times, stole 7 bases, those went along with .276 average, a .323 on base percentage, a .373 slugging percentage, in 244 at bats.
, Milledge appeared to have hit his first home run of the season in the 4th inning. However, the ball actually hit the top of the left field wall in PNC Park
and bounced back into play. As Milledge rounded first base, the stadium fireworks were set off and the celebration music began to play. Chicago outfielder Alfonso Soriano
picked up the ball and threw it into the infield where Milledge was tagged out. Milledge was officially credited with a double on the play.
On December 2, 2010, Milledge became a free agent when the Pirates elected not to tender a contract offer to him for 2011.
signed Milledge to a minor league deal. On March 30, 2011, the White Sox bought Milledge's minor league contract from the Charlotte Knights, and it was announced that he had made the Sox's 25-man opening day roster. However, on April 7, 2011, the Sox designated Milledge for assignment. He cleared waivers and has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Charlotte. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
professional baseball
Baseball
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...
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 is a free agent. He was the youngest player in 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...
during the 2006 season.
Early life
Milledge was born in Bradenton, FloridaFlorida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
. At the age of twelve, he pitched and played third base and hit third for the Manatee East Little League
Little League
Little League Baseball and Softball is a non-profit organization in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States which organizes local youth baseball and softball leagues throughout the U.S...
team that was the national runner-up in the 1997 Little League World Series
1997 Little League World Series
The 1997 Little League World Series took place between August 18 and August 23 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Linda Vista Little League of Guadalupe, Nuevo León, Mexico, defeated South Mission Viejo Little League of Mission Viejo, California, in the championship game of the 51st Little League...
. He received the win on the mound in the semi-final game of the regional, giving up only one run on a solo home run in a win against Mississippi.
In 2001, he led Team USA to a Gold Medal game victory over Venezuela in the International Baseball Federation's AA World Youth Championships. Later that year, Baseball America
Baseball America
Baseball America is a magazine which covers baseball at every level, with a particular focus on up-and-coming players in high school, college, Japan, and the minor leagues. It is currently published in the form of a bi-weekly newspaper, five annual reference book titles, a weekly podcast, and a...
named Milledge the best 16-year-old player in the United States. He graduated from Lakewood Ranch High School
Lakewood Ranch High School
The Lakewood Ranch High School in Manatee County, Florida, United States, was opened in 1998 in Bradenton, Florida. It is named after the housing development it borders, Lakewood Ranch.- External links :*****...
in Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
in 2003 after leading his team to the state 5A title his senior year.
Amateur draft
Prior to the 2003 amateur draft2003 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2003 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 3 and 4. It was conducted via conference call with representatives from each of the league's 30 teams.Source: -First round selections:...
, he was expected to be among the top three selections, but as draft day approached, press reports from 2002 resurfaced regarding Milledge's expulsion from Northside Christian High School after his junior year for allegedly having sex with a minor. He subsequently transferred to Lakewood Ranch High School where he finished his education and amateur baseball career.
As a result of the incident, Milledge was passed over in the 2003 amateur draft until the Mets selected him as the twelfth overall pick in the first round. The Mets began contract negotiations with Milledge, but the talks were interrupted in early August 2003, when the Mets learned of allegations of additional sexual misconduct against Milledge during his time at Northside. The Mets completed a private investigation of the matter and, satisfied with the results, signed Milledge to a contract with a $2.2 million signing bonus.
Minor league career
The delay in signing Milledge prevented him from beginning his professional career until shortly before the end of the minor league season in 2003. He appeared in only seven games, hitting .231 for the Kingsport MetsKingsport Mets
The Kingsport Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Kingsport, Tennessee, United States. The team, which plays in the Appalachian League, is a Rookie League affiliate of Major League Baseball's New York Mets....
of the Appalachian League
Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a Rookie-class minor league that began play in 1937 with one year of inactivity in 1956. From 1937 to 1962, it was a Class D League. Teams are located in the Appalachian regions of Virginia, North Carolina, West Virginia and Tennessee...
. In 2004, he was slated to start the year with the class A Capital City Bombers, but he suffered a fractured metacarpal on his right hand in spring training, missing the first six weeks of the season. In 65 games with the Bombers, he hit .337 with 13 home runs, 58 RBI and 23 stolen bases, earning him a promotion to the St. Lucie Mets
St. Lucie Mets
The St. Lucie Mets are a minor league baseball team based in Port St. Lucie, Florida.The team, which plays in the Florida State League, is the High-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club.The team plays at Digital Domain Park...
in August. In 2005, he continued his minor league success hitting .302 with St. Lucie in the first half of the season and .337 with the AA Binghamton Mets
Binghamton Mets
The Binghamton Mets are a U.S. minor league baseball team based in Binghamton, New York. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the New York Mets major-league club...
in the second half. He began the 2006 season leading off and playing right field for the AAA Norfolk Tides
Norfolk Tides
The Norfolk Tides are a minor league baseball team in the Triple-A International League. They play at Harbor Park in Norfolk, Virginia. Since 2007 they have been a farm team of the Baltimore Orioles; prior to that, they had a 38-year affiliation with the New York Mets.-Franchise history:The...
.
Rookie season
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks are a professional baseball team based in Phoenix. They play in the West Division of Major League Baseball's National League. From 1998 to the present, they have played in Chase Field...
. He went 1 for 4 with a double off Arizona pitcher Miguel Batista
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Washington Nationals, St...
. Milledge was 21 years, 55 days old on the day of his debut - exactly the same age as former Met Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Strawberry
Darryl Eugene Strawberry is a former American Major League Baseball outfielder who is well-known both for his play on the field and for his controversial behavior off it...
when he made his 1983
1983 in baseball
-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Baltimore Orioles over Philadelphia Phillies ; Rick Dempsey, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Mike Boddicker*National League Championship Series MVP: Gary Matthews...
debut. In his three separate stints in the majors in 2006, Milledge hit .241 with 4 HR and 22 RBI in 56 games.
On June 4, against the San Francisco Giants
2006 San Francisco Giants season
The San Francisco Giants are an American baseball team. Their 2006 season included the San Francisco Giants attempting to win the National League West division. The Giants finished 11½ games behind the division winner, the San Diego Padres.-Season summary:...
, Milledge hit a solo home run off Giants closer Armando Benitez
Armando Benítez
Armando Germán Benítez is a relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Baltimore Orioles:...
to tie up the game 6–6 in the bottom of the tenth inning (this was Milledge's first career home run). When the Mets returned to the field the following inning, Milledge, still excited, high-fived the Shea faithful as he returned to his position, inciting the ire of his manager and some teammates, not to mention the national sports media. In late September, one of Milledge's Mets teammates placed a sign on his locker which read, "Know Your Place, Rook!" The sign-placer was identified in published reports as then Mets closer Billy Wagner
Billy Wagner
William Edward Wagner , nicknamed "Billy the Kid", is a retired Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He pitched for the Houston Astros , the Philadelphia Phillies , the New York Mets , the Boston Red Sox , and the Atlanta Braves...
.
2007
After having an impressive spring training both on and off the field, Milledge was named to the Mets' opening day roster. He saw very limited game action, and was subsequently optioned down to AAA New OrleansNew Orleans Zephyrs
The New Orleans Zephyrs are a minor league baseball team based in Metairie, Louisiana, a suburb of New Orleans. The Zephyrs play in the Pacific Coast League and are the Triple-A affiliate of the Miami Marlins. The Zephyrs play their home games at Zephyr Field....
after the game on April 12 to create room on the roster so that starting pitcher Mike Pelfrey could be called up and make his season debut in the following day's game.
In May, it was reported that Milledge appeared in a rap song, "Bend Ya Knees," by Manny D, a childhood friend. The song contained the words "bitch", "ho
Prostitution
Prostitution is the act or practice of providing sexual services to another person in return for payment. The person who receives payment for sexual services is called a prostitute and the person who receives such services is known by a multitude of terms, including a "john". Prostitution is one of...
", and "nigga
Nigga
Nigga is a term used in African American Vernacular English that began as an eye dialect form of the word nigger .- Use in language :In practice, its use and meaning are...
". The Mets organization responded by saying, "We disapprove of the content, language and message of this recording, which does not represent the views of the New York Mets."
Upon his recovery from a foot injury, Milledge was called up to the major leagues after the All-Star
2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 2007 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 78th midseason exhibition between the all-stars of the American League and the National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 10, 2007, at AT&T Park, the home of the NL's San Francisco Giants...
break on July 12. Veteran Julio Franco
Julio Franco
Julio César Robles Franco is a former Major League Baseball infielder and designated hitter. In , Franco was the oldest active player in the major leagues at the age of 49....
was designated for assignment to make room for Milledge.
Brian Schneider
Brian Duncan Schneider is an American Major League Baseball catcher.-Early life:Schneider was born in Jacksonville, Florida to Peter and Karen Schneider...
.
2008
Milledge served as the everyday starting center fielder for the Nationals. Up until the end of June, he had been batting third in the lineup in place of the injured Ryan ZimmermanRyan 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...
, posting a .245 average, 7 home runs, and 32 RBI for the season. However, on June 28, he suffered a groin strain, and he was placed on the disabled list the next day. Roger Bernadina
Roger Bernadina
Rogearvin Argelo "Roger" Bernadina is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals. He was signed at age 17 as a nondrafted free agent in 2001....
was called up to take his place. On July 24, the Nationals activated Milledge from the DL and designated Johnny Estrada
Johnny Estrada
Johnny Pulado Estrada III is a former American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers and the Washington Nationals.Estrada was selected in the 17th round of the 1997 Major...
for assignment. Milledge went 2 for 18 in his first five games after his return. However in the month of August, he batted .336 with 6 HR and 16 RBI.
2009
On February 19, he willingly gave up #44 for Adam DunnAdam 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....
. Milledge wore #85 because that is his year of birth. Milledge began the season as the Nationals' leadoff hitter. Because of his slow start where he batted .167 with 1 RBI and no extra base hits in 24 at bats, he was optioned down to AAA Syracuse on 15 April.
On June 30, Milledge was traded along with reliever Joel Hanrahan
Joel Hanrahan
Joel Ryan Hanrahan , nicknamed The Hammer, is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
to 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...
for outfielder Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Morgan
Nyjer Jamid Morgan nicknamed Tony Plush is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Milwaukee Brewers....
and reliever Sean Burnett
Sean Burnett
Sean Richard Burnett is a relief pitcher for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the first round in 2000 after leading Wellington High School to a 6A State Title in his senior year.Known for his change-up, remarkable control, presence,...
. Milledge, still rehabbing from an injury that occurred at AAA Syracuse when the trade was made, was assigned to the Pirates' Gulf Coast League
Gulf Coast League
The Gulf Coast League is a minor league baseball league which operates in Florida. It is a Rookie League, with a season running from mid-June to late August. The season is 60 games long and teams in the league are divided into three divisions, East, North and South...
team in Bradenton, FL to complete his rehab, and then moved to the Pirates' AAA affiliate, the Indianapolis Indians
Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a minor league baseball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. The team, which plays in the International League, is the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates major-league club. The Indians play at Victory Field, located in downtown Indianapolis...
, with a short stint at the Lynchburg Hillcats
Lynchburg Hillcats
The Lynchburg Hillcats are a minor league baseball team in Lynchburg, Virginia. They are a Class High-A team in the Carolina League, and currently are a farm team of the Atlanta Braves. They had been a farm team of the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1995, with the Cincinnati Reds fulfilling the final...
during the AAA all-star break. After recovering from his injury he became the Pirates' everyday left fielder. He showed growth in his work ethic and his glove work improved. He finished a below par 2009 with 11 doubles, 0 triples, 4 home runs, 21 runs batted in, was walked 13 times, struck out 47 times, stole 7 bases, those went along with .276 average, a .323 on base percentage, a .373 slugging percentage, in 244 at bats.
2010
In the May 6 game against the Chicago CubsChicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, Milledge appeared to have hit his first home run of the season in the 4th inning. However, the ball actually hit the top of the left field wall in PNC Park
PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball park located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball franchise. It opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, after the controlled implosion of the Pirates' previous home, Three Rivers Stadium...
and bounced back into play. As Milledge rounded first base, the stadium fireworks were set off and the celebration music began to play. Chicago outfielder Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Guilleard Soriano is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs....
picked up the ball and threw it into the infield where Milledge was tagged out. Milledge was officially credited with a double on the play.
On December 2, 2010, Milledge became a free agent when the Pirates elected not to tender a contract offer to him for 2011.
2011
On February 3, 2011, 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...
signed Milledge to a minor league deal. On March 30, 2011, the White Sox bought Milledge's minor league contract from the Charlotte Knights, and it was announced that he had made the Sox's 25-man opening day roster. However, on April 7, 2011, the Sox designated Milledge for assignment. He cleared waivers and has accepted an outright assignment to Triple-A Charlotte. After the 2011 season, he elected for free agency.
