Marcus Giles
Encyclopedia
Marcus William Giles is a former Major League Baseball
player. He played second base
and batted right-handed. His older brother, Brian Giles
, was an outfielder who also played in the Major Leagues.
in the 53rd round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft
and made his major league debut in . Despite usually having success during his opportunities in majors, he spent the next two years shuttling between Atlanta and their Triple-A affiliate in Richmond
. In , his year was marred by a severe ankle sprain in May, and the death of his premature daughter, Lundyn Mae. Giles lost his second base starting job to the injury and, shortly after returning, was demoted to Richmond. He did not play in Atlanta again until August.
In , Giles was given the starting job for good, and proceeded to put up such impressive numbers that he was selected to play in the 2003 All-Star Game
. Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion the week prior to the game when Chicago Cubs
pitcher Mark Prior
collided with him on the basepaths. After missing about a week with the injury, Giles returned to the lineup in top form. He finished the 2003 season with 49 doubles, breaking the Braves record for doubles in a season.
In , Giles was poised to wage a campaign similar to 2003 but, on May 15, 2004, against the Milwaukee Brewers, while drifting way back into center field to catch a pop fly, he collided with center fielder Andruw Jones
. Giles suffered a broken collarbone, a concussion, and a bruised right wrist and did not play again until July 15, 2004, missing 52 games.
Giles avoided fluke injuries in and was able to again be a consistent contributor for the Braves. He doubled 45 times (second most in the National League
), scored a career high 104 runs, and was 16 for 19 in the stolen base department.
With the departure of shortstop
Rafael Furcal
in late 2005, the Braves moved Giles to the lead-off position in the lineup for the season. By the end of the season, Giles had become vocal in his objections over batting leadoff. His .262 average was his lowest by far since becoming a starter.
Giles was hospitalized in Philadelphia on September 2, 2006, after experiencing pain in his chest and abdomen http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2572412. On September 3, he was sent back to Atlanta to undergo a cardiovascular test http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060902&content_id=1642714&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl&partnered=rss_atl. Giles told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he may have a damaged heart valve. On September 4, however, it was determined that his heart was perfectly healthy, and he was instead diagnosed with acid reflux
, which is not as serious http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060904&content_id=1645664&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. He rejoined the team in New York
that evening.
In a cost-cutting measure, and due to a decline of production, the Braves non-tendered Giles on December 12, making him a free agent http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2006/12/12/1213gilesgone.html.
He signed a one-year deal with the Padres before the season, but did not live up to expectations and was waived on October 26, 2007.
Due to a poor performance in 2007, Giles could not get a major league contract and settled for a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies
. However, the Rockies released him before the start of the season. Giles then agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers
on a minor league contract, but had a change of heart on his way to report to the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas
and turned down the deal.
On January 6, , he signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies
. He did not make the team, and was released on March 30.
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...
player. He played second base
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...
and batted right-handed. His older brother, Brian Giles
Brian Giles
Brian Stephen Giles is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. During his career he played for the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres...
, was an outfielder who also played in the Major Leagues.
Career
Giles was selected by the Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
in the 53rd round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft
1996 Major League Baseball Draft
The 1996 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft of high school and college baseball players, was held on June 4 and 5, 1996...
and made his major league debut in . Despite usually having success during his opportunities in majors, he spent the next two years shuttling between Atlanta and their Triple-A affiliate in Richmond
Richmond Braves
The Richmond Braves were the Triple-A affiliate of the Atlanta Braves and played in the International League. Colloquially referred to as the R-Braves, they were based in Richmond, Virginia, where they played from 1966, when the Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta where their AAA team, the Crackers,...
. In , his year was marred by a severe ankle sprain in May, and the death of his premature daughter, Lundyn Mae. Giles lost his second base starting job to the injury and, shortly after returning, was demoted to Richmond. He did not play in Atlanta again until August.
In , Giles was given the starting job for good, and proceeded to put up such impressive numbers that he was selected to play in the 2003 All-Star Game
Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
. Unfortunately, he suffered a concussion the week prior to the game when Chicago Cubs
Chicago 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...
pitcher Mark Prior
Mark Prior
Mark William Prior is an American professional baseball pitcher in the New York Yankees organization. He pitched for the Chicago Cubs from 2002-2006. His repertoire of pitches includes a low to mid 90s fastball, a curveball, a slurve, and a changeup.-Amateur career:Prior graduated from the...
collided with him on the basepaths. After missing about a week with the injury, Giles returned to the lineup in top form. He finished the 2003 season with 49 doubles, breaking the Braves record for doubles in a season.
In , Giles was poised to wage a campaign similar to 2003 but, on May 15, 2004, against the Milwaukee Brewers, while drifting way back into center field to catch a pop fly, he collided with center fielder Andruw Jones
Andruw Jones
Andruw Rudolf Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Jones made his debut during the 1996 season. In the 1996 World Series, Jones became the youngest player to ever homered in the postseason...
. Giles suffered a broken collarbone, a concussion, and a bruised right wrist and did not play again until July 15, 2004, missing 52 games.
Giles avoided fluke injuries in and was able to again be a consistent contributor for the Braves. He doubled 45 times (second most 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...
), scored a career high 104 runs, and was 16 for 19 in the stolen base department.
With the departure of 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...
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Furcal
Rafael Antonio Furcal , is a Major League Baseball shortstop who is currently a free agent.-Early career:...
in late 2005, the Braves moved Giles to the lead-off position in the lineup for the season. By the end of the season, Giles had become vocal in his objections over batting leadoff. His .262 average was his lowest by far since becoming a starter.
Giles was hospitalized in Philadelphia on September 2, 2006, after experiencing pain in his chest and abdomen http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2572412. On September 3, he was sent back to Atlanta to undergo a cardiovascular test http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060902&content_id=1642714&vkey=news_atl&fext=.jsp&c_id=atl&partnered=rss_atl. Giles told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he may have a damaged heart valve. On September 4, however, it was determined that his heart was perfectly healthy, and he was instead diagnosed with acid reflux
Gastroesophageal reflux disease
Gastroesophageal reflux disease , gastro-oesophageal reflux disease , gastric reflux disease, or acid reflux disease is chronic symptoms or mucosal damage caused by stomach acid coming up from the stomach into the esophagus...
, which is not as serious http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060904&content_id=1645664&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb. He rejoined the team in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
that evening.
In a cost-cutting measure, and due to a decline of production, the Braves non-tendered Giles on December 12, making him a free agent http://www.ajc.com/braves/content/sports/braves/stories/2006/12/12/1213gilesgone.html.
He signed a one-year deal with the Padres before the season, but did not live up to expectations and was waived on October 26, 2007.
Due to a poor performance in 2007, Giles could not get a major league contract and settled for a minor league deal with the Colorado Rockies
Colorado Rockies
The Colorado Rockies are a Major League Baseball team based in Denver, Colorado. Established in 1991, they started play in 1993 and are in the West Division of the National League. The team is named after the Rocky Mountains...
. However, the Rockies released him before the start of the season. Giles then agreed to terms with the Los Angeles Dodgers
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
on a minor league contract, but had a change of heart on his way to report to the Dodgers' Triple-A affiliate in Las Vegas
Las Vegas 51s
The Las Vegas 51s, formerly known as the Las Vegas Stars, are a minor league baseball team. They are the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. They play at Cashman Field in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team competes in the Pacific Coast League...
and turned down the deal.
On January 6, , he signed a minor league contract with the Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. He did not make the team, and was released on March 30.