Mark Teahen
Encyclopedia
Mark Thomas Teahen is an American-Canadian professional baseball
infielder
for the Toronto Blue Jays
of Major League Baseball
.
He graduated from Yucaipa High School in 1999 and attended St. Mary's College
in California
. Teahen was drafted 39th overall in the 2002 draft
by the Oakland Athletics
with a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. Teahen was one of the featured players in the book Moneyball, which claimed that Teahen had the potential to become the next Jason Giambi
.
Prior to the 2009 World Baseball Classic
, Teahen, whose father was born in St. Marys, Ontario
, became a naturalized Canadian
citizen and played for Team Canada in that event. In 2011, Teahen and Brett Lawrie
both started in the infield for the Blue Jays, marking the first time the squad had two Canadians in its starting lineup.
, as part of a three-way trade that sent Carlos Beltran
to the Houston Astros
, Octavio Dotel
from the Astros to the Athletics, and John Buck from the Astros to the Royals. Although he had been one of the most highly regarded prospects in the Oakland organization, he became available when the Athletics were able to sign Eric Chavez
to a long-term contract.
Royals management did not expect Teahen to make the opening-day roster in ; however, after hitting .344 in spring training
and after injuries sidelined potential third basemen Chris Truby
and Chris Clapinski
, the Royals announced Teahen would be their regular third baseman for 2005, and he made his major-league debut on April 4, 2005.
His first hit was a triple and he hit 4 homers in his last 17 games of 2005. Teahen hit .240 in his rookie season with KC. He had the lowest fielding percentage of all third basemen in the league, .947, and the lowest zone rating of all major league third basemen (.706).
In , he hit .290 with 18 home run
s and 69 RBIs. During July, he raised his performance level with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs during the 38 games ending August 2. He continued to hit well, but suffered an injury and had to have season-ending surgery on September 8.
Going into the season, Teahen moved from third base to right field because of the arrival of young prospect Alex Gordon
. His HR total dropped alarmingly to only 7 homers, after hitting 18 the year prior. During the season, he hit two inside-the-park home runs (leading the majors), bringing his total for 2008 to 14 HRs.
While in Kansas City, Teahen was a spokesman and fundraiser for a program that gave children with physical or mental challenges the chance to play baseball. Since Teahen obtained dual Canadian-American citizenship in 2005, he was able to play for the Canadian team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
. In , he hit .271 with a career-high 34 doubles, 12 home runs and 50 RBI in 144 games with Kansas City. He made 99 starts at third base, 31 in right field and three at second.
in exchange for infielders Chris Getz
and Josh Fields. He later received the 2009 Hutch Award
for his efforts on and off the field.
On December 8, Teahen and the White Sox agreed to a three-year, $14 million deal. Under the terms, Teahen will receive $3.75 million in 2010, $4.75 million in 2011 and $5.5 million in 2012. He will be eligible for free agency following the 2012 season.
with Edwin Jackson
for Jason Frasor
and Zach Stewart.
.
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...
infielder
Infielder
An infielder is a baseball player stationed at one of four defensive "infield" positions on the baseball field.-Standard arrangement of positions:In a game of baseball, two teams of nine players take turns playing offensive and defensive roles...
for the Toronto Blue Jays
Toronto 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 ....
of 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...
.
He graduated from Yucaipa High School in 1999 and attended St. Mary's College
Saint Mary's College of California
Saint Mary's College of California is a private, coeducational college located in Moraga, California, United States, a small suburban community about east of Oakland and 20 miles east of San Francisco. It has a 420-acre campus in the Moraga hills. It is affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church...
in California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Teahen was drafted 39th overall in the 2002 draft
2002 Major League Baseball Draft
The 2002 First-Year Player Draft, Major League Baseball's annual amateur draft, was held on June 4 and 5.This year's draft is featured in Michael Lewis' 2003 book Moneyball.-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Compensation Selections:...
by the 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....
with a sandwich pick between the first and second rounds. Teahen was one of the featured players in the book Moneyball, which claimed that Teahen had the potential to become the next Jason Giambi
Jason Giambi
Jason Gilbert Giambi is an American professional baseball first baseman with the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball.He was the American League MVP in 2000 while with the Oakland Athletics, and is a five-time All-Star who has led the American League in walks four times, in on base percentage...
.
Prior to the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
, Teahen, whose father was born in St. Marys, Ontario
St. Marys, Ontario
St. Marys is a town in southwestern Ontario, Canada. It is located on the Thames River southwest of Stratford in Perth County, and surrounded by the Township of Perth South. The town is also known by its nickname, "The Stone Town", due to the abundance of limestone in the surrounding area, giving...
, became a naturalized Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
citizen and played for Team Canada in that event. In 2011, Teahen and Brett Lawrie
Brett Lawrie
Brett R. Lawrie is a Canadian professional baseball third baseman with the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball. He was traded to the Blue Jays from the Milwaukee Brewers on December 5, 2010 in a deal for starting pitcher Shaun Marcum...
both started in the infield for the Blue Jays, marking the first time the squad had two Canadians in its starting lineup.
Kansas City Royals
Oakland traded him to Kansas City in , along with Mike WoodMike Wood (baseball)
Michael Burton Wood is a former professional baseball pitcher. He has played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball, and one in Nippon Professional Baseball....
, as part of a three-way trade that sent Carlos Beltran
Carlos 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...
to 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...
, Octavio Dotel
Octavio Dotel
Octavio Eduardo Dotel is a Domincan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a Free Agent....
from the Astros to the Athletics, and John Buck from the Astros to the Royals. Although he had been one of the most highly regarded prospects in the Oakland organization, he became available when the Athletics were able to sign Eric Chavez
Eric Chavez
Eric Cesar Chavez is an American Major League Baseball infielder. Chavez has played for the Oakland Athletics and New York Yankees...
to a long-term contract.
Royals management did not expect Teahen to make the opening-day roster in ; however, after hitting .344 in spring training
Spring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
and after injuries sidelined potential third basemen Chris Truby
Chris Truby
Christopher John Truby is a third baseman who played some of his career in Major League Baseball, though most of his time was spent in various teams' minor league systems....
and Chris Clapinski
Chris Clapinski
Christopher Alan Clapinski is a former Major League Baseball infielder who took the field as a shortstop, second baseman, and third baseman during his professional career. He played in the majors for the Florida Marlins for two seasons...
, the Royals announced Teahen would be their regular third baseman for 2005, and he made his major-league debut on April 4, 2005.
His first hit was a triple and he hit 4 homers in his last 17 games of 2005. Teahen hit .240 in his rookie season with KC. He had the lowest fielding percentage of all third basemen in the league, .947, and the lowest zone rating of all major league third basemen (.706).
In , he hit .290 with 18 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 69 RBIs. During July, he raised his performance level with 10 home runs and 35 RBIs during the 38 games ending August 2. He continued to hit well, but suffered an injury and had to have season-ending surgery on September 8.
Going into the season, Teahen moved from third base to right field because of the arrival of young prospect Alex Gordon
Alex Gordon
Alex Jonathan Gordon is a Major League Baseball Outfielder for the Kansas City Royals.-Early years:...
. His HR total dropped alarmingly to only 7 homers, after hitting 18 the year prior. During the season, he hit two inside-the-park home runs (leading the majors), bringing his total for 2008 to 14 HRs.
While in Kansas City, Teahen was a spokesman and fundraiser for a program that gave children with physical or mental challenges the chance to play baseball. Since Teahen obtained dual Canadian-American citizenship in 2005, he was able to play for the Canadian team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic
2009 World Baseball Classic
The 2009 World Baseball Classic was an international baseball competition. It is the only international baseball tournament to feature a large number of players from the major leagues of North America and Asia. It began on March 5, 2009, and finished March 23, 2009.Japan emerged victorious for the...
. In , he hit .271 with a career-high 34 doubles, 12 home runs and 50 RBI in 144 games with Kansas City. He made 99 starts at third base, 31 in right field and three at second.
Chicago White Sox
On November 5, 2009, Teahen was traded by the Royals to 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...
in exchange for infielders Chris Getz
Chris Getz
Christopher Ryan Getz is a Major League Baseball second baseman for the Kansas City Royals. Getz bats left-handed and throws right-handed.-Early life:...
and Josh Fields. He later received the 2009 Hutch Award
Hutch Award
The Hutch Award is given annually to an active Major League Baseball player who best exemplifies the fighting spirit and competitive desire of Fred Hutchinson...
for his efforts on and off the field.
On December 8, Teahen and the White Sox agreed to a three-year, $14 million deal. Under the terms, Teahen will receive $3.75 million in 2010, $4.75 million in 2011 and $5.5 million in 2012. He will be eligible for free agency following the 2012 season.
Toronto Blue Jays
On July 27, 2011, Teahen was traded to 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 ....
with Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson
Edwin Jackson is an American professional baseball pitcher.-Early life:Jackson's father, Edwin Jackson, Sr., a military cook, was stationed in Germany at the time of his birth. Jackson is one of 27 major league players who were born in Germany...
for Jason Frasor
Jason Frasor
Jason Andrew Frasor is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball. He made his debut with the Toronto Blue Jays in , and he had a 4.08 ERA in 63 games....
and Zach Stewart.
Personal life
Mark is married (Lauren) and has two dogs, Espy and Ribi. Espy has an account on TwitterTwitter
Twitter is an online social networking and microblogging service that enables its users to send and read text-based posts of up to 140 characters, informally known as "tweets".Twitter was created in March 2006 by Jack Dorsey and launched that July...
.