Miguel Cairo
Encyclopedia
Miguel Jesús Cairo is a Major League Baseball
utility player who is currently with the Cincinnati Reds
. He has mostly played second base during his career, but has played every position in baseball except catcher
and pitcher
. He currently plays mostly third base
, in place of Scott Rolen
during his off days/when he is on the DL. His batter walkup song is Sex on Fire
by Kings of Leon
.
in 1990. In November 1995, the Dodgers traded Cairo with Willis Otañez
to the Seattle Mariners
for Mike Blowers
, who then traded Cairo with Bill Risley
to the Toronto Blue Jays
for Edwin Hurtado
and Paul Menhart
in December 1995.
Cairo made his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on April 17, 1996 as the starting 2nd baseman wearing #3. During the offseason, he was traded to the Chicago Cubs
.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays
selected Cairo with the eighth pick in the 1997 MLB expansion draft
. He is the sole remaining active player from the 1998 Devil Rays opening day roster.
Cairo signed with the Oakland Athletics
during the 2000-01 offseason, but in March 2001 he was traded to the Cubs for Eric Hinske
. In August 2001, the St. Louis Cardinals
claimed Cairo on waivers from the Cubs.
In 2004, Cairo won the second base job with the New York Yankees
after starting the year in a platoon with Enrique Wilson
. Cairo led the league in percentage of productive outs in 2005 for players with a minimum of 40 at-bats. Cairo recorded 17 productive outs in 32 productive out situations, for a PO% of 0.531. Cairo had the highest winning percentage
of team wins when he played in a game of any player in the majors in 2005 (for players with over 100 games played). However, the Yankees declined to offer him a contract for 2005 and signed Tony Womack
as their new second baseman. Cairo was signed by the New York Mets
as a free agent
before the 2005 season, only to return to the Yankees as a free agent in the 2006 season.
. He was released on August 15. On August 19, 2007, the St. Louis Cardinals
signed Cairo to a minor league contract, with him reporting to Triple-A Memphis on August 22. On September 1, 2007, the Cardinals activated him and brought him up to start at second base in a game against the Cincinnati Reds
. He became a free agent after the season.
.
In the early season, Cairo was seldom used losing his playing time to teammate Willie Bloomquist
and Greg Norton. Norton was soon traded to the Atlanta Braves
and with outfield
trouble, the Mariners started a platoon with Bloomquist and Jeremy Reed
in center field this allowed Cairo to be a back-up for struggling first baseman
Richie Sexson
.
On July 10, the Mariners released Sexson and Cairo assumed the role of full time first basemen for a few days until Bryan LaHair
was finished ailing a sore toe. For the rest of the season, Cairo played most of his time at first base in a platoon with left-handed
hitting LaHair. He got the rare start at the other infield positions when the starters had an off day.
Cairo was sent back up to the Phillies on August 23 after they placed Greg Dobbs
on the 15 day DL. He returned to the utility infield position, and was retained by the club through the remainder of the regular season. His performance during this stint, including several key hits, led to his inclusion in the division-winning team's post-season roster.
. On April 2, 2010, Cairo made the Opening Day roster.
On December 8. 2010, as a free agent, Cairo signed a 2 year deal with the Cincinnati Reds
. It was the first multi-year contract of his career.
where he hit 2 home runs in a game that the Reds won 13-1.
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...
utility player who is currently with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He has mostly played second base during his career, but has played every position in baseball except catcher
Catcher
Catcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
and 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...
. He currently plays mostly third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
, in place of Scott Rolen
Scott Rolen
Scott Bruce Rolen is a Major League Baseball third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He is an eight-time Gold Glove winner and seven-time All-Star.-Philadelphia Phillies:...
during his off days/when he is on the DL. His batter walkup song is Sex on Fire
Sex on Fire
"Sex on Fire" is the first single to be taken from Kings of Leon's fourth studio album Only by the Night and as of September 2009, the second most-downloaded digital single ever in the United Kingdom...
by Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon
Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion, Oklahoma but formed in Nashville, Tennessee in 1999. The band is composed of brothers Anthony Caleb Followill , Ivan Nathan Followill and Michael Jared Followill Kings of Leon is an American rock band that originated in Albion,...
.
Playing career
Cairo was signed as an undrafted free agent by the Los Angeles DodgersLos 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...
in 1990. In November 1995, the Dodgers traded Cairo with Willis Otañez
Willis Otañez
Willis Alexander Otáñez is a former infielder in Major League Baseball. He currently plays for the Broncos de Reynosa of the Mexican League...
to the Seattle Mariners
Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
for Mike Blowers
Mike Blowers
Michael Roy Blowers is a former Major League Baseball third baseman and first baseman. He is an alumnus of Bethel High School in Spanaway, Washington, Tacoma Community College and the University of Washington...
, who then traded Cairo with Bill Risley
Bill Risley
William Charles Risley , is a former professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the Montreal Expos, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners....
to 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 ....
for Edwin Hurtado
Edwin Hurtado
Edwin Amilgar Hurtado [oor-TAH-doh] is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played with the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners and who is currently coaching in the Mexican Triple-A League for the Quintana Roo Tigres.In a three-season major league career, Hurtado...
and Paul Menhart
Paul Menhart
Paul Gerard Menhart is a former pitcher for several teams in Major League Baseball.He attended Western Carolina University. In , he played for the Toronto Blue Jays; the following year, he moved to the Seattle Mariners; and in , he played for the San Diego Padres.-Sources:...
in December 1995.
Cairo made his major league debut with the Toronto Blue Jays on April 17, 1996 as the starting 2nd baseman wearing #3. During the offseason, he was traded to the 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...
.
The Tampa Bay Devil Rays
Tampa Bay Rays
The Tampa Bay Rays are a Major League Baseball team based in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Rays are a member of the Eastern Division of MLB's American League. Since their inception in , the club has played at Tropicana Field...
selected Cairo with the eighth pick in the 1997 MLB expansion draft
1997 MLB Expansion Draft
The 1997 Major League Baseball expansion draft was conducted by Major League Baseball on November 18, 1997 in the Phoenix Civic Center to stock the major league rosters of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks, new major league expansion franchises that were set to start play in the...
. He is the sole remaining active player from the 1998 Devil Rays opening day roster.
Cairo signed with 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....
during the 2000-01 offseason, but in March 2001 he was traded to the Cubs for Eric Hinske
Eric Hinske
Eric Scott Hinske is a Major League Baseball outfielder, first baseman, and third baseman currently an Atlanta Braves organization...
. In August 2001, the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
claimed Cairo on waivers from the Cubs.
2004-2006
Cairo signed with the Yankees during the 2003-04 offseason.In 2004, Cairo won the second base job with the New York Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
after starting the year in a platoon with Enrique Wilson
Enrique Wilson
Enrique Wilson Marte is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He batted switch and threw right-handed....
. Cairo led the league in percentage of productive outs in 2005 for players with a minimum of 40 at-bats. Cairo recorded 17 productive outs in 32 productive out situations, for a PO% of 0.531. Cairo had the highest winning percentage
Winning percentage
In sports, a winning percentage is the fraction of games or matches a team or individual has won. It is defined as wins divided by wins plus losses . Ties count as a ½ loss and a ½ win...
of team wins when he played in a game of any player in the majors in 2005 (for players with over 100 games played). However, the Yankees declined to offer him a contract for 2005 and signed Tony Womack
Tony Womack
Anthony Darrell Womack is a former second baseman and shortstop in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Arizona Diamondbacks, then with several other teams during his last four years...
as their new second baseman. Cairo was signed by the New York Mets
New York Mets
The New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
as a free agent
Free agent
In professional sports, a free agent is a player whose contract with a team has expired and who is thus eligible to sign with another club or franchise....
before the 2005 season, only to return to the Yankees as a free agent in the 2006 season.
2007
On August 7, 2007, the Yankees designated Cairo for assignment in order to make room on the 40-man roster for Jason GiambiJason 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...
. He was released on August 15. On August 19, 2007, the St. Louis Cardinals
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
signed Cairo to a minor league contract, with him reporting to Triple-A Memphis on August 22. On September 1, 2007, the Cardinals activated him and brought him up to start at second base in a game against the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. He became a free agent after the season.
2008 season
On January 8, 2008, he signed a one-year contract with the Seattle MarinersSeattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
.
In the early season, Cairo was seldom used losing his playing time to teammate Willie Bloomquist
Willie Bloomquist
William Paul Bloomquist is a Major League Baseball utility player. He has played every position, aside from either of the battery positions, during his MLB career....
and Greg Norton. Norton was soon traded to the Atlanta Braves
Atlanta 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....
and with outfield
Outfield
The outfield is a sporting term used in cricket and baseball to refer to the area of the field of play further from the batsman or batter than the infield...
trouble, the Mariners started a platoon with Bloomquist and Jeremy Reed
Jeremy Reed
Jeremy Thomas Reed is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Reed graduated from Bonita High School in 1999, and went on to play college baseball at Long Beach State University...
in center field this allowed Cairo to be a back-up for struggling first baseman
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...
Richie Sexson
Richie Sexson
Richmond Lockwood "Big Sexy" Sexson is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played for five teams from 1997 to 2008...
.
On July 10, the Mariners released Sexson and Cairo assumed the role of full time first basemen for a few days until Bryan LaHair
Bryan LaHair
Bryan Allan LaHair is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Chicago Cubs. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.-Before the majors:...
was finished ailing a sore toe. For the rest of the season, Cairo played most of his time at first base in a platoon with left-handed
Left-handed
Left-handedness is the preference for the left hand over the right for everyday activities such as writing. In ancient times it was seen as a sign of the devil, and was abhorred in many cultures...
hitting LaHair. He got the rare start at the other infield positions when the starters had an off day.
2009 season
On February 15, 2009, Cairo signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Philadelphia Phillies. On May 19, 2009, the Phillies outrighted Cairo to the AAA Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs.Cairo was sent back up to the Phillies on August 23 after they placed Greg Dobbs
Greg Dobbs
Gregory Stuart Dobbs is a Major League Baseball infielder. Dobbs is primarily a third baseman, but can also field the corner outfield positions and first base.-Early career:...
on the 15 day DL. He returned to the utility infield position, and was retained by the club through the remainder of the regular season. His performance during this stint, including several key hits, led to his inclusion in the division-winning team's post-season roster.
2010 season
On January 27. 2010, Cairo signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. On April 2, 2010, Cairo made the Opening Day roster.
On December 8. 2010, as a free agent, Cairo signed a 2 year deal with the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. It was the first multi-year contract of his career.
2011 season
Cairo had his first multi-home run game of his career on August 13, vs the San Diego PadresSan Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
where he hit 2 home runs in a game that the Reds won 13-1.