Nick Markakis
Encyclopedia
Nicholas William Markakis (born November 17, 1983 in Glen Cove, New York
) is a Major League Baseball
right fielder
for the Baltimore Orioles
. Of Greek and German descent , Markakis is known for his arm strength, stellar right field defense and smooth hitting.
with his family, which includes his parents, Dennis and Mary Lou and his brothers Dennis, Greg and Michael (also an alumnus of Young Harris College
).
, Markakis played as both an outfielder and a pitcher, hitting .439 with 21 home run
s and 92 RBIs, while also gathering a 12–0 win–loss record as a pitcher with 1 save and a 1.68 earned run average
in 15 games. He was twice named Georgia Junior College Player of the Year and was awareded Baseball America's 2002 National JUCO Player of the Year.
In August 2003, he played in the European National Championships, winning a silver medal
with Team Greece. He also played for the Greek Olympic baseball team in the 2004 Olympic Games
in Athens, Greece.
by the Cincinnati Reds
, from Woodstock High School
in Woodstock, Georgia
but decided to attend Young Harris College
instead. The Reds drafted him again in 2002
, but he returned to Young Harris.
He was the Orioles' first-round draft pick, seventh overall in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
. Owning a fastball that was clocked as high as 96 miles per hour, Nick was widely viewed as a pitching prospect but the Orioles preferred his potential as a hitter.
and then the Delmarva Shorebirds
in 2004, where he hit .299, 11 homers and led the team with 64 RBI despite missing the last month of the season playing for Greece in the Olympics.
In 2005, Markakis started the year with the Frederick Keys
and was named the top Orioles prospect by Baseball America
. He won the Carolina/California League All-Star Game Home Run Derby, and followed that up by being named MVP of the All-Star game after hitting two homers. He was promoted a short time later to the Bowie Baysox
and was ultimately named to the Second Team in the 2005 Minor League All-Star Roster. He also received the Brooks Robinson
Award as the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year.
with the Orioles in 2006, and immediately established himself by reaching base 9 out of his first 10 plate appearances. He eventually earned an Opening Day
roster spot.
. He received his first start and plate appearances two days later. Hitting second and playing left field, he drew three walks in his first three plate appearances and hit a 400 foot home run for his first major league hit in the 16–6 win.
On August 22, 2006, Markakis went 3 for 4 with 3 home runs in an Orioles 6–3 win at Camden Yards. Not only was it his first three-home run game, became the 18th Oriole to do so and the first since . The feat prompted a curtain call from the dugout, earning him a feat that The Washington Post
called "an ovation that is rarely seen in these parts anymore. Curtain calls are for Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park
, not Camden Yards
."
Markakis finished his rookie season with a .291 average, 16 homers, 62 RBI and 2 stolen bases. On defense, he put up impressive stats in defensive ratings such as range factor
and fielding percentage
, ranking second among major league right fielders.
as the starting right fielder.
He finished the season with a .300 average, 23 home runs, 112 RBI and 18 stolen bases.
He was 3rd in the AL in games played (161), 7th in at-bats (637), 6th in doubles (43), 7th in hits (191), 8th in RBIs (112) and 3rd in grounding into double plays (22).
Markakis also continued to play good defense as finished 5th in the league with 13 assists, 6th with a .994 fielding percentage. He was charged with just 2 errors in 318 total chances.
At the end of the season, Markakis could not agree to a contract extension with the Orioles and his contract was automatically renewed for another year at the baseline value of $455,000. He became eligible for arbitration after the 2008 season, and in the absence of a contract extension, would have become a free agent in 2011.
as the team's
#3 hitter and starting right fielder. He played well early in the year, but as the season went into the summer months, Orioles manager Dave Trembley
opted to move him into the #2 hole, placing Melvin Mora
behind him.
Impressively, Markakis finished the season in the top 10 in the American League
in AVG, OBP, OPS, G, R, H, 2B, BB, *OPS+, RC (runs created). He also led the league in times on base. He raised his batting average to .306, slugged 20 home runs, hit 48 doubles (3rd in the major leagues), recorded 87 RBI, scored 106 runs and stole 10 bases on the season. He also had another stellar year in right field, notching 17 assists, which led the majors.
He finished the season with a .293 average, 18 home runs, 45 doubles (7th in the majors), 101 RBI, 94 runs and 6 stolen bases, in addition to being 4th in the majors with 14 outfield assists.
The couple lives year-round in Monkton, Maryland
, where Markakis purchased a home during the 2008 season.
', Prostate Cancer Foundation
, and the Home Run Challenge. Nick was also presented the Roberto Clemente Award
on September 2, 2009.
. “Christina and I have adopted Maryland as our new home and believe that establishing our Foundation is the most effective way to formalize our charitable efforts and have the greatest impact on children in Maryland,” stated Nick.
Christina and Nick explained that their love of children, and the birth of their son, Taylor, helped decide that the foundation would be based on helping children because they feel that every child deserves to enjoy promise and innocence. “Nick and I have always loved children. As new parents, we see great promise in our son and want to do our part to ensure that other children in Maryland have opportunities to grow and enjoy life," Christina explained.
Glen Cove, New York
Glen Cove is a city in Nassau County, New York on the North Shore of Long Island. As of the United States 2010 Census, the city population was 26,964....
) is a 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...
right fielder
Right fielder
A right fielder, abbreviated RF, is the outfielder in baseball or softball who plays defense in right field. Right field is the area of the outfield to the right of a person standing at home plate and facing towards the pitcher's mound...
for the Baltimore Orioles
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. Of Greek and German descent , Markakis is known for his arm strength, stellar right field defense and smooth hitting.
Early life
Markakis was born on Long Island, New York, but he later moved to Woodstock, GeorgiaWoodstock, Georgia
Woodstock is a city in Cherokee County, Georgia, United States. The population was 23,896 at the 2010 census.Originally a stop on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, Woodstock is now considered part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
with his family, which includes his parents, Dennis and Mary Lou and his brothers Dennis, Greg and Michael (also an alumnus of Young Harris College
Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private, Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college located in the mountains of northeast Georgia. The current president is Cathy Cox, former Georgia Secretary of State.-Origins:...
).
College/Olympic career
At Young Harris CollegeYoung Harris College
Young Harris College is a private, Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college located in the mountains of northeast Georgia. The current president is Cathy Cox, former Georgia Secretary of State.-Origins:...
, Markakis played as both an outfielder and a pitcher, hitting .439 with 21 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 92 RBIs, while also gathering a 12–0 win–loss record as a pitcher with 1 save and a 1.68 earned run average
Earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...
in 15 games. He was twice named Georgia Junior College Player of the Year and was awareded Baseball America's 2002 National JUCO Player of the Year.
In August 2003, he played in the European National Championships, winning a silver medal
Silver medal
A silver medal is a medal awarded to the second place finisher of contests such as the Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games, and contests with similar formats....
with Team Greece. He also played for the Greek Olympic baseball team in the 2004 Olympic Games
Baseball at the 2004 Summer Olympics
-Preliminary round:The top four teams advanced to the semifinals. To determine the seed ranking of teams tied in the standings, the result of the two teams' game against each other was used. Japan therefore received first place due to the win over Cuba. In the semi-finals, Japan played...
in Athens, Greece.
Draft
Markakis was originally drafted in 20012001 Major League Baseball Draft
-First Round Selections:-Supplemental First Round Selections:-Background:The Minnesota Twins selected St. Paul, MN native Joe Mauer with the number one pick in the 2001 draft. The 18-year-old Mauer, a catcher from Cretin-Derham Hall High School in St. Paul, became the seventh Minnesotan to be...
by 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....
, from Woodstock High School
Woodstock High School (Georgia)
Woodstock High School is a public high school located in Woodstock, Georgia. They currently educate grades 9-12. Its mascot is the Wolverine. It opened in 1996 with only a freshman and sophomore class. As each year progressed, a junior and senior class was filled by the original sophomores...
in Woodstock, Georgia
Woodstock, Georgia
Woodstock is a city in Cherokee County, Georgia, United States. The population was 23,896 at the 2010 census.Originally a stop on the Louisville and Nashville Railroad, Woodstock is now considered part of the Atlanta metropolitan area...
but decided to attend Young Harris College
Young Harris College
Young Harris College is a private, Methodist-affiliated liberal arts college located in the mountains of northeast Georgia. The current president is Cathy Cox, former Georgia Secretary of State.-Origins:...
instead. The Reds drafted him again in 2002
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:...
, but he returned to Young Harris.
He was the Orioles' first-round draft pick, seventh overall in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft
2003 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:...
. Owning a fastball that was clocked as high as 96 miles per hour, Nick was widely viewed as a pitching prospect but the Orioles preferred his potential as a hitter.
Minor league career
Nick spent his first year with the Aberdeen IronBirdsAberdeen IronBirds
The Aberdeen IronBirds are a Short-Season A classification affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The IronBirds play in the New York - Penn League and are based in Aberdeen, Maryland, which is in Harford County....
and then the Delmarva Shorebirds
Delmarva Shorebirds
The Delmarva Shorebirds are a minor league baseball team based in Salisbury, Maryland. They are one of three Single-A affiliates of the Baltimore Orioles and a member of the South Atlantic League. The Shorebirds play at Arthur W. Perdue Stadium.The "Shorebirds" name refers to the marine waterfowl...
in 2004, where he hit .299, 11 homers and led the team with 64 RBI despite missing the last month of the season playing for Greece in the Olympics.
In 2005, Markakis started the year with the Frederick Keys
Frederick Keys
The Frederick Keys minor league baseball team is the "High-A" class A baseball affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. The Keys are based in Frederick, Maryland. The franchise is named for Star Spangled Banner poet Francis Scott Key, a native of Frederick County. The team mascot is a coyote known as...
and was named the top Orioles prospect by 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...
. He won the Carolina/California League All-Star Game Home Run Derby, and followed that up by being named MVP of the All-Star game after hitting two homers. He was promoted a short time later to the Bowie Baysox
Bowie Baysox
The Bowie Baysox are a minor league baseball team located in Bowie, Maryland. They are the class-AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles, and play in the Eastern League...
and was ultimately named to the Second Team in the 2005 Minor League All-Star Roster. He also received the Brooks Robinson
Brooks Robinson
Brooks Calbert Robinson, Jr. is a former American professional baseball player. He played his entire 23-year major league career for the Baltimore Orioles . Nicknamed "The Human Vacuum Cleaner", he is generally acclaimed as the greatest defensive third-basemen in major league history...
Award as the organization’s Minor League Player of the Year.
Major league career
2006 offseason
Markakis began his first spring trainingSpring 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...
with the Orioles in 2006, and immediately established himself by reaching base 9 out of his first 10 plate appearances. He eventually earned an Opening Day
Opening Day
Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book...
roster spot.
2006 season
Markakis made his major league debut on April 3, 2006, when he was used as a late-inning defensive replacement against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays2006 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season
The 2006 Tampa Bay Devil Rays season was their ninth since the franchise was created. This season, they finished last in the AL East division, and managed to finish the season with a league-worst record of 61-101...
. He received his first start and plate appearances two days later. Hitting second and playing left field, he drew three walks in his first three plate appearances and hit a 400 foot home run for his first major league hit in the 16–6 win.
On August 22, 2006, Markakis went 3 for 4 with 3 home runs in an Orioles 6–3 win at Camden Yards. Not only was it his first three-home run game, became the 18th Oriole to do so and the first since . The feat prompted a curtain call from the dugout, earning him a feat that The Washington Post
The Washington Post
The Washington Post is Washington, D.C.'s largest newspaper and its oldest still-existing paper, founded in 1877. Located in the capital of the United States, The Post has a particular emphasis on national politics. D.C., Maryland, and Virginia editions are printed for daily circulation...
called "an ovation that is rarely seen in these parts anymore. Curtain calls are for Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
, not Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Oriole Park at Camden Yards is a Major League Baseball ballpark located in Baltimore, Maryland. Home field of the Baltimore Orioles, it is the first of the "retro" major league ballparks constructed during the 1990s and early 2000s, and remains one of the most highly praised. The park was...
."
Markakis finished his rookie season with a .291 average, 16 homers, 62 RBI and 2 stolen bases. On defense, he put up impressive stats in defensive ratings such as range factor
Range Factor
Range Factor is a baseball statistic developed by Bill James. It is calculated by dividing putouts and assists by number of innings or games played at a given defense position...
and fielding percentage
Fielding percentage
In baseball statistics, fielding percentage, also known as fielding average, is a measure that reflects the percentage of times a defensive player properly handles a batted or thrown ball...
, ranking second among major league right fielders.
2007 season
Markakis started the season2007 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles' 2007 season involved the Orioles finishing with a record of 69 wins and 93 losses and fourth place in the AL East. On June 18, 2007 manager Sam Perlozzo was fired and replaced with bullpen coach Dave Trembley as interim manager. Trembley was named full-time manager on August...
as the starting right fielder.
He finished the season with a .300 average, 23 home runs, 112 RBI and 18 stolen bases.
He was 3rd in the AL in games played (161), 7th in at-bats (637), 6th in doubles (43), 7th in hits (191), 8th in RBIs (112) and 3rd in grounding into double plays (22).
Markakis also continued to play good defense as finished 5th in the league with 13 assists, 6th with a .994 fielding percentage. He was charged with just 2 errors in 318 total chances.
At the end of the season, Markakis could not agree to a contract extension with the Orioles and his contract was automatically renewed for another year at the baseline value of $455,000. He became eligible for arbitration after the 2008 season, and in the absence of a contract extension, would have become a free agent in 2011.
2008 season
Markakis began the season2008 Major League Baseball season
The 2008 Major League Baseball season began on March 25, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan with the 2007 World Series champion Boston Red Sox defeating the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome 6–5 in the first game of a two-game series, and ended on September 30 with the host Chicago White Sox defeating the...
as the team's
2008 Baltimore Orioles season
The Baltimore Orioles entered the 2008 season led by Dave Trembley, now starting his first full season as manager. President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail continued the rebuilding process...
#3 hitter and starting right fielder. He played well early in the year, but as the season went into the summer months, Orioles manager Dave Trembley
Dave Trembley
David Michael Trembley is a former manager of the Baltimore Orioles. Before managing the Orioles Trembley was a minor league manager for twenty seasons compiling a 1369–1413 record. He won two league titles and earned Manager of the Year awards in three leagues...
opted to move him into the #2 hole, placing Melvin Mora
Melvin Mora
Melvin Mora , affectionately nicknamed Melmo or Melvy, is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder who is a free agent...
behind him.
Impressively, Markakis finished the season in the top 10 in the American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
in AVG, OBP, OPS, G, R, H, 2B, BB, *OPS+, RC (runs created). He also led the league in times on base. He raised his batting average to .306, slugged 20 home runs, hit 48 doubles (3rd in the major leagues), recorded 87 RBI, scored 106 runs and stole 10 bases on the season. He also had another stellar year in right field, notching 17 assists, which led the majors.
2009 season
Markakis signed a 6-year, $66.1 million extension through 2014 on January 22, 2009. Markakis has also been honored with his very own shirt this season called "Nick the Stick, Camden's Finest."He finished the season with a .293 average, 18 home runs, 45 doubles (7th in the majors), 101 RBI, 94 runs and 6 stolen bases, in addition to being 4th in the majors with 14 outfield assists.
2010 season
Markakis had a stellar 2010 season with the Orioles. He finished with a respectable .297 average, recording 45 doubles (5th in the majors), 60 RBI, 79 runs and 7 stolen bases.Personal life
Markakis and his wife, Christina, had their first child on March 11, 2009. A baby boy, Taylor Jason Markakis, weighed in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce. Christina gave birth to the couple's second child, Tucker Edward, weighing in at 7 pounds, 1 ounce, on May 27, 2010.The couple lives year-round in Monkton, Maryland
Monkton, Maryland
Monkton is an unincorporated community in northern Baltimore County, Maryland, United States. It has a population of about 4,856 people. It is in area, with approximately...
, where Markakis purchased a home during the 2008 season.
Charity work
He has decided to donate 75,000 dollars per season towards the funds. His other outreach activities involve 'Going to Bat Against Breast CancerPink bat
In baseball, pink bats are limited-supply baseball bats manufactured by Louisville Slugger for use by select Major League Baseball players on Mother's Day, first introduced in 2006 in association with the Susan G. Komen for the Cure organization...
', Prostate Cancer Foundation
Prostate Cancer Foundation
The Prostate Cancer Foundation , formerly known as CaP CURE, is the world’s largest philanthropic source of support for prostate cancer research. PCF was founded in 1993 in order to discover better treatments and a cure for prostate cancer...
, and the Home Run Challenge. Nick was also presented the Roberto Clemente Award
Roberto Clemente Award
The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team", as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It is named for Hall of Fame...
on September 2, 2009.
Right Side Foundation
The Right Side Foundation was started by Nick and his wife Christina on May 28, 2009. The foundation was created to help distressed children, whether they are disadvantaged, sick, lonely, or grieving throughout MarylandMaryland
Maryland is a U.S. state located in the Mid Atlantic region of the United States, bordering Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia to its south and west; Pennsylvania to its north; and Delaware to its east...
. “Christina and I have adopted Maryland as our new home and believe that establishing our Foundation is the most effective way to formalize our charitable efforts and have the greatest impact on children in Maryland,” stated Nick.
Christina and Nick explained that their love of children, and the birth of their son, Taylor, helped decide that the foundation would be based on helping children because they feel that every child deserves to enjoy promise and innocence. “Nick and I have always loved children. As new parents, we see great promise in our son and want to do our part to ensure that other children in Maryland have opportunities to grow and enjoy life," Christina explained.