Skip Schumaker
Encyclopedia
Jared Michael "Skip" Schumaker (born February 3, 1980 in Torrance, California
) is a Major League Baseball
Outfielder
and Second Baseman
for the St. Louis Cardinals
.
before a short, two-year career at the University of California, Santa Barbara
where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. In , his only year with regular playing time, Schumaker had 100 total hits for a batting average
of an even .400, while achieving 41 RBI
. During this year, he was selected in the 5th round of the amateur draft by the Cardinals, and elected not to return to college for a final year.
Schumaker spent the remainder of 2001 with the short-season New Jersey Cardinals
, and in he had 158 hits for the Potomac Cannons. His minor-league career advanced from Single-A in , when he was promoted to the Tennessee Smokies
, where he spent two full seasons. A .316 batting average in was enough to give him a shot with the Cardinals during spring training
in .
After spending the first two months of the season in Memphis, Schumaker made his major-league debut on June 8 against the Boston Red Sox
at Busch Stadium. Schumaker entered the game as a pinch-hitter for the pitcher
, Chris Carpenter
, and was struck out
by David Wells
. Schumaker remained with the club until June 14, failing to pick up a hit in five at bat
s.
Schumaker was given a second spell in St. Louis on injury cover on August 10, and picked up his first major-league hit
two days later in a pinch-hit appearance against the Chicago Cubs
. He returned to Memphis following the August 14 game, with one hit in his eight games as a major-league hitter. On September 8, 2005, Schumaker went over into the stands and made a great catch. Schumaker hit his first Major League home run
on April 5, 2006, in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies
. He played in 28 regular-season games in 2006 for St. Louis, but did not appear in the postseason (the Cardinals went on to win the World Series that year).
Schumaker is a capable lead-off hitter and a very strong defensive outfielder with an above-average arm. However, he has difficulty against lefthanders; from 2007 to 2009, he had a .210 batting average
, a .278 on-base percentage, and a .226 slugging percentage against them. He had six hits in seven at bats against the New York Mets
on July 26, the first Cardinal to do so since Terry Moore
against the Boston Braves
on September 5, 1935. Combined, Schumaker and his teammate, Albert Pujols
, were the first pair of Cardinals to hit five or more hits each since Charlie Gelbert
and Taylor Douthit
against the Chicago Cubs
on May 16, 1930.
On February 9, 2009, Cardinal 2nd baseman Adam Kennedy
was released by the club, which sparked discussion about placing Schumaker as the regular second baseman
in 2009. Schumaker, who played shortstop
in high school and college began working out with Cardinals third base
coach Jose Oquendo
in Spring Training
to prepare. Mark McGwire
has served as his hitting coach since the 2009 offseason. Schumaker would go on to become the Cardinals' starting second baseman during the 2009 season.
On February 8, 2010, Schumaker signed a two-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals worth $4.7 million, buying out his final arbitration years.
On August 9, 2010, Schumaker hit his first major league grand slam
against the Cincinnati Reds
.
On August 24, 2011, Schumaker made his major league pitching debut when he came in as a reliever in the top of the 9th. He faced 5 batters, striking out 2, walking 1, and giving up a 2 run home run to Aaron Miles
.
After a great performance in the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies
, Schumaker was left off the National League Championship Series roster due to a oblique injury.
Schumaker resides in Huntington Beach, California
. He and his wife, Lindsey, have a son, Brody Hudson and a daughter Presley Rowan.
Torrance, California
Torrance is a city incorporated in 1921 and located in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Torrance has of shore-front beaches on the Pacific Ocean, quieter and less well-known by tourists than others on the Santa Monica Bay, such as those of neighboring...
) 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...
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...
and Second Baseman
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...
for 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...
.
Biography
Schumaker graduated from Aliso Niguel High SchoolAliso Niguel High School
Aliso Niguel High School is a high school located in the city of Aliso Viejo, California, U.S. Most of its students reside in the communities of Aliso Viejo and Laguna Niguel. The school is a California Distinguished School, a National Blue Ribbon School, and a New American High School...
before a short, two-year career at the University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara
The University of California, Santa Barbara, commonly known as UCSB or UC Santa Barbara, is a public research university and one of the 10 general campuses of the University of California system. The main campus is located on a site in Goleta, California, from Santa Barbara and northwest of Los...
where he became a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. In , his only year with regular playing time, Schumaker had 100 total hits for a batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
of an even .400, while achieving 41 RBI
Run batted in
Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...
. During this year, he was selected in the 5th round of the amateur draft by the Cardinals, and elected not to return to college for a final year.
Schumaker spent the remainder of 2001 with the short-season New Jersey Cardinals
New Jersey Cardinals
The New Jersey Cardinals were a Short-Season A minor league baseball team affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals. They were a member of the New York - Penn League and played at Skylands Park in Augusta, New Jersey from 1994-2005.-History:...
, and in he had 158 hits for the Potomac Cannons. His minor-league career advanced from Single-A in , when he was promoted to the Tennessee Smokies
Tennessee Smokies
The Tennessee Smokies are a Minor League Baseball team based in the Knoxville, Tennessee metropolitan area. The team, which plays in the Southern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball as of the 2011 season...
, where he spent two full seasons. A .316 batting average in was enough to give him a shot with the Cardinals during 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...
in .
After spending the first two months of the season in Memphis, Schumaker made his major-league debut on June 8 against the Boston Red Sox
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
at Busch Stadium. Schumaker entered the game as a pinch-hitter for the 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...
, Chris Carpenter
Chris Carpenter
Christopher John Carpenter is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who has played for the St. Louis Cardinals since 2003, and is currently signed with the team until the 2011 season, with a club option for 2012.Carpenter was 22 years old and a highly-regarded prospect when he broke into the...
, and was struck out
Strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters....
by David Wells
David Wells
David Lee Wells , nicknamed "Boomer", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Wells was considered to be one of the game's better left-handed pitchers, especially during his years with the New York Yankees and the Toronto Blue Jays. He pitched the fifteenth perfect game in baseball history...
. Schumaker remained with the club until June 14, failing to pick up a hit in five at bat
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
s.
Schumaker was given a second spell in St. Louis on injury cover on August 10, and picked up his first major-league hit
Hit (baseball)
In baseball statistics, a hit , also called a base hit, is credited to a batter when the batter safely reaches first base after hitting the ball into fair territory, without the benefit of an error or a fielder's choice....
two days later in a pinch-hit appearance against 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...
. He returned to Memphis following the August 14 game, with one hit in his eight games as a major-league hitter. On September 8, 2005, Schumaker went over into the stands and made a great catch. Schumaker hit his first Major League 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...
on April 5, 2006, in a game against 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 played in 28 regular-season games in 2006 for St. Louis, but did not appear in the postseason (the Cardinals went on to win the World Series that year).
Schumaker is a capable lead-off hitter and a very strong defensive outfielder with an above-average arm. However, he has difficulty against lefthanders; from 2007 to 2009, he had a .210 batting average
Batting average
Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
, a .278 on-base percentage, and a .226 slugging percentage against them. He had six hits in seven at bats against 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...
on July 26, the first Cardinal to do so since Terry Moore
Terry Moore (baseball)
Terry Bluford Moore was a Major League Baseball center fielder. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1935–42 and 1946-48.-Playing career:...
against the Boston 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....
on September 5, 1935. Combined, Schumaker and his teammate, Albert Pujols
Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara , better known as Albert Pujols , is a Dominican-American professional baseball player, who is currently a free agent...
, were the first pair of Cardinals to hit five or more hits each since Charlie Gelbert
Charlie Gelbert
Charles Magnus Gelbert was a professional baseball player. He played all or part of ten seasons in Major League Baseball for the St...
and Taylor Douthit
Taylor Douthit
Taylor Lee Douthit , was a Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds from 1923 to 1933.-Career:...
against 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...
on May 16, 1930.
On February 9, 2009, Cardinal 2nd baseman Adam Kennedy
Adam Kennedy
Adam Thomas Kennedy is an American Major League Baseball second baseman who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He previously played for the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, Washington Nationals, Seattle Mariners and had two stints with the St. Louis Cardinals.-Early years:Kennedy...
was released by the club, which sparked discussion about placing Schumaker as the regular second baseman
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...
in 2009. Schumaker, who played 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...
in high school and college began working out with Cardinals third base
Third Base
is a 1978 Japanese film directed by Yōichi Higashi.-External links:...
coach Jose Oquendo
José Oquendo
José Manuel Roberto Guillermo Oquendo Contreras is a former Major League Baseball infielder and the current third base coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...
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...
to prepare. Mark McGwire
Mark McGwire
Mark David McGwire , nicknamed "Big Mac", is an American former professional baseball player who played his major league career with the Oakland Athletics and the St. Louis Cardinals. He is currently the hitting coach for the St...
has served as his hitting coach since the 2009 offseason. Schumaker would go on to become the Cardinals' starting second baseman during the 2009 season.
On February 8, 2010, Schumaker signed a two-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals worth $4.7 million, buying out his final arbitration years.
On August 9, 2010, Schumaker hit his first major league grand slam
Grand slam (baseball)
In the sport of baseball, a grand slam is a home run hit with all three bases occupied by baserunners , thereby scoring four runs—the most possible in one play. According to The Dickson Baseball Dictionary, the term originated in the card game of contract bridge, in which a grand slam involves...
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....
.
On August 24, 2011, Schumaker made his major league pitching debut when he came in as a reliever in the top of the 9th. He faced 5 batters, striking out 2, walking 1, and giving up a 2 run home run to Aaron Miles
Aaron Miles
Aaron Wade Miles is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently a free agent.-Houston Astros:Miles was originally drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 1995 amateur draft...
.
After a great performance in the NLDS against 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...
, Schumaker was left off the National League Championship Series roster due to a oblique injury.
Schumaker resides in Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach, California
Huntington Beach is a seaside city in Orange County in Southern California. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 189,992; making it the largest beach city in Orange County in terms of population...
. He and his wife, Lindsey, have a son, Brody Hudson and a daughter Presley Rowan.