Todd Zeile
Encyclopedia
Todd Edward Zeile is a former catcher
, third baseman
, and first baseman
in Major League Baseball
who played from 1989
to . After graduating from UCLA, where he played as a catcher
, Zeile played for 11 Major League teams during his career: the St. Louis Cardinals
(1989–1995), Chicago Cubs
(1995), Philadelphia Phillies
(1996), Baltimore Orioles
(1996), Los Angeles Dodgers
(1997–1998), Florida Marlins
(1998), Texas Rangers
(1998–1999), New York Mets
(2000–2001, 2004), Colorado Rockies
(2002), New York Yankees
(2003) and Montreal Expos
(2003).
. He broke into the majors in 1989 as a catcher and the Cardinals' most anticipated prospect of the year. Cardinals manager Joe Torre
wanted to make room for catcher Tom Pagnozzi
and believed Zeile would be a more productive hitter and would have a longer career if he moved from behind the plate, so Zeile moved, with some reluctance, initially to first base and then to third base in .
to the Florida Marlins
along with Mike Piazza
in 1998 for five players. He then signed a contract with the New York Mets
rejoining Piazza and he finished his career moving to first base for the Mets in , who wanted him to replace John Olerud
.
In , Zeile was part of a historic Rangers team. Along with Gregg Zaun
and Jeff Zimmerman
, he was one of three players on the team whose last names began with "Z". Not since the Chicago Cubs
had this occurred (Heinie Zimmerman
, Dutch Zwilling
, and Rollie Zeider
).
He led all NL third basemen in errors in 2002, with 21, when he had the lowest fielding percentage in the league (.942).
Zeile retired following the season. Having planned his retirement in advance (and with the Mets well out of the playoff race), Mets manager Art Howe
let Zeile once again start as a catcher
, his original position, on September 18, 2004. It was Zeile's first appearance there in 14 years. It was the second-longest span ever between appearances at the position. Gabby Street
caught a game in after last having caught in . Zeile's span is now the third longest, since Craig Biggio
started the final game of his career at catcher after a 16 year span.
Zeile got one final start as a catcher two weeks later on October 3, 2004 in the season's final game. In the 6th inning, in his final at-bat as a Major Leaguer, Zeile hit a 3-run home run
off Montreal Expos
pitcher Claudio Vargas
. In his final play as a Major Leaguer, Ryan Church popped up to him, as a catcher, in foul territory.
Both games Zeile caught in his final season were started by Tom Glavine
.
He also pitched an inning with the Mets when they didn't have any pitchers left.
, during his stint with the Mets. He appeared in the following:
He was also executive producer of Dirty Deeds and a producer of I AM.
, which he did on October 3, 2004 as a New York Met.
Led all MLB players in errors for the decade of the 1990s.
Zeile's final home run also made him the last person ever to hit a home run
off a Montreal Expos
pitcher. Following that game, which was the last of the season, the Expos moved to Washington, D.C.
and became the Washington Nationals
.
, the first American gymnast to earn a perfect 10.0 at the Olympics. They have four children.
He attended William S. Hart High School in Newhall, California
, where he was an outstanding student and athlete.
Todd is a descendant of John Adams
, the second President
of the United States.
Todd owns a Citation X
jet.
Zeile has the most home runs in Major League history for players whose last name begin with the letter Z.
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...
, third baseman
Third baseman
A third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
, and 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...
in 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...
who played from 1989
1989 in sports
1989 in sports describes the year's events in world sport.-Alpine skiing:* Alpine Skiing World Cup** Men's overall season champion: Marc Girardelli, Luxembourg** Women's overall season champion: Vreni Schneider, Switzerland-American football:...
to . After graduating from UCLA, where he played as a 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...
, Zeile played for 11 Major League teams during his career: 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...
(1989–1995), 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...
(1995), 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...
(1996), 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...
(1996), 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...
(1997–1998), Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
(1998), Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
(1998–1999), 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...
(2000–2001, 2004), 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...
(2002), 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...
(2003) and Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
(2003).
Early life and career
Zeile was born in Van Nuys, CaliforniaVan Nuys, Los Angeles, California
Van Nuys is a neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California.-History:Look at the two photos of Van Nuys' first year—and then listen to what the Los Angeles Times wrote on February 23, 1911, the day after the Van Nuys town lot auction--"Between dawn and dusk, in the...
. He broke into the majors in 1989 as a catcher and the Cardinals' most anticipated prospect of the year. Cardinals manager Joe Torre
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre is a former American professional baseball player and manager who currently serves as Major League Baseball’s Executive Vice President of Baseball Operations. A nine-time All-Star, he played in Major League Baseball as a catcher, first baseman and a third baseman for the...
wanted to make room for catcher Tom Pagnozzi
Tom Pagnozzi
Thomas Alan Pagnozzi is a former Major League Baseball player for the St. Louis Cardinals. Primarily a catcher, Pagnozzi also made 40 appearances at first base and seven appearances at third base during his 12-season career, which spanned from 1987 to 1998.Initially a backup catcher and utility...
and believed Zeile would be a more productive hitter and would have a longer career if he moved from behind the plate, so Zeile moved, with some reluctance, initially to first base and then to third base in .
Middle career
Zeile spent most of the 1990s as a third baseman. He was traded from 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...
to the Florida Marlins
Florida Marlins
The Miami Marlins are a professional baseball team based in Miami, Florida, United States. Established in 1993 as an expansion franchise called the Florida Marlins, the Marlins are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Marlins played their home games at...
along with Mike Piazza
Mike Piazza
Michael Joseph "Mike" Piazza ; born September 4, 1968) is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. He played in his career with the Los Angeles Dodgers, Florida Marlins, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and the Oakland Athletics....
in 1998 for five players. He then signed a contract with 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...
rejoining Piazza and he finished his career moving to first base for the Mets in , who wanted him to replace John Olerud
John Olerud
John Garrett Olerud , is a former American first baseman in Major League Baseball. Olerud played with the Toronto Blue Jays , New York Mets , Seattle Mariners , New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox ....
.
In , Zeile was part of a historic Rangers team. Along with Gregg Zaun
Gregg Zaun
Gregory Owen "Gregg" Zaun is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He is the nephew of former MLB catcher Rick Dempsey. Zaun was a high school teammate of Mark Loretta...
and Jeff Zimmerman
Jeff Zimmerman
Jeffrey Ross Zimmerman is a former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in Major League Baseball from 1999-2001 for the Texas Rangers.-Independent baseball:...
, he was one of three players on the team whose last names began with "Z". Not since 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...
had this occurred (Heinie Zimmerman
Heinie Zimmerman
Henry Zimmerman , known as "Heinie" or "The Great Zim," was a Major League Baseball player in the early 20th century. Zimmerman played for the Chicago Cubs and New York Giants...
, Dutch Zwilling
Dutch Zwilling
Edward Harrison "Dutch" Zwilling , was a professional baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from -...
, and Rollie Zeider
Rollie Zeider
Rollie Hubert Zeider was a Major League Baseball infielder for the Chicago White Sox , New York Yankees , Chicago Chi-Feds/Chicago Whales in the Federal League from -, and lastly the Chicago Cubs...
).
He led all NL third basemen in errors in 2002, with 21, when he had the lowest fielding percentage in the league (.942).
End of career
After a season with Colorado in 2002, Zeile signed with the Yankees in 2003. He was released mid-August and was signed by Montreal 3 days later. Having decided 2004 to be his last season, Zeile signed once again with the New York Mets. He also voiced displeasure with the Yankees, saying that he has "no desire to play again for that organization," and that "I think some of the things that happen over there are different than any other organization in baseball. I have a pretty good track record to judge that."Zeile retired following the season. Having planned his retirement in advance (and with the Mets well out of the playoff race), Mets manager Art Howe
Art Howe
Arthur Henry Howe Jr. is a former Major League Baseball infielder, coach, scout and manager. He is an alumnus of the University of Wyoming...
let Zeile once again start as a 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...
, his original position, on September 18, 2004. It was Zeile's first appearance there in 14 years. It was the second-longest span ever between appearances at the position. Gabby Street
Gabby Street
Charles Evard “Gabby” Street , also nicknamed "The Old Sarge", was an American catcher, manager, coach and radio broadcaster in Major League Baseball during the first half of the 20th century. As a catcher, he participated in one of the most publicized baseball stunts of the century's first decade....
caught a game in after last having caught in . Zeile's span is now the third longest, since Craig Biggio
Craig Biggio
Craig Alan Biggio is a former Major League Baseball second baseman, catcher, and outfielder. He played his entire 20-year baseball career with the Houston Astros . He ranks 21st all-time with 3,060 career hits, and is the ninth player in the 3000 hit club to get all his hits with the same team. He...
started the final game of his career at catcher after a 16 year span.
Zeile got one final start as a catcher two weeks later on October 3, 2004 in the season's final game. In the 6th inning, in his final at-bat as a Major Leaguer, Zeile hit a 3-run 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...
off Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
pitcher Claudio Vargas
Claudio Vargas
Claudio Vargas Almonte is a former Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Montreal Expos/Washington Nationals, Arizona Diamondbacks, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Mets, and Los Angeles Dodgers...
. In his final play as a Major Leaguer, Ryan Church popped up to him, as a catcher, in foul territory.
Both games Zeile caught in his final season were started by Tom Glavine
Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher.With 164 victories during the 1990s, Glavine was the second winningest pitcher in the National League, second only to teammate Greg Maddux's 176...
.
He also pitched an inning with the Mets when they didn't have any pitchers left.
Film work
Since retiring from Major League Baseball, Zeile has pursued two other passions: film production, and acting. He founded Green Diamond Entertainment, a film production company in West Hollywood, CaliforniaWest Hollywood, California
West Hollywood, a city of Los Angeles County, California, was incorporated on November 29, 1984, with a population of 34,399 at the 2010 census. 41% of the city's population is made up of gay men according to a 2002 demographic analysis by Sara Kocher Consulting for the City of West Hollywood...
, during his stint with the Mets. He appeared in the following:
- Dirty DeedsDirty Deeds (2005 film)Dirty Deeds is a 2005 American comedy film directed by David Kendall, produced by Bill Civitella and Dan Kaplow; written by Jon Land and Jonathan Thies...
(movie, 2005 - produced by Green Diamond Entertainment) - The King of QueensThe King of QueensThe King of Queens is an American sitcom that originally ran on CBS from September 21, 1998, to May 14, 2007.This show was produced by Hanley Productions and CBS Productions , CBS Paramount Television ,and CBS Television Studios in association with Columbia TriStar Television , and Sony Pictures...
(television series, 2005–2006, two episodes) - Liquid: Live at Five (video, 2007)
- Liquid: Money Talks (video, 2008)
- Liquid: The Ten, Volume One (video, 2008)
- I AM (movie, 2010)
He was also executive producer of Dirty Deeds and a producer of I AM.
Other work
Zeile hit at least one home run for each of the 11 teams he played for over the course of his career, distinguishing him as the one player in major league history to have hit a home run for over 10 teams. He is also one of 41 players ever to hit a home run in his final at-batHome run in final at-bat
A home run is a play in the sport of baseball.Paul Gillespie and John Miller are the only players in MLB history to hit home runs in their first and last big league at bats.-Key:-Players who hit home runs in their final at bat:-See also:...
, which he did on October 3, 2004 as a New York Met.
Led all MLB players in errors for the decade of the 1990s.
Zeile's final home run also made him the last person ever to hit a 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...
off a Montreal Expos
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
pitcher. Following that game, which was the last of the season, the Expos moved to Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
and became the Washington Nationals
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are a professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C. The Nationals are a member of the Eastern Division of the National League of Major League Baseball . The team moved into the newly built Nationals Park in 2008, after playing their first three seasons in RFK Stadium...
.
Personal life
Zeile is married to Olympic champion, Julianne McNamaraJulianne McNamara
Julianne Lyn McNamara was an American artistic gymnast, who was born to Australian parents. She was the winner of the U.S. women's first individual event gold medal in Olympic history....
, the first American gymnast to earn a perfect 10.0 at the Olympics. They have four children.
He attended William S. Hart High School in Newhall, California
Newhall, California
Newhall is the southernmost and oldest district of Santa Clarita, California. Prior to the 1987 consolidation of Valencia, Canyon Country, Saugus, Newhall, and other geographically proximate settlements into the conglomerate city of Santa Clarita, it was an independent but unincorporated town...
, where he was an outstanding student and athlete.
Todd is a descendant of John Adams
John Adams
John Adams was an American lawyer, statesman, diplomat and political theorist. A leading champion of independence in 1776, he was the second President of the United States...
, the second President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
of the United States.
Todd owns a Citation X
Cessna Citation X
The Cessna Citation X is a long-range medium business jet aircraft. The Citation X is powered by two Rolls-Royce turbofan engines and is built by the Cessna Aircraft Company in Wichita, Kansas. It is the fastest production civilian jet in the world. The Citation brand of business jets encompasses...
jet.
Zeile has the most home runs in Major League history for players whose last name begin with the letter Z.
Achievements
- 2004 career hitsHit (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....
(244th in history) - 253 home runHome runIn 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 (tied for 189th) - 1110 career RBI
- 11 straight seasons of 10 or more home runs
- 4 post-season home runs
See also
- List of top 300 Major League Baseball home run hitters
- List of major league players with 2,000 hits
- List of Major League Baseball players with 1000 RBI