Cameron Maybin facts for kids

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Cameron Maybin

Maybin with the Braves in 2015

Center fielder

Born: April 4, 1987 (age 38)
Asheville, North Carolina, U.S.

Batted: Right

Threw: Right

debut

August 17, 2007, for the Detroit Tigers

Last appearance

May 29, 2021, for the New York Mets

MLB statistics

Batting average

.254

Home runs

Runs batted in

354

Teams

Detroit Tigers (2007)
Florida Marlins (2008–2010)
San Diego Padres (2011–2014)
Atlanta Braves (2015)
Detroit Tigers (2016)
Los Angeles Angels (2017)
Houston Astros (2017)
Miami Marlins (2018)
Seattle Mariners (2018)
New York Yankees (2019)
Detroit Tigers (2020)
Chicago Cubs (2020)
New York Mets (2021)

Career highlights and awards

World Series champion (2017)

Cameron Keith Maybin (born April 4, 1987) is an American baseball broadcaster and former center fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for many teams. These included the Detroit Tigers, Miami Marlins, San Diego Padres, and New York Yankees. He was picked tenth overall in the 2005 MLB draft by the Tigers. Maybin made his big league debut with them in 2007. He won the 2017 World Series with the Houston Astros.

Early Life and Baseball Beginnings

Cameron Maybin played high school baseball in Asheville, North Carolina. As a freshman, he helped his team win a state championship. He was even named the tournament's most valuable player. His coach, Joe Hayden, said Maybin had amazing skills. He compared him to baseball legend Ken Griffey Jr.. Before his senior year, Maybin won a batting title. He also earned the 2004 Connie Mack World Series MVP award. Baseball America magazine named him their Youth Player of the Year in 2004.

Professional Baseball Career

Getting Drafted and Playing in the Minors

Before the 2005 MLB draft, experts thought Maybin was a top outfield prospect. The Detroit Tigers picked him tenth overall. He signed a contract in September 2005.

In 2006, Maybin played his first professional season. He helped the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps win a championship. He had a great batting average of .304. He also hit nine home runs and stole 27 bases. He was chosen to play in the All-Star Futures Game.

Maybin was always seen as a top young player for the Tigers. He played in different minor league levels. He moved up from Single-A to Double-A in 2007.

Minor League Awards

Cameron Maybin earned many awards during his time in the minor leagues:

2× All-Star Futures Game selection
Southern League Player of the Week
Arizona Fall League Rising Stars
Southern League Mid-Season All-Star
Baseball America High Class A All-Star
Florida State League Postseason All-Star
Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star
MiLB.com Class A Best Playoff Performer
Baseball America Low Class A All-Star
Midwest League Postseason All-Star
Midwest League Prospect of the Year

First Time with the Detroit Tigers

Maybin was called up to the Tigers on August 17, 2007. He made his Major League debut that same day. He was the youngest player in the American League at 20 years old. In his second game, Maybin got his first career hit. It was a single. He also hit his first career home run in that game. Both came off famous pitcher Roger Clemens.

Playing for the Florida Marlins

Maybin with the Florida Marlins in 2010 spring training

In December 2007, the Tigers traded Maybin to the Florida Marlins. He was part of a big trade that brought Miguel Cabrera to Detroit. The Marlins called Maybin up in September 2008. He played very well, hitting .500 in 8 games. He also caught the final out at Shea Stadium, the old home of the New York Mets.

Maybin started as the Marlins' center fielder in 2009. He was sent back to the minor leagues for a while. He returned to the Marlins later that season. In 2010, he again started as the center fielder. He finished his last season with the Marlins hitting .234.

Time with the San Diego Padres

Maybin playing for the San Diego Padres in 2011

After the 2010 season, Maybin was traded to the San Diego Padres. In 2011, he became only the ninth Padres player to steal 40 bases. He hit .264 with nine home runs. His defense in center field was considered excellent. The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper called his trade "one of the best trades in Padres history."

In March 2012, Maybin signed a five-year contract with the Padres. He had a tough start to the 2012 season. However, he improved in the second half. He finished the year with a .243 batting average and 26 stolen bases.

Maybin missed most of the 2013 season due to injuries. He had problems with his right wrist and knee. He needed surgery on his wrist in September.

With the Atlanta Braves

Maybin with the Atlanta Braves in 2015

On April 5, 2015, Maybin was traded to the Atlanta Braves. During the 2015 season, Maybin played in 141 games. He hit .267 with 10 home runs and 59 RBIs. He also stole 23 bases, which was tenth best in the National League. He was very good at hitting when runners were in scoring position.

Second Time with the Detroit Tigers

Maybin batting for the Tigers

On November 20, 2015, the Braves traded Maybin back to the Detroit Tigers. In March 2016, Maybin broke his wrist during a spring training game. He was hit by a fast pitch. He returned to play in May 2016. Maybin was named the American League Co-Player of the Week in May. He hit very well in his first six games back with the Tigers.

On June 30, 2016, Maybin helped the Tigers win a dramatic game. They were losing 7–2 in the ninth inning. Maybin started a rally with a single. He later hit a three-run double to help the Tigers win 10–7.

Maybin had a great 2016 season, hitting .315. He also had 4 home runs and 15 stolen bases. However, injuries limited him to only 92 games.

Playing for the Los Angeles Angels

After the 2016 season, the Tigers traded Maybin to the Los Angeles Angels. The Angels decided to keep him for the 2017 season. In July 2017, Maybin was injured again. He sprained his right knee. He played in 93 games for the Angels. He hit .235 and stole 29 bases.

Winning the World Series with the Houston Astros

On August 31, 2017, the Houston Astros got Maybin from the Angels. In Game 2 of the 2017 World Series, Maybin came into the game as a pinch hitter. He got a hit and stole second base. He then scored a run on a George Springer home run. The Astros won that game. Houston went on to win the World Series in 7 games. This gave Maybin his first championship!

Second Time with the Miami Marlins

Maybin as a member of the Marlins in June 2018

On February 21, 2018, Maybin signed a one-year contract to return to the Marlins. He played in 251 games for them in 2018. He hit .251.

Short Stints with Other Teams

On July 31, 2018, Maybin was traded to the Seattle Mariners. He played 97 games for them. After the season, he became a free agent.

Maybin signed a minor league contract with the San Francisco Giants in February 2019. He was released by the Giants in March 2019. He then signed a minor league deal with the Cleveland Indians in March 2019.

With the New York Yankees

Maybin with the Yankees in 2019

On April 25, 2019, the Indians traded Maybin to the New York Yankees. He made his debut with the Yankees the next day. Maybin hit home runs in four games in a row in June. Yankees radio announcer, John Sterling, gave him the nickname "Hammerin' Cameron!" Maybin quickly became a fan favorite because of his good play and fun personality.

Third Time with the Detroit Tigers

On February 12, 2020, the Tigers signed Maybin for his third time with the team.

Playing for the Chicago Cubs

On August 31, 2020, the Tigers traded Maybin to the Chicago Cubs. He played 32 games for both teams that year. He hit .247. Maybin signed a new minor league contract with the Cubs in February 2021. He was released by the Cubs in March 2021, but re-signed with them the next day.

Final Season with the New York Mets

On May 18, 2021, Maybin was traded to the New York Mets. He played 9 games for them. He was then sent to the minor leagues. Maybin announced his retirement from baseball on January 3, 2022.

Broadcasting Career

After retiring from playing, Maybin became a baseball broadcaster. In 2022, he joined the YES Network as a commentator for Yankees games. He also started working for MLB Network as an on-air expert. In 2023, Maybin joined the Tigers broadcast team. He works as a studio analyst and sometimes helps with game commentary. He also works for the Detroit Tigers Radio Network.

Personal Life

Cameron Maybin is related to several other athletes. His cousins include former NFL linebacker Aaron Maybin and current Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin. He is also related to former NBA guard Rashad McCants and former WNBA guard/forward Rashanda McCants.

Cameron and his wife Courtney have three children: Trent, Max, and Laila. They used to run a non-profit group called Maybin Mission. This group helped children in his hometown of Asheville.