Cameron Maybin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cameron Maybin |
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Maybin with the Braves in 2015
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| Center fielder | |||
| Born: April 4, 1987 Asheville, North Carolina, U.S. |
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| 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 | 72 | ||
| Runs batted in | 354 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Cameron Keith Maybin (born April 4, 1987) is an American professional baseball player who used to play as a center fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for many teams, including the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros. After his playing career, he became a broadcaster. He was a top pick in the 2005 MLB draft and won the 2017 World Series with the Houston Astros.
Contents
- Early Life and Baseball Dreams
- Becoming a Professional Player
- Drafted by the Tigers
- Playing in the Minor Leagues
- Major League Debut with the Detroit Tigers
- Florida Marlins
- San Diego Padres
- Atlanta Braves
- Second Time with the Detroit Tigers
- Los Angeles Angels
- Houston Astros
- Second Time with the Marlins
- Seattle Mariners
- Cleveland Indians
- New York Yankees
- Third Time with Detroit
- Chicago Cubs
- New York Mets
- Life After Playing: Broadcasting
- Family Connections
- See also
Early Life and Baseball Dreams
Cameron Maybin grew up in Asheville, North Carolina. He played high school baseball at T. C. Roberson High School. As a freshman, he helped his team win a state championship. He was even named the most valuable player of that tournament!
Before his senior year, Cameron was already a star. He won a batting title in a special amateur league for young players. He also earned the 2004 Connie Mack World Series MVP award. Baseball America magazine even called him the Youth Player of the Year in 2004.
Becoming a Professional Player
Drafted by the Tigers
In 2005, Baseball America said Cameron Maybin was the best young outfielder available. The Detroit Tigers chose him as the tenth overall pick in the 2005 MLB draft. He signed a contract with the Tigers in September of that year.
Playing in the Minor Leagues
In 2006, Cameron played his first professional season. He joined the Class-A West Michigan Whitecaps. He helped them win the Midwest League championship. That year, he had a good batting average of .304. He also hit nine home runs and stole 27 bases. He was even picked to play in the All-Star Futures Game, which features top young players.
Cameron continued to play well in the minor leagues. He was often seen as the Tigers' best young player. In 2007, he moved up to the Double-A Erie SeaWolves. He played only a few games there before being called up to the Major Leagues!
Minor League Awards
Cameron Maybin received 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
Major League Debut with the Detroit Tigers
Cameron Maybin made his Major League debut on August 17, 2007. He was only 20 years old, making him the youngest player in the American League at the time. In his second game, he got his first career hit. It was a single and also his first career home run! Both of these happened against famous pitcher Roger Clemens.
Florida Marlins
In December 2007, the Tigers traded Maybin to the Florida Marlins. He was part of a big trade that brought Miguel Cabrera to the Tigers.
In 2008, Maybin was called up to the Marlins again. He played very well, getting 16 hits in 32 tries. He also stole 4 bases. On September 28, 2008, he caught the final out in the very last game played at Shea Stadium. This was a famous moment in baseball history.
Cameron started as the Marlins' main center fielder in 2009. However, he struggled a bit and was sent back to the minor leagues. He played well there and returned to the Marlins later that season. In 2010, he again started as the center fielder. He finished his time with the Marlins hitting .234 with 9 stolen bases.
San Diego Padres
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After the 2010 season, Maybin was traded to the San Diego Padres. In 2011, he had a great year. He became only the ninth player in Padres history to steal 40 bases! He hit .264 with nine home runs. His defense in center field was also amazing. Many people thought he played at a "Gold Glove-caliber" level. The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper even called him the team's MVP.
In 2012, Maybin signed a five-year contract with the Padres. He started the season slowly but improved a lot in the second half. He finished the year with 26 stolen bases. He also played in 136 games as the center fielder.
Unfortunately, Maybin missed most of the 2013 season due to injuries. He had problems with his right wrist and later tore a ligament in his right knee. He had surgery on his wrist in September.
Atlanta Braves
On April 5, 2015, Maybin was traded to the Atlanta Braves. In the 2015 season, he played in 141 games. He hit .267 and stole 23 bases, which was one of the best in the National League. He was also very good at hitting when runners were in scoring position.
Second Time with the Detroit Tigers
In November 2015, the Braves traded Maybin back to the Detroit Tigers. This was his second time playing for the team that first drafted him.
In March 2016, Maybin broke his wrist after being hit by a fast pitch during spring training. He had to miss several weeks. When he returned in May, he played incredibly well. He was even named the American League Co-Player of the Week! He hit .600 in his first six games back.
On June 30, 2016, Maybin helped the Tigers win a very exciting game. They were losing by a lot in the last inning, but he got a hit to start a big comeback. Later, he hit a three-run double that helped the Tigers win 10–7.
Maybin played well for the Tigers in 2016, hitting .315. He also led the team with 15 stolen bases. However, injuries limited him to playing in only 92 games.
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. He played in 93 games for the Angels, hitting 6 home runs and stealing 29 bases.
Houston Astros
On August 31, 2017, the Houston Astros got Maybin from the Angels. He joined the Astros just in time for their exciting playoff run. In Game 2 of the 2017 World Series, Maybin came into the game as a pinch hitter. He got a hit and then stole second base. He then scored a run on a home run by George Springer. The Astros went on to win that game and eventually won the World Series in 7 games. This gave Cameron Maybin his first World Series championship!
Second Time with the Marlins
In February 2018, Maybin signed a contract to return to the Miami Marlins. This was his second time playing for the Marlins. He played in 251 games for them in 2018.
Seattle Mariners
On July 31, 2018, Maybin was traded to the Seattle Mariners. He played in 91 games for the Mariners that year.
Cleveland Indians
In March 2019, Maybin signed a minor league contract with the Cleveland Indians. He started the 2019 season playing for their minor league team, the Columbus Clippers.
New York Yankees
On April 25, 2019, the Indians traded Maybin to the New York Yankees. He joined the Yankees' main team right away. He made his debut with the Yankees the very next day. In June, Maybin hit home runs in four games in a row! The Yankees' radio announcer, John Sterling, even gave him a special nickname: "Hammerin' Cameron!" Fans really liked Maybin because he played well and had a great personality.
Third Time with Detroit
On February 12, 2020, the Tigers signed Maybin for his third time playing for the team.
Chicago Cubs
On August 31, 2020, the Tigers traded Maybin to the Chicago Cubs. He played 32 games that year, split between the Tigers and Cubs. In February 2021, Maybin signed another contract with the Cubs.
New York Mets
On May 18, 2021, Maybin was traded to the New York Mets. He played 9 games for the Mets before being sent to their minor league team. On October 4, he became a free agent.
Cameron Maybin officially announced that he was retiring from playing baseball on January 3, 2022.
Life After Playing: Broadcasting
After retiring from playing, Cameron Maybin started a new career in broadcasting. In 2022, he joined the YES Network as a color commentator for Yankees baseball games. This means he helps explain the game to viewers during broadcasts.
He also joined MLB Network, a TV channel dedicated to baseball. He appears on shows like MLB Tonight to share his thoughts on the game. In 2023, Maybin also became a studio analyst for the Tigers' broadcast team on Bally Sports Detroit. He sometimes helps call games too. He also works as an analyst for the Detroit Tigers Radio Network.
Family Connections
Cameron Maybin has several relatives who are also professional athletes:
- He is a cousin of former NFL linebacker Aaron Maybin.
- He is also a cousin of current Detroit Lions linebacker Jalen Reeves-Maybin.
- He is a cousin of former NBA guard Rashad McCants and former WNBA guard/forward Rashanda McCants.
- He is a third cousin of former NFL and Canadian Football League running back John Avery.
Cameron Maybin married his wife Courtney in 2015.
See also
In Spanish: Cameron Maybin para niños
