Dee Strange-Gordon facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dee Strange-Gordon |
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Strange-Gordon with the Seattle Mariners in 2018
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| Second baseman / Shortstop / Center fielder | |||
| Born: April 22, 1988 Windermere, Florida, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| June 6, 2011, for the Los Angeles Dodgers | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| June 7, 2022, for the Washington Nationals | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .286 | ||
| Home runs | 18 | ||
| Runs batted in | 236 | ||
| Stolen bases | 336 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Devaris "Dee" Strange-Gordon (born April 22, 1988), also known as Dee Gordon, is an American former professional baseball player. He played as a second baseman, shortstop, and center fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, Seattle Mariners, and Washington Nationals.
Strange-Gordon started his MLB career with the Dodgers in 2011. He was known for his speed and played mostly as a shortstop and second baseman. With the Marlins, he was mainly a second baseman. In 2018, he began playing center field for the Mariners. In 2015, his first year with the Marlins, Strange-Gordon had a great season. He hit for a .333 batting average, got 205 hits, and stole 58 bases. He led the National League in all three areas. He was the first player since Jackie Robinson in 1949 to lead the National League in both batting average and stolen bases. During the 2010s, Strange-Gordon stole 330 bases, which was the most of any MLB player.
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Early Life and Family
Dee Strange-Gordon was born in Windermere, Florida. His father, Tom Gordon, was also a famous MLB pitcher. Dee's mother, Devona Denise Strange, passed away when he was seven years old. After this, his father, Tom, raised him with the help of Dee's grandmother.
Even though his father played baseball, Dee first loved basketball. He didn't start playing baseball until high school. He even had a chance to play college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals.
Dee played baseball at Avon Park High School, Seminole Community College, and Southeastern University. The Los Angeles Dodgers chose him in the fourth round of the 2008 Major League Baseball Draft.
Baseball Career Highlights
Minor League Journey
In 2008, Dee played for the Ogden Raptors and hit .331. The next year, with the Great Lakes Loons, he hit .301 and stole an amazing 73 bases. He was named the Most Valuable Player and the Dodgers' "Minor League Player of the Year."
In 2010, he played for the Chattanooga Lookouts and stole 53 bases. By 2011, he was with the Albuquerque Isotopes, and Baseball America called him the Dodgers' top young player.
Los Angeles Dodgers (2011–2014)
Dee Strange-Gordon made his big league debut with the Dodgers on June 6, 2011. He came in as a pinch runner and scored a run. The next day, he got three hits in his first three times at bat and stole a base! On July 1, he did something special: he stole second, third, and home base all in the same inning! This was a rare feat, not seen by a Dodger since 1928. In his first 56 games, he hit .304 and stole 24 bases, tying for the most by a rookie that year.
In 2012, Dee hit his first career home run. He was leading the league in stolen bases when he hurt his thumb in July. He returned later in the season but mostly played as a pinch runner. He finished 2012 with 32 stolen bases.
In 2013, he spent some time in Triple-A, but also played for the Dodgers. He started practicing at second base and center field to become a more flexible player.
For the 2014 season, Dee became the Dodgers' starting second baseman. He had a fantastic first half, hitting .301 and leading the league in triples (9) and steals (42). He was chosen for the 2014 Major League Baseball All-Star Game. At the All-Star game, he scored a tying run and made a great play at second base. He finished 2014 with 64 stolen bases, the most in all of Major League Baseball. He also led the majors with 12 triples.
Miami Marlins (2015–2017)
On December 10, 2014, Dee was traded to the Miami Marlins. He quickly made an impact, getting his 50th hit of the season in just the Marlins' 28th game in 2015. He led the major leagues with a .437 batting average early in the season. In June, he hit his first inside-the-park home run at Marlins Park. Dee finished the 2015 season with a .333 batting average, winning the National League batting title. He also led the majors in infield hits and bunt hits, and won his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award for his excellent defense.
In 2016, Dee signed a five-year contract with the Marlins. He was suspended from playing for a period of time that season.
On September 26, 2016, the day after his teammate and friend José Fernández passed away, Dee hit a memorable home run. He started his at-bat batting right-handed, like José, and then switched to his natural left-handed stance. He hit his first home run of the year, a powerful hit that many called a "transcendent MLB moment" because of the emotion and meaning behind it.
In 2017, he batted .308 and again led the majors in bunt hits.
Seattle Mariners (2018–2020)
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On December 7, 2017, Dee was traded to the Seattle Mariners. He started playing as an outfielder for the Mariners. However, when Robinson Canó was suspended, Dee moved back to second base.
In 2018, he batted .268 and stole 30 bases. He was known for his speed, having the fastest average time from home plate to first base among second basemen in 2020.
In 2019, Dee batted .275 and stole 22 bases. In 2020, he played as a utility player, splitting his time between second base and left field, and also served as a pinch runner.
After the 2020 season, the Mariners decided not to pick up his contract option, making him a free agent.
Later Career (2021–2022)
In 2021, Dee signed minor league contracts with the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Pirates organizations, playing for their Triple-A teams.
In December 2021, he signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. He played well in spring training and was added to their main roster for opening day in 2022. On April 12, Dee even made his first career MLB appearance as a pitcher! He was released by the Nationals in June 2022.
According to his father, Tom Gordon, Dee has now retired from professional baseball. He owns a farm in central Florida.
Personal Life and Charity Work
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Dee has a half-brother, Nick Gordon, who was also drafted by an MLB team in 2014.
Dee Strange-Gordon is involved with many charities. He supports Above .500 Inc. and has participated in charity games. He also created "Flash of Hope," a charity that helps children whose parents have passed away due to domestic issues. Through this program, he invites one child each month to join him in the clubhouse and during batting practice.
In 2017, he was nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award for his work with Athletes Brand and Food for the Hungry, helping to fight poverty in the Dominican Republic.
Dee's full name is Devaris Strange-Gordon, and his friends and family call him Varis. He was known professionally as Dee Gordon for many years. In 2020, he decided to start using his legal surname, Strange-Gordon, professionally to honor his mother.
See also
- List of Major League Baseball batting champions
- List of Major League Baseball annual stolen base leaders
- List of Silver Slugger Award winners at second base
- List of Gold Glove Award winners at second base
- List of second-generation Major League Baseball players
