Dexter Fowler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dexter Fowler |
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Dexter Fowler at SXSW 2025
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| Center fielder | ||||||||||||||
| Born: March 22, 1986 Atlanta, Georgia, U.S. |
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| debut | ||||||||||||||
| September 2, 2008, for the Colorado Rockies | ||||||||||||||
| Last appearance | ||||||||||||||
| April 9, 2021, for the Los Angeles Angels | ||||||||||||||
| MLB statistics | ||||||||||||||
| Batting average | .259 | |||||||||||||
| Home runs | 127 | |||||||||||||
| Runs batted in | 517 | |||||||||||||
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| Career highlights and awards | ||||||||||||||
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William Dexter Fowler (born March 22, 1986) is an American former professional baseball player. He was a talented center fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Dexter played for several teams, including the Colorado Rockies, Houston Astros, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Los Angeles Angels. He proudly represented the United States national baseball team in the 2008 Summer Olympics. In 2016, he helped the Chicago Cubs win the World Series, a huge achievement! Dexter was also known for hitting many triples, leading all MLB players with 72 triples during the 2010s.
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Dexter Fowler's Early Life and Baseball Start
Dexter Fowler was born in Atlanta, Georgia. He went to Milton High School in Milton, Georgia. While playing baseball in high school, Dexter was an amazing hitter. He hit .457, which means he got a hit almost half the times he batted. He also hit 14 home runs.
Dexter had offers to play baseball at top universities like Harvard and the University of Miami. But he chose to go straight into professional baseball instead. Before joining the Rockies, Dexter only hit with his right hand.
Playing for Team USA in the Olympics
While Dexter was playing in the minor leagues in 2008, he was chosen for the United States national baseball team. He traveled to Beijing, China, to compete in the 2008 Summer Olympics. Dexter and his team played very well. They won the bronze medal by defeating Japan with a score of 8–4 in the bronze medal game.
Dexter Fowler's Professional Baseball Career
Getting Drafted and Playing in the Minor Leagues
The Colorado Rockies picked Dexter Fowler in the 14th round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft. This was his first step into professional baseball. In 2008, Major League Baseball selected him to play in the All-Star Futures Game. This special game features the best young players in the minor leagues.
Before playing in the 2008 Olympics, Dexter was playing for the Tulsa Drillers. This team was the Rockies' Double-A affiliate in the Texas League. He was hitting very well, with a batting average of .337. He also had nine home runs, 61 runs batted in (RBIs), and 20 stolen bases.
Playing for the Colorado Rockies (2008–2013)
Dexter Fowler made it to the Major Leagues for the first time on September 2, 2008. He debuted that same day as a pinch runner in a game against the San Francisco Giants. A day later, he had his first official at-bat.
On September 10, 2008, Dexter got his first career hit. It was an infield single against the Atlanta Braves.
A big moment came on April 8, 2009. Dexter hit his first career home run! It was against the Arizona Diamondbacks. What made it even more special was that he hit it on the very first pitch of the game. This made him the first player in Rockies history to do that.
On April 27, 2009, Dexter tied a rookie record by stealing five bases in one game. This happened in a 12–7 win against the San Diego Padres.
In 2010, Dexter led all of Major League Baseball in triples, hitting 14 that season. He continued to hit many triples in 2011, getting 15 that year.
The 2012 season was one of Dexter's best for hitting. He hit 13 home runs and had 53 RBIs. His batting average was .300, which is excellent. However, he played especially well at his home stadium, Coors Field.
Playing for the Houston Astros (2014)
On December 3, 2013, Dexter was traded to the Houston Astros. He played 116 games for the Astros during the 2014 season. He finished the year with a .276 batting average.
Playing for the Chicago Cubs (2015–2016)
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Dexter was traded to the Chicago Cubs on January 19, 2015. He had a great 2015 season, scoring 102 runs and hitting 17 home runs. He also stole 20 bases.
The Cubs made it to the postseason in 2015 for the first time in seven years. Dexter played a key role in their 4–0 win over the Pittsburgh Pirates in the wild card game. He got three hits, scored three runs, and hit a home run.
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In 2016, Dexter signed a new contract with the Cubs. He was chosen for his first All-Star Game that year. Six of his Cubs teammates were also selected, which was very exciting!
Dexter finished the 2016 season with a .276 batting average. He hit 13 home runs and scored 84 runs. He was known for being very patient at the plate, swinging at very few pitches outside the strike zone.
On October 25, 2016, Dexter Fowler and three of his teammates made history. They became the first African-American players to play for the Cubs in a World Series game. Dexter was also the first African-American player to bat for the Cubs in a World Series.
In Game 7 of the World Series, Dexter hit a home run to start the game. This was a historic moment, as he was the first player ever to lead off a World Series Game 7 with a home run. The Cubs won that game 8–7 in 10 innings. This victory gave the team their first championship in 108 years! After this amazing win, Dexter became a free agent.
Playing for the St. Louis Cardinals (2017–2020)
On December 9, 2016, Dexter Fowler signed a five-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. He hit his first home run as a Cardinal on April 19, 2017. In his first season with St. Louis, he played 118 games. He had a .264 batting average, 18 home runs, and 64 RBIs.
For the 2018 season, Dexter moved to play right field. On May 6, 2018, he hit his first ever walk-off home run. This means his home run ended the game and won it for his team. It was against his former team, the Chicago Cubs, and helped the Cardinals win 4–3 in the 14th inning. Dexter's 2018 season ended early due to an injury.
He returned healthy in 2019 and played in 150 games. He hit 19 home runs and had 67 RBIs. In 2020, he played 90 games.
Playing for the Los Angeles Angels (2021)
On February 4, 2021, the Cardinals traded Dexter to the Los Angeles Angels.
Sadly, in a game on April 9, Dexter suffered a serious knee injury. He tore his left ACL, which meant he needed surgery and would miss the rest of the season.
Retirement from Baseball
Dexter signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on March 31, 2022. He played in a few games for their Triple-A team, the Buffalo Bisons. However, he asked to be released from his contract on May 3, 2022.
On January 31, 2023, Dexter Fowler officially announced his retirement from professional baseball.
Dexter Fowler's Personal Life
Dexter Fowler is married to Aliya Fowler. They have two daughters together. Dexter is a Christian. He is also good friends with his former teammate Chris Nelson, who is also from Georgia.
See also
- List of Colorado Rockies team records
- List of Major League Baseball annual triples leaders
- List of Olympic medalists in baseball
- List of people from Atlanta
