Didi Gregorius facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Didi Gregorius
Gregorius with the New York Yankees in 2017
Algodoneros de Unión Laguna – No. 18
Shortstop
Born: (1990-02-18) February 18, 1990 (age 35) Amsterdam, Netherlands
Bats: Left Throws: Right
debut
September 5, 2012, for the Cincinnati Reds
MLB statistics (through 2022 season)
Batting average	.257
Hits	999
Home runs	134
Runs batted in	530
Teams
Cincinnati Reds (2012) Arizona Diamondbacks (2013–2014) New York Yankees (2015–2019) Philadelphia Phillies (2020–2022)
Medals Men's baseball Representing NED Baseball World Cup Gold 2011 Panama Team Intercontinental Cup Silver 2010 Taichung Team European Championship Bronze 2023 Czechia Team

Mariekson Julius "Didi" Gregorius (born February 18, 1990) is a professional baseball shortstop. He plays for the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in the Mexican League. Didi has also played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for teams like the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees, and Philadelphia Phillies.

Didi was born in Amsterdam, Netherlands. His family moved to Curaçao when he was five. That's when he started playing tee-ball and youth baseball. Baseball scouts noticed Didi when he was a teenager. He signed with the Reds in 2007.

His journey through the Reds' minor league teams faced a challenge in 2011. A kidney issue made him miss two months. But he still made his major league debut in September 2012. After 2012, the Reds traded Didi to Arizona. He then joined the Yankees in 2014. He played five seasons with them. Didi became a stronger hitter with the Yankees. He even broke Derek Jeter's record for most home runs by a Yankees shortstop in 2017. He hit 20 or more home runs for three years in a row.

Didi missed part of the 2019 season due to Tommy John surgery on his elbow. But he still hit well when he returned. He even hit a grand slam in the playoffs. After 2019, he joined the Phillies. His time with the Phillies was affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and health issues.

Besides MLB, Didi has played for the Dutch national baseball team. He helped them win the 2011 Baseball World Cup. After that win, he and his teammates were given honorary knighthood.

Early Life and Family Background

Didi Gregorius was born in Amsterdam on February 18, 1990. His father, Johannes Gregorius Sr., was a carpenter and a pitcher for the Amsterdam Pirates. This was a professional baseball team in the Netherlands. Didi's mother, Sheritsa Stroop, played for the Netherlands women's national softball team. His grandfather, Antonio, also played baseball. He pitched for the Netherlands Antilles in the 1955 Pan American Games.

In 1995, Didi's family moved to Curaçao. This was because of his father's baseball career. Didi started playing tee-ball and Little League Baseball in the Netherlands. He was inspired by his older brother, Johannes Jr. Didi also enjoyed drawing in his free time. He played soccer and basketball as a child. But baseball was always his favorite sport.

Professional Baseball Journey

Starting with the Cincinnati Reds

Minor League Years

A scout for the Cincinnati Reds named Jim Stoeckel noticed Didi in 2006. Didi was playing in an under-18 tournament. The Reds signed Didi in 2008. He received a $50,000 bonus. Other teams like the Seattle Mariners and San Diego Padres were also interested. But Didi chose the Reds because they offered him a chance to play in the United States. He started his professional career in 2008 with the Gulf Coast Reds.

In 2009, Didi played mostly for the Billings Mustangs. He hit well, with a .314 batting average in 50 games. He also played a few games for the Sarasota Reds. The next year, with the Dayton Dragons, Didi showed off his strong arm and speed. He hit 11 triples and stole 16 bases. He also hit .273 with five home runs. After the regular season, Didi played in Australia. He was named the Defensive Player of the Year there.

In 2011, doctors found that Didi had a kidney issue. He had to stop playing baseball for two months. He also changed his diet and took medicine. This helped him get back on the field. He played for the Bakersfield Blaze and then the Carolina Mudcats. He hit .289 with seven home runs that season. The Reds then added him to their main roster.

Didi was a top prospect in 2012. He played for the Pensacola Blue Wahoos and then the Louisville Bats. He hit .282 for Pensacola and .243 for Louisville.

Major League Debut

Didi made his major league debut on September 5, 2012. He played for the Reds against the Philadelphia Phillies. He hit .300 in eight games that season. After the season, he played in the Arizona Fall League. He helped his team win a championship there.

Playing for the Arizona Diamondbacks

Gregorius batting for the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2013

The Reds traded Didi to the Arizona Diamondbacks on December 11, 2012. This was part of a big three-team trade. The Diamondbacks needed a shortstop.

Didi hurt his elbow in December 2012. He couldn't throw until spring training started. He began the 2013 season in the minor leagues. But he was called up to the Diamondbacks when another player got hurt. In his first at-bat with Arizona on April 18, 2013, Didi hit a home run. He was the first Diamondback to hit a home run on the first pitch of his first at-bat with the team. On April 27, Didi was hit by a pitch in the head. He was okay but had to go on the concussion list for a week. He played 103 games that year, hitting .252.

In 2014, Didi competed for the starting shortstop job. He started the season in the minor leagues. But he was called up in June when another player got hurt. Didi played in 80 major league games in 2014. He hit .226 with six home runs.

Time with the New York Yankees

Derek Jeter, the famous Yankees shortstop, retired in 2014. The Yankees needed a new shortstop. They traded for Didi Gregorius on December 5, 2014.

2015 and 2016 Seasons

Gregorius playing shortstop for the Yankees in 2015

Didi became the Yankees' starting shortstop. He said he wasn't worried about replacing Jeter. He just focused on his own game. He started slowly in 2015 but improved a lot by June. He played 155 games, hitting .265 with nine home runs. He was a finalist for the American League Gold Glove Award for best defensive shortstop.

In 2016, Didi had a great year. He set new career highs with 20 home runs and 70 RBIs. He worked with a hitting coach in the offseason. This helped him hit better against left-handed pitchers. On June 29, he hit his first walk-off home run. This was a game-winning hit in the final inning.

2017 Season

Before the 2017 season, Didi hurt his shoulder while playing for the Netherlands in the 2017 World Baseball Classic. He missed the start of the season. He returned on April 28. Didi felt strong at the plate. He had an eight-game hitting streak in July. He also hit home runs in three games in a row. On September 20, Didi hit his 25th home run of the season. This broke Jeter's record for most home runs by a Yankees shortstop in one season. He finished the season hitting .287 with 87 RBIs.

In the playoffs, Didi hit a big three-run home run against the Minnesota Twins. This helped the Yankees win. He also hit two home runs in a key playoff game against the Cleveland Indians. The Yankees won that game and moved on.

2018 Season

Didi started the 2018 season with a career-high eight RBIs in one game. He had a fantastic April, leading the league with 10 home runs and 30 RBIs. He was named AL Player of the Month. He had a small slump in May and June. But he bounced back with two home runs in a game on June 12. He finished 2018 with 27 home runs. This helped the Yankees break the MLB record for most home runs by a team in a season.

On September 23, 2018, Didi helped the Yankees get into the playoffs. But he tore cartilage in his wrist sliding home. He still played in the playoffs. The Yankees won the Wild Card game. But they lost to the Red Sox in the next round.

2019 Season

Didi had an elbow injury that needed Tommy John surgery after the 2018 season. He missed the start of the 2019 season. He returned on June 7, 2019. On July 23, Didi had a perfect game at the plate, hitting 5-for-5. He also had seven RBIs. He hit his 100th career home run in that game. He finished the season with 16 home runs. In the playoffs, Didi hit the first ever postseason grand slam by a Yankees shortstop. The Yankees made it to the championship series but lost. After the season, the Yankees did not offer Didi a new contract. He became a free agent.

Joining the Philadelphia Phillies

Gregorius in 2020

The Philadelphia Phillies signed Didi to a one-year contract on December 16, 2019. The 2020 MLB season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Didi chose to play and wore a face mask on the field. He was a strong hitter for the Phillies that year. He was third among all shortstops in RBIs (40) and fifth in home runs (10).

The Phillies signed Didi again for two more years in 2021. He had some visa issues and reported late to spring training. Didi injured his elbow in April 2021. He missed several games. He was later diagnosed with pseudogout, a type of arthritis. He returned to play on July 2. Didi had a tough season in 2021, hitting only .209. The Phillies released him on August 4, 2022.

Playing in Mexico and Other Leagues

On May 1, 2023, Didi signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna in the Mexican League. He played very well, hitting .359 with 11 home runs in 26 games.

On June 8, 2023, Didi signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners. He played 25 games for their Triple-A team. He then became a free agent on August 2.

On October 23, 2023, Didi was chosen by the Dubai Wolves in the first Baseball United draft. He played in their all-star event in November 2023.

Didi signed with the Algodoneros de Unión Laguna again on April 7, 2024. He played 74 games, hitting .262 with seven home runs. He re-signed with Laguna for the 2025 season.

International Baseball Career

Didi first played for the Dutch national baseball team in 2009. This was at the 2009 Baseball World Cup. In the 2011 Baseball World Cup, the Netherlands beat Cuba to win the gold medal. After this win, Didi and his teammates were made knights. His official title is "Sir," and he uses it on his Twitter account.

Didi was supposed to play in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. But he hurt his elbow and couldn't play. He did play in the 2017 tournament. He hit .348 with one home run. He helped the Dutch team reach the semifinals. But he had to leave early due to a shoulder injury. He also played for the Netherlands in the 2023 World Baseball Classic and 2024 WBSC Premier12. In the 2024 Premier12, he was named the best shortstop on the All-World Team.

Didi was also part of the Curaçao Suns team. They represented Curaçao in the 2024 Caribbean Series in Miami.

Personal Life and Hobbies

Gregorius at a charity event in 2016

Didi got his nickname "Didi" in 2009. His American teammates had trouble saying his full name, Mariekson. His father and brother also use the nickname "Didi." Like many people from Curaçao, Didi speaks four languages: English, Spanish, Dutch, and Papiamento.

In his free time, Didi enjoys photography. He also started tattooing when the 2020 MLB season was paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

When he played for the Yankees, Didi would post "victory tweets" after every win. He often used the hashtag "#startspreadingthenews." These tweets included special emojis for his teammates. He continued this tradition when he joined the Philadelphia Phillies. He said he would use "new emojis" for his new teammates.

See also

In Spanish: Didi Gregorius para niños