Mike Cameron facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mike Cameron |
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Cameron with the Boston Red Sox in 2011
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| Center fielder | |||
| Born: January 8, 1973 LaGrange, Georgia, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| August 27, 1995, for the Chicago White Sox | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 12, 2011, for the Florida Marlins | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .249 | ||
| Home runs | 278 | ||
| Runs batted in | 968 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Michael "Mike" Terrance Cameron (born January 8, 1973) is a former American professional Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder. He played for eight different teams during his 16-year career. Today, he works as a Special Assignment Coach for the Seattle Mariners.
Cameron was known for his amazing defense and powerful hitting. In 2001, he was chosen as an All-Star. He also won three Gold Glove Awards for being one of the best defensive players. One of his most famous moments was in 2002, when he hit four home runs in a single game, something very few players have ever done.
He is also a member of the special 250/250 club. This means he hit at least 250 home runs and stole at least 250 bases in his career. Only a small number of players in baseball history have achieved this.
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Early Life and School
Mike Cameron was born in La Grange, Georgia. He was raised by his grandmother. When he was in high school, his grandmother didn't let him play baseball for a year because he failed a chemistry class. This taught him the importance of doing well in school. Because he missed a year of playing, he didn't get as much attention from baseball scouts.
Professional Baseball Career
Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds
Cameron was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in 1991. He made his MLB debut on August 27, 1995. By 1997, he had become the team's starting center fielder. In 1998, he was traded to the Cincinnati Reds.
Seattle Mariners
Before the 2000 season, Cameron was traded to the Seattle Mariners. He had some of his best years with this team.
On May 2, 2002, Cameron did something incredible. He hit four home runs in one game, tying a major league record. In that same game, he and his teammate Bret Boone hit back-to-back home runs twice in the same inning. This was the first time that had ever happened in MLB history.
While with the Mariners, Cameron was selected for the All-Star Game in 2001. He also won two Gold Glove Awards in 2001 and 2003 for his excellent fielding.
New York Mets
In 2003, Cameron signed with the New York Mets. In his first year, he hit 30 home runs, a personal best. The next year, the Mets signed another star center fielder, Carlos Beltrán. Cameron moved to play right field.
On August 11, 2005, Cameron and Beltrán had a serious accident. They both dove for a fly ball and crashed into each other. Cameron suffered a concussion and broken bones in his face. He had to be carried off the field on a stretcher.
San Diego Padres
In November 2005, Cameron was traded to the San Diego Padres. He continued to be a great defensive player and won another Gold Glove Award in 2006. When he played his first game back in Seattle in 2006, the fans gave him a standing ovation to show their appreciation.
At the start of the 2008 season, Cameron had to serve a 25-game suspension for breaking the league's rules on player health.
Milwaukee Brewers
Cameron signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2008. He told reporters that he was still dealing with problems from his on-field collision in 2005.
On May 24, 2009, Cameron hit his 250th career home run. This officially made him the 20th player in MLB history to join the 250 home run/250 stolen base club.
Final Years and Retirement
Cameron later played for the Boston Red Sox and the Florida Marlins. He signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals in late 2011 but never played a game for them.
On February 19, 2012, Mike Cameron announced his retirement from baseball. To honor his amazing career in Seattle, he signed a special one-day contract with the Mariners. This allowed him to officially retire as a member of the team he had so much success with.
Life Outside of Baseball
Cameron wrote a children's book called It Takes a Team: Mike Cameron. In the book, he talks about his life and why he believes teamwork is so important.
He is also known for being very kind to fans. He would often sit on top of the dugout before games to sign autographs and talk with people. Cameron started the Cam4Kids Foundation to raise money for scholarships for children. He also works with charities like the Make-A-Wish Foundation.
Cameron is married and has three children. His son, Daz Cameron, is also a professional baseball player. In 2019, Mike Cameron returned to the Seattle Mariners as a Special Assignment Coach, where he helps train and guide new players.
