Nick Punto facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Nick Punto |
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Punto with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2011
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| San Diego Padres | |||
| Infielder / Coach | |||
| Born: November 8, 1977 San Diego, California, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 9, 2001, for the Philadelphia Phillies | |||
| Last appearance | |||
| September 27, 2014, for the Oakland Athletics | |||
| MLB statistics | |||
| Batting average | .245 | ||
| Home runs | 19 | ||
| Runs batted in | 263 | ||
| Teams | |||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||
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Nicholas Paul Punto, born on November 8, 1977, is an American baseball player who used to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was an infielder, meaning he played positions like second base, third base, or shortstop. Nick also played for the Italian national baseball team in the World Baseball Classic. After his playing career, he became a coach for the San Diego Padres.
One of his biggest achievements was winning the 2011 World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals. He played for several MLB teams, including the Philadelphia Phillies, Minnesota Twins, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Oakland Athletics.
Nick Punto's Baseball Journey
Starting His Career in Baseball
Nick Punto went to Trabuco Hills High School in Mission Viejo, California. He was first picked by the Minnesota Twins in the 1997 MLB draft, but he decided not to sign with them. Instead, he went to Saddleback College.
The next year, in 1998, the Philadelphia Phillies drafted him. Before making it to the big leagues, Punto played for several minor league teams. These included the Clearwater Phillies, Batavia Muckdogs, Reading Phillies, and Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons.
Playing for the Philadelphia Phillies (2001-2003)
Nick Punto made his first appearance in Major League Baseball on September 9, 2001, with the Philadelphia Phillies. In his very first game, he got a hit as a pinch hitter. That season, he played in four games and had two hits.
In 2002, while playing for the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons, Punto had a great year. He hit for a .271 batting average and stole 42 bases. This performance earned him a spot as an All-Star in the International League. Over three years with the Phillies, he played in 77 games. His only home run with the Phillies was against the New York Mets on July 10, 2003.
Time with the Minnesota Twins (2004-2010)
After playing 64 games for the Phillies in 2003, Nick Punto joined the Minnesota Twins in December 2003. He was part of a trade that brought him, Carlos Silva, and Bobby Korecky to the Twins.
In 2004, Punto started the season with the Twins but spent most of it on the disabled list due to injuries. In 2005, he became the starting second baseman. By 2006, he was the team's starting third baseman.
Punto was part of a group of four Twins players nicknamed "the Piranhas" by the manager of the Chicago White Sox. This nickname was given because they were tough to play against, even if they weren't always hitting home runs. The other players were Jason Tyner, Jason Bartlett, and Luis Castillo.
In 2006, Punto had one of his best seasons, hitting .290 with 45 RBI and 17 stolen bases. He was known for his excellent defense, which he always took great pride in.
In 2008, after being injured for much of the first half of the season, Punto returned to play. He finished the year hitting .284. He mostly played as the Twins' main shortstop that season.
In December 2008, Punto signed a new two-year contract with the Twins. He also played for Team Italy in the 2009 World Baseball Classic.
By 2010, Punto started the season as the Twins' third baseman. He continued to play different infield positions when other players got injured. After seven years with the Twins, Punto became a free agent in October 2010.
Winning the World Series with the St. Louis Cardinals (2011)
On January 21, 2011, Nick Punto signed a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. He played in 63 games for the Cardinals, often as a utility player, meaning he could play many different positions. He hit .278 that season.
Punto and the Cardinals made it to the 2011 World Series. They played against the Texas Rangers and won in seven exciting games. This victory gave Nick Punto his first World Series championship ring!
Short Stays with Other Teams (2012-2014)
After winning the World Series, Punto signed a two-year contract with the Boston Red Sox in December 2011. He played in 65 games for them in 2012, playing at second base, third base, and shortstop. He even played a few games at first base.
Later in 2012, Punto was traded to the Los Angeles Dodgers as part of a big trade involving several well-known players. He played 22 games for the Dodgers that year. This trade was sometimes jokingly called "The Nick Punto Trade" because of how many famous players were involved.
Punto again represented Italy in the 2013 World Baseball Classic. He played very well, getting 8 hits in 19 tries. In the 2013 season, he played in 116 games for the Dodgers, mostly at shortstop because of injuries to another player. He hit .255 that year.
In November 2013, Punto signed a one-year contract with the Oakland Athletics. In 2014, he played in 73 games for them, hitting .207. The Athletics released him in December 2014.
Retirement from Playing
In January 2015, Punto signed a minor league contract with the Arizona Diamondbacks. However, he decided not to report to spring training and took the year off from baseball. He officially announced his retirement from playing baseball on February 18, 2016.
Coaching Career
On January 9, 2025, it was announced that Nick Punto would be joining the coaching staff for the San Diego Padres in Major League Baseball.
Honors and Personal Life
Nick Punto was honored by being inducted into the Saddleback College Athletics Hall of Fame. He joined other famous baseball players like Tim Wallach and Mark Grace in this hall of fame.
Nick Punto is married to his wife, Natalie, and they have three children together.
Images for kids
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Punto with the Dodgers in 2013
