Tommy Pham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tommy Pham |
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Pham with the Mets in 2023
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| Free agent | |||
| Outfielder | |||
| Born: March 8, 1988 Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
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| debut | |||
| September 9, 2014, for the St. Louis Cardinals | |||
| MLB statistics (through 2024 season) |
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| Batting average | .258 | ||
| Hits | 985 | ||
| Home runs | 139 | ||
| Runs batted in | 470 | ||
| Stolen bases | 126 | ||
| Teams | |||
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Thomas James Pham (born March 8, 1988) is an American professional baseball outfielder. He is currently a free agent. He has played for many teams in Major League Baseball (MLB). These include the St. Louis Cardinals, Tampa Bay Rays, San Diego Padres, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Red Sox, New York Mets, Arizona Diamondbacks, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals.
Pham was chosen by the Cardinals in the 2006 MLB draft. He faced many injuries and a vision problem early in his career. He has a condition called keratoconus, which affects his eyesight. However, he found special contact lenses that gave him very clear vision. In 2017, Pham made history for the Cardinals. He was the first player since 1900 to get a .300 batting average, 20 home runs, 20 doubles, and 20 stolen bases in one season.
Contents
- Early Life and Baseball Start
- Professional Baseball Journey
- Personal Life
Early Life and Baseball Start
Tommy Pham was born in Las Vegas, Nevada. He has a twin sister named Brittany. His mother, Tawana, worked hard to raise them. She had jobs as a busser, a casino waitress, and at a bakery. They grew up in Spring Valley, Nevada. When he was very young, Tommy wore leg braces for a few years.
Tommy went to several high schools in Spring Valley. He played baseball as a pitcher and infielder. In his senior year, he was a top player. He batted .581 and was named the Class 4A All-State Player of the Year. He was also a second team All-American.
He could throw a fastball very fast, but he preferred not to pitch. He first planned to play college baseball at Arizona. Then he changed his mind to Cal State Fullerton. But he never went to college. The St. Louis Cardinals picked him in the 2006 amateur draft. Tommy chose to play professional baseball instead. He received a good amount of money for signing with the team.
Professional Baseball Journey
Starting in the Minor Leagues
Tommy Pham began his professional career in 2006. He played for the Rookie League Johnson City Cardinals. He started as a shortstop but made many errors. In 2007, he moved to the outfield. He played for the Low–A Batavia Muckdogs and Single–A Swing of the Quad Cities.
He faced many injuries during his time in the minor leagues. In 2010, he fractured his wrist. In 2011, he tore a wrist ligament. In 2012, he tore a shoulder labrum. This kept him out for most of the season. After moving up to Triple–A Memphis Redbirds in 2013, he tore his other shoulder labrum.
Despite these challenges, he kept working hard. In 2014, he played most of the season for Memphis. He had a great year, batting .324. He also had 10 home runs and 44 runs batted in (RBI).
Joining Major League Baseball
The Cardinals called Tommy Pham up to the major leagues in September 2014. He played in two games that year.
2015 Season Highlights
Pham started the 2015 season in Memphis. He missed the first two months with a leg injury. When he returned, he played very well. He was named the best defensive outfielder in his league.
The Cardinals brought him back to the major leagues in July 2015. On July 4, he got his first major league hit. He also stole his first base and scored his first run. The next day, he hit his first major league home run. He drove in all three of the Cardinals' runs in a 3-1 win.
In September, he had a game with two home runs. He had homered in three straight times at bat. The Cardinals won their division that year. Pham made his major league postseason debut. He hit a home run in his first playoff at-bat.
2016 and 2017 Seasons
Pham started the 2016 season with the Cardinals. He got injured on Opening Day. He returned later in the season. He played in 78 games that year.
In 2017, Pham began the season in Memphis again. After playing well there, he was called back up to the Cardinals. He became the team's starting right fielder. He had an amazing season. He batted .306 with 23 home runs, 73 RBIs, and 25 stolen bases. He was the first Cardinals player since 1900 to achieve these numbers in one season. He was also a top player in the league for his overall performance. People started calling his great play "Pham-tastic!" He worked very hard and used data to improve his skills.
2018 Season and Trade
Pham was the Cardinals' starting center fielder in 2018. During a practice, he had a small accident. His bat hit him in the forehead, but he was okay and returned to play a few games later.
In July 2018, the Cardinals traded Pham to the Tampa Bay Rays. He was sad to leave the Cardinals. He had enjoyed playing for them and being part of the community.
Time with the Tampa Bay Rays
Soon after joining the Rays, Pham fractured his foot. He returned in August and quickly started playing well. He hit his first home run as a Ray in August. In September, he was named to the MLB team of the month. He batted .368 with five home runs.
In 2019, Pham continued to shine. He reached base in 40 straight games, a record for the Rays. He also hit his first grand slam. He was known for getting many infield hits. He also had a perfect fielding percentage as a left fielder. Pham said he understood advanced baseball statistics very well.
Playing for the San Diego Padres
In December 2019, Pham was traded to the San Diego Padres. The 2020 season was shorter due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Pham played in 31 games. He had surgery on his left hand in August 2020. He also had another surgery on his left wrist later that year.
In 2021, Pham played in 155 games for the Padres. He hit 15 home runs and stole 14 bases. After the season, he became a free agent.
Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox
In March 2022, Pham signed with the Cincinnati Reds. He played in 91 games for them, hitting 11 home runs.
In August 2022, Pham was traded to the Boston Red Sox. He played 53 games for Boston. After the season, he became a free agent again.
New York Mets and Arizona Diamondbacks
Pham signed with the New York Mets in January 2023. He became their starting left fielder. Many people thought his signing was a great move for the Mets. He was seen as a strong right-handed batter.
In August 2023, the Mets traded Pham to the Arizona Diamondbacks. He helped the Diamondbacks reach the World Series. He played as a designated hitter and in the outfield. After the season, he became a free agent.
Chicago White Sox and Second Stint with Cardinals
In April 2024, Pham signed with the Chicago White Sox. He played well in Triple-A before joining the White Sox roster. In 70 games for Chicago, he hit five home runs.
On July 29, 2024, Pham was traded back to the St. Louis Cardinals. In his first game back with the Cardinals, he hit a grand slam! This was a special moment for him and the team. He played 23 games for St. Louis before being moved off the team.
Kansas City Royals
On August 31, 2024, the Kansas City Royals picked up Pham. He played for Kansas City for the rest of the season. In December 2024, he signed to play in the Dominican Winter League.
Personal Life
Tommy Pham has a unique background. He is of both African American and Vietnamese heritage. He is the first person of Vietnamese descent to play in MLB since 2006.
Pham has a rare eye condition called keratoconus. This condition affects his vision. He started having vision problems in 2008. Since 2009, he has worn special contact lenses. These lenses give him excellent 20/15 vision in both eyes.
