Chris Woodward
Woodward, playing for the Braves in 2007
Free Agent — No. --
Infielder
Born: June 27, 1976 (1976-06-27) (age 33) Covina, California
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 7, 1999 for the Toronto Blue Jays
Career statistics (through July 17, 2009)
Batting average	.243
Home runs	33
Runs batted in	191
Teams
Toronto Blue Jays (1999-2004) New York Mets (2005-2006) Atlanta Braves (2007) Seattle Mariners (2009) Boston Red Sox (2009)

Christopher Michael Woodward (born June 27, 1976 in Covina, California) is a free agent Major League Baseball infielder.

[edit] Baseball career

[edit] Toronto Blue Jays

Woodward attended Mt. San Antonio College before being selected by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 54th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut on June 7, 1999, hitting a sacrifice fly in an 8-2 loss to the New York Mets.

From 2002 through 2004, Woodward was the starting shortstop in about half of Toronto's games. On August 7, 2002, he achieved a rare feat by hitting three home runs in one game as a shortstop (the first as a Blue Jay and the 15th overall).^[1] After an injury-plagued and difficult offensive season in 2004, the Blue Jays released him.

[edit] New York Mets

In 2005, Woodward signed with the New York Mets. Woodward was the epitome of flexibility, playing at seven different positions including the entire infield and performing well off the bench and as a starter and even managed two game-winning hits. In 2006, he struggled with injuries and the Mets chose not to re-sign him.

[edit] Atlanta Braves

On December 20, 2006, Woodward agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves.^[2] He went through a huge down season in Atlanta however, hitting an MLB-position player worst .199 with only one homer.

[edit] Yankees, Phillies, and Brewers

On February 8, 2008, Woodward signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees. He was released on March 26 and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on March 28, 2008, where he was assigned to the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. On May 2, 2008 Woodward was released. He signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on May 31, 2008, and was assigned to Triple-A Nashville. He became a free agent following the season.

[edit] Mariners and Red Sox

He signed a minor league contract with the Seattle Mariners in 2009. On June 19, 2009, Woodward made his debut for the Mariners in their 4-3 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he was 2 for 4 in that game with a stolen base and a run scored. On August 4, Woodward was designated for assignment to make way for Adrián Beltré who was activated from the 15-day disabled list the same day. On August 7, Woodward was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox only to be designated for assignment eight days later on August 15, due to the acquisition of Álex González. He was later optioned to the AAA Pawtucket Red Sox and would be called up in September when rosters expanded.

[edit] Personal life

Woodward is married to Erin Woodward, with whom he has three children, a daughter named Sophie (born 2002), an adopted son named Mason (born 2007) and a son named Grady (born 2009). He resides in Palm Harbor, Florida. In 2004, Woodward was featured in an episode of Degrassi: The Next Generation.

[edit] See also

• Major League Baseball hitters with three home runs in one game

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Career statistics and player information from MLB, or ESPN, or Baseball-Reference, or Fangraphs, or The Baseball Cube