Eric Bruntlett
Free Agent — No. --
Utility player
Born: March 29, 1978 (1978-03-29) (age 31) Lafayette, Indiana
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
June 27, 2003 for the Houston Astros
Career statistics (through 2009)
Batting average	.231
Home runs	11
Runs batted in	72
Stolen bases	31
Teams
Houston Astros (2003-2007) Philadelphia Phillies (2008-2009)
Career highlights and awards
World Series champion (2008) Unassisted triple play (August 23, 2009)

Eric Kevin Bruntlett (born March 29, 1978, in Lafayette, Indiana) is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently a free agent. He is known for his defensive versatility; he usually plays second base or shortstop, but has also played left field. Bruntlett has played every position except for catcher and pitcher. On August 23, 2009, he fielded the first game-ending unassisted triple play in National League history.

Contents 1 High school 2 College 3 Minor leagues 3.1 2000 3.2 2001 3.3 2002 3.4 2003 4 Major leagues 4.1 2004 4.2 2005 4.3 2006 4.4 2007 4.5 2008 4.6 2009 5 References 6 External links

[edit] High school

Bruntlett is a 1996 graduate of Harrison High School in West Lafayette, IN where he was a two-time All-Indiana selection in both baseball and football. He was inducted into the Harrison HS Hall of Fame in 2005.

[edit] College

Bruntlett graduated from Stanford University with a degree in economics. He helped the Cardinal to three appearances in the College World Series, including the title game in 2000. In addition, his teams won at least a share of four Pac-10 titles. Bruntlett was named to the NCAA Regional All-Tournament team twice (1999 & 2000).

[edit] Minor leagues

[edit] 2000

After hitting .342 for Stanford, Bruntlett was selected by Houston Astros in the 9th Round (277th overall) of the 2000 amateur entry draft in June. Bruntlett hit .273 with 14 stolen bases in 50 games for the Martinsville Astros, Houston's rookie league affiliate in the Appalachian League.

[edit] 2001

Bruntlett advanced quickly through the Astros' minor league system, starting the season off with the AA Texas League's Round Rock Express, where he hit .266 with 23 steals. He finished the season at AAA New Orleans in the Pacific Coast League

[edit] 2002

Once again began the season at Round Rock, where he hit .265 with 35 SB and finished the season with another short stint in New Orleans.

[edit] 2003

Played the first half of the season in New Orleans where he hit .259. Was called up to the major league club and made his debut on June 27. Appeared in 31 games, also hitting .259 for the Astros.

[edit] Major leagues

[edit] 2004

Recalled from Triple A New Orleans on Aug. 7 when Adam Everett was placed on the Disabled List. Batted .250 with four home runs and eight RBIs in 45 games with the Astros. Appeared in six postseason games.

[edit] 2005

Hit .220 in 91 games with four home runs and 14 RBIs. Played games at seven different positions (all but catcher and pitcher). Played in 10 postseason games, including 2 World Series games against the White Sox.

[edit] 2006

Eric hit .277 in 73 games for the Astros. Hit .412 (7 for 17) with four RBIs as a pinch-hitter. Was optioned to Round Rock on 8/2 but was quickly recalled on 8/27. Started 22 games at 5 positions, including 12 starts at shortstop.

[edit] 2007

Was recalled to the major league club and became the starting shortstop when Adam Everett went down on June 14 with a broken fibula. Bruntlett hit .246 with 14 RBIs on the season, seeing time at shortstop, third base, and the outfield.

On November 7, 2007, Bruntlett was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Brad Lidge for Geoff Geary, Michael Bourn, and Mike Costanzo.^[1]

[edit] 2008

Bruntlett hit .217 with 46 hits, 2 home runs, and 15 RBIs.

His biggest mark was left in the post-season. He hit a home run in Game 2 of the World Series followed by a game winning run in Game 3 of the World Series. Bruntlett would cap off his World Series performance by scoring the series-clinching run in Game 5, allowing the Phillies to win their first World Series since 1980 and second overall.

[edit] 2009

Bruntlett performed the fifteenth unassisted triple play of the modern era in the bottom of the ninth inning on August 23, against the New York Mets at Citi Field, when he caught a line drive from Jeff Francoeur, tagged second base to double off Luis Castillo, and tagged Daniel Murphy as he was running to second base. Both Castillo and Murphy had reached base on misplays by Bruntlett.^[2] It was the second game-ending unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history and the first in the National League, preserving a 9–7 Phillies win.^[3] The Hall of Fame asked Bruntlett for a piece of memorabilia from the play and Bruntlett chose to send his jersey.^[4] Rather than accepting an assignment to Triple-A, Bruntlett was released by the Phillies on November 16.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Baseball Reference

v • d • e Philadelphia Phillies 2008 World Series Champions 4 Eric Bruntlett | 5 Pat Burrell | 6 Ryan Howard | 7 Pedro Feliz | 8 Shane Victorino | 10 Geoff Jenkins | 11 Jimmy Rollins | 12 Matt Stairs | 16 J. C. Romero | 19 Greg Dobbs | 21 Adam Eaton | 26 Chase Utley | 27 Chris Coste | 28 Jayson Werth | 35 Cole Hamels (World Series MVP) | 37 Chad Durbin | 38 Kyle Kendrick | 39 Brett Myers | 43 J. A. Happ | 45 Tom Gordon | 47 Scott Eyre | 50 Jamie Moyer | 51 Carlos Ruiz | 54 Brad Lidge | 55 Clay Condrey | 56 Joe Blanton | 57 Rudy Seánez | 63 Ryan Madson | 99 So Taguchi Manager 41 Charlie Manuel Bench Coach 22 Jimy Williams | 1st Base Coach 15 Davey Lopes | 3rd Base Coach 2 Steve Smith | Hitting Coach 25 Milt Thompson | Pitching Coach 30 Rich Dubee | Bullpen Coach 31 Ramon Henderson | Catching Instructor 17 Mick Billmeyer | GM Pat Gillick Regular season • National League Division Series • National League Championship Series