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**John McDonald**
John McDonald
;
	Toronto Blue Jays — No. 6
	Shortstop
	Born: September 24, 1974 (age 35); New London, Connecticut
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
	July 4, 1999 for the Cleveland Indians
Career statistics; (through September 2, 2009)
Batting average	.237
Hits	388
Runs scored	189
Home runs	10
Runs batted in	124
Teams
	Cleveland Indians (1999-2004); Toronto Blue Jays (2005); Detroit Tigers (2005); Toronto Blue Jays (2006-present);

McDonald at bat

John Joseph McDonald (born September 24, 1974 in New London, Connecticut) is a Major League Baseball infielder who plays for the Toronto Blue Jays, who is primarily known for his defensive abilities. He was also a member of one of the last baseball teams for Providence College before the team was disbanded. McDonald is a graduate of East Lyme High School in East Lyme, Connecticut.

[edit] Early career

MacDonald was drafted in the 12th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball Draft by the Cleveland Indians. He made his MLB debut for Cleveland on July 4, 1999. On December 2, 2004, McDonald was traded from Cleveland to the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for future considerations (Tom Mastny) [1].

McDonald was primarily a backup for Russ Adams at shortstop, and recorded a .290 batting average and .340 OBP in 93 at bats for the Blue Jays to go along with 5 stolen bases. He was traded from the Blue Jays to the Detroit Tigers on July 22, 2005 for future considerations. [2]. McDonald hit .260 with a .308 OBP for Detroit in 73 at bats. He was traded from the Tigers back to the Toronto Blue Jays on November 10, 2005, for cash considerations. [3].

[edit] 2006 season

During the 2006 season, he became the starting shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays. On July 25, 2006, McDonald hit his first career grand slam in a game against the Seattle Mariners.

[edit] 2007 season

McDonald started the 2007 season by sharing the shortstop position with Royce Clayton, who had been obtained in the off-season. He also played games at third base as Troy Glaus's backup. Later in the season after showing his strong defensive abilities, McDonald replaced Royce Clayton as the everyday starting shortstop. Clayton was then released and McDonald took his role as starting shortstop, often contributing exceptional defensive plays (in conjunction with fellow infielders Aaron Hill and Lyle Overbay). He was considered by the media as a contender to win a Gold Glove after leading AL shortstops in fielding percentage (.986) in 2007. Due in large part to his displays in the field, he received a 2-year contract extension from the Blue Jays - the deal was reportedly worth 3.8 million US.

In a poll of the viewers of the Canadian sports station Rogers Sportsnet, which broadcasts the majority of the Blue Jays' games, John McDonald was voted the most popular Blue Jay, narrowly edging out Roy Halladay.

[edit] 2008 season

Due to the off-season signing of all-star shortstop David Eckstein, despite his contract extension, McDonald was again set to be the backup shortstop. With the departure of David Eckstein in late August, to the Arizona Diamondbacks, he once again assumed the starting role.

[edit] 2009 season

In the 2009 season McDonald was again the backup, this time behind shortstop Marco Scutaro. Employed as a utility player in September, McDonald once again moved to first position shortstop due to a late season injury to Scutaro.

On November 25, The Toronto Blue Jays resigned McDonald to a 2 year 3 million dollar contract to return to the club in 2010.

[edit] External links

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

List of baseball nicknames