Josh Willingham
Josh Willingham
Washington Nationals — No. 16
Left fielder / Right fielder
Born: February 17, 1979 (1979-02-17) (age 30) Florence, Alabama
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
MLB debut
July 6, 2004 for the Florida Marlins
Career statistics (through 2009)
Batting average	.264
Home runs	87
Runs batted in	280
Teams
Florida Marlins (2004-2008) Washington Nationals (2009-present)
Career highlights and awards
Hit two grand slams in one game

Joshua David Willingham (born February 17, 1979 in Florence, Alabama) is an American Major League Baseball player for the Washington Nationals. He is nicknamed "The Hammer." A power-hitting prospect for six minor league seasons, Willingham has been held back by his injuries. Drafted as a shortstop, and coming up as a third baseman, he moved behind home plate to become a catcher. He is now the primary right fielder for the Nationals.

[edit] Career

[edit] Florida Marlins

Willingham was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the 17th round of the 2000 amateur draft. He was one of several hopeful 2006 National League Rookie of the Year Candidates with the Florida Marlins, along with shortstop Hanley Ramirez and first baseman Mike Jacobs, as well as many other of the Marlins' prospects such as Dan Uggla. On April 4, Willingham recorded his first career multi-homer game, launching two against the Houston Astros. In 2007 Willingham hit 21 home runs with 89 runs batted in.

[edit] Washington Nationals

On November 11, 2008, Willingham was traded to the Washington Nationals along with pitcher Scott Olsen for Emilio Bonifacio, Jake Smolinski, and P.J. Dean .^[1]

On July 27, 2009 Willingham hit two grand slams in the same game against the Milwaukee Brewers. He became the 13th player in major league history to accomplish this feat. Willingham was the 7th player to hit the home runs in consecutive innings.^[2]

[edit] Personal

Willingham batting for the Marlins in June 2007.

He was born in Florence, Alabama where he played high school baseball and basketball at Mars Hill Bible School and collegiate baseball at the University of North Alabama. He is a member of Sigma Chi fraternity, Eta Rho Chapter. He is married to Ginger Willingham and they have a son Rhett Willingham.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

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