Days of On-Field Glory during the Decade of 2000 thru 2009 and a few years longer

Players Bios by Baseball Historian

Brian Roberts … Justin Morneau … Bronson Arroyo … Lance Berkman … Cody Ransom

Brian Roberts Baltimore Orioles Second Baseman Switch-hitter - One of the leading second baseman of this time frame, Brian Roberts is an outstanding batsman, base runner, and defensive star. He debuted into the majors with the Orioles in 2001 and is still with them as we go into the 2011 season. The Orioles leadoff hitter his offensive and defensive stats speak for themselves. Look at 2007 for example – Brian Roberts led all American League second basemen with 50 stolen bases, with 89 runs scored, with 621 at bats and his .290 batting average was above most players.

Justin Morneau Minnesota Twins First Baseman LH – A power-hitting first baseman, Justin Morneau certainly is one of the top players in the majors. He broke into the big leagues with the Twins back in 2003 and quickly became a fans favorite. Born in Canada. In 2006 Justin Morneau was voted the American League Most Valuable Player (MVP) and that year he reached career highs in batting average with .321, in runs scored with 97, in RBIs with 130 and in slugging percentage with .559. One of the leagues top clutch-hitters he finished 2^nd to Dustin Pedroia in the AL MVP voting in 2008 – .300 batting, 23 HR and 129 RBIs.

Bronson Arroyo Cincinnati Reds Starting Pitcher RH – Bronson Arroyo delivers some pitches from a three/quarters pitching motion, including a sweeping slider that comes on the right-side of home plate ends up in the catcher’s mitt on the opposite side (on left). He broke into the majors with Pittsburgh where he spent 3 seasons as starter and reliever, 2000-02. He signed a free-agent contract with Red Sox where he pitched, 2003-05 mainly as a starter. In his last 2 years in Boston, and continuing after he joined the Cincinnati Reds in ’06, he became one of the league’s workhorses – from 2004 thru 2008 Bronson Arroyo pitched 178.2 innings … 205.1 … 240.2 … 210.2 … 200 innings. As a fact from 2008 thru 2010, he was one of just 5 major league pitchers to win at least 15 games in each of those seasons.

Lance Berkman Houston Astros First Baseman / Outfielder Switch Hitter – Debuted into the majors in 1999 and became a starter in the Astros outfield the next season. In 2000, his first full season, he lined 28 doubles, 21 homers, drove in 67 runs in only 353 at bats. In 2001 Lance Berkman hit a career-high in batting average with .331. In 2002 he had stats approaching a MVP season, which he missed out on. He lined 42 homers (3^rd highest in NL) a .578 slugging pct (6^th highest) and 79 extra base hits (3^rd). In 2006 he belted a career high 45 homers and high of 136 RBI. In 2008 Lance Berkman scored a career high 114 runs. In later years he was moved to first base and joined the St. Louis Cardinals. As of May 7 2011 Lance Berkman was leading the majors with 32 RBIs and was 2^nd in the majors with 10 homers and was 2^nd in the majors with a torrid .392 batting average – trailing teammate Matt Holliday (.410) of the first place NL Central St. Louis.

Cody Ransom San Francisco Giants  / New York Yankees Shortstop RH – Cody Ransom has played mostly in the minors and is a proven power hitting shortstop. Born in Mesa Arizona, he played 4 years with SF Giants as reserve shortstop, 2001-04, playing in 114 games and had a .238 batting average with 2 homers. In 2006 and ’07 he found power – hit 21 HR with 62 RBI and 28 home runs with 90 RBIs in Triple-A baseball. In late ’07 Cody Ransom had 8 at bats with the Houston Astros and in ’08 with Yankees hit .302 with 4 HR in 43 at bats as reserve infielder. Cody Ransom certainly has had his Days of On-Field Major League Glory that most fans can only dream about!

Baseball Historian

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