Miguel Tejada 754707 226118780 2008-07-16T22:09:45Z 65.34.60.77 {{Infobox MLB player| name=Miguel Tejada| image=Miguel Tejada.jpg| width=200| position=Shortstop| team=Houston Astros| number=10| bats=Right| throws=Right| birthdate={{birth date and age|1974|5|25}}<br>{{city-state|Bani|Dominican Republic}}| debutdate=August 27| debutyear=1997| debutteam=[[Oakland Athletics]]| statyear=June 11, 2008| stat1label=[[Batting average]]| stat1value=.288| stat2label=[[Home run]]s| stat2value=266| stat3label=[[Runs batted in]]| stat3value=1076| teams=<nowiki></nowiki> *[[Oakland Athletics]] ({{by|1997}}-{{by|2003}}) *[[Baltimore Orioles]] ({{by|2004}}-{{by|2007}}) *[[Houston Astros]] ({{by|2008}}-present) |awards= <nowiki></nowiki> * 5x [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] selection (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008) * 2x [[Silver Slugger Award]] winner (2004, 2005) * 2002 [[AL MVP]] * 2005 [[MLB All-Star Game MVP]] * 2004 [[Home Run Derby]] winner }} '''Miguel Odalis Tejada''' (born ''Miguel Odalis Tejeda'' on [[May 25]], [[1974]] <!-- This has already been corrected. Tejada previously claimed to have been born in 1976, so 1974 is correct. Please do not change it to 1972 --> in [[Baní]], [[Dominican Republic]])<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.imdb.com/name/nm1714108/bio|title=Miguel Tejada (II) - Biography|publisher=www.imdb.com|accessdate=2008-06-13}}</ref> is currently the [[shortstop]] of the [[Houston Astros]] [[Major League Baseball]] team. He began his first six seasons of his career with the [[Oakland Athletics]], where he began his streak of 1,152 [[MLB consecutive games played streaks|consecutive game]]s, that ended with the [[Baltimore Orioles]] on June 22, 2007. In 2002, he was awarded the [[AL MVP]] award, and he was the MVP of the [[2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2005 All-Star Game]]. Tejada entered the 2007 season with an active streak of eight straight 20 home-run seasons. His nickname is "La Gua Gua" for "The Bus" in Spanish as Tejada is known to drive in runs and drive his team to victory. ==Early life== Tejada grew up in extreme poverty in [[Baní]], a city approximately 40 miles (65 km) southwest of [[Santo Domingo]], capital of the [[Dominican Republic]]. Miguel Tejada grew up idolizing the Baltimore Orioles shortstop [[Cal Ripken Jr]].<ref>[http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A3079-2004Feb24.html Tejada Looks to Build on Ripken Legacy]</ref> At age 19 his childhood dream of playing professional baseball was realized when he signed with the [[Oakland Athletics]] for two thousand dollars, although at the time the organization believed him to be 17 years old. <ref>[http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Tejada/Tejada_bio.html Miguel Tejada's biography]</ref> ==Career== ===Oakland A's=== Tejada developed quickly into a top-notch prospect, showing early signs of power. He reached the Majors towards the end of the 1997 season, joining a struggling Oakland Athletics club. Though he only hit .202 in 26 games that year, the A's saw potential in the 23-year-old Tejada and gave him the starting shortstop job beginning in 1998. The A's, and Tejada, steadily improved over the next two years. His hitting improved as he gained more discipline at the plate. In 1998, he hit .233 with 11 [[home run]]s and in 1999 his average jumped to .251 with 21 home runs. After a solid 87-win campaign in 1999, Tejada and a core of young players led their A's to their first [[American League]] [[Western Division]] title in eight years in 2000. Bolstered by an [[MLB Most Valuable Player Award|American League MVP]]-winning performance by [[first baseman]] [[Jason Giambi]], and aided by Tejada's .275 average and 30 home runs, the A's won 91 games. The A's faced the [[New York Yankees]] in the first round of the postseason, which was won by the Yankees 3-2 in Oakland. The Yankees would go on to win the [[World Series]] that year, their fourth championship in five years. In 2001, Tejada had a comparable offensive year, hitting .267 with 31 homers. The A's captured the American League [[wild card (sports)|wild card]] with a 102-60 record. In the postseason, however, the A's fell to the Yankees in five games, blowing an initial 2-0 series lead. Tejada's breakout year came in 2002. With the departure of Jason Giambi to the New York Yankees during the offseason, and a leg injury to slugger [[Jermaine Dye]], the A's lost two of their key offensive players. Tejada hit .308 with 34 homers and led the A's to their second Western Division title in three years. Their campaign included an American League record 20 game win-streak. Tejada contributed one-out, game-winning hits in the 18th and 19th games of that run: a three-run homer off [[Minnesota Twins]] closer [[Eddie Guardado]] for a 7-5 victory and a bases-loaded single against [[Kansas City Royals]] reliever [[Jason Grimsley]] to break a 6-6 tie. Tejada also showed modest speed on the basepaths with 18 steals over a two-year stretch. His performance was rewarded with the 2002 American League MVP award. For the third straight year, though, the A's fell in the fifth game of the ALDS, this time to the [[Minnesota Twins]]. The next year, both the A's and Tejada got off to a slow start, with the shortstop hitting under [[Mendoza line|.200]] for the first month of the season. Improved play in the second half of the season led the A's to their second straight Western Division title and their third in four years. Tejada hit .278 with 27 homers for the year, a decrease from his numbers in 2002, but still leading many offensive categories for shortstops. In a tension-filled series, the powerful offense of the [[Boston Red Sox]] narrowly edged out the A's in the first round, once again in five games. Tejada was known for his public display of anger toward Boston starting pitcher [[Derek Lowe]] at the series' conclusion for what he perceived as obscene gestures. Lowe denied the accusation, claiming his fist pump was in celebration only. By the end of the 2003 season, Tejada had established himself as one of baseball's premier shortstops. The A's elected not to resign the free agent, citing budget concerns and a young [[Bobby Crosby]] coming through the system, so Tejada signed a six-year, $72 million deal with the Baltimore Orioles during the offseason. ===Baltimore Orioles=== As an Oriole, Tejada followed in the footsteps of legendary Baltimore shortstop [[Cal Ripken Jr.]]. Like Ripken, Tejada is a strong and durable shortstop with unusual power numbers for a middle infielder. Ripken currently holds baseball's record for consecutive games played at 2,632. Tejada played in his 1,000th [[MLB consecutive games played streaks|consecutive game]] on July 1, 2006. Tejada's streak was at 1,151 games when he was hit on his left wrist by a pitch on June 20, 2007. The next day, he went up to bunt in the top of the first inning, bunted into a force play, and was replaced by a pinch runner. Following that game, it was announced that he had a broken wrist. On June 22nd he was placed on the disabled list, ending his streak at 1,152 consecutive games, the fifth longest in Major League history, behind Cal Ripken (2632), Lou Gehrig (2130). Everett Scott (1307). and Steve Garvey (1217).<ref>{{cite news |first=Spencer |last=Fordin |title=Streak over: Tejada placed on DL |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070622&content_id=2042946&vkey=news_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb |publisher=[[MLB.com]]|date=June 22, 2007 |accessdate=2007-07-28}}</ref> [[Image:800px-Miguel_Tejada2.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Tejada batting when he played for the [[Baltimore Orioles]]]] [[Image:Tejada press.jpg|thumb|250px|left|Miguel Tejada talks to reporter Kelli Johnson 2005.]] On July 12, 2004, Tejada won the [[Century 21]] [[Home Run Derby]] in [[Houston]]. Tejada hit a record 27 [[home runs]] in the contest, including a record 15 homers in the second round. He defeated [[Houston Astros]] outfielder [[Lance Berkman]] (whom would later become his teammate) 5-4 in the final round of the contest. Both records were broken the following year in [[Detroit]] by [[Bobby Abreu]]. Tejada led the league with 150 RBIs in 2004. While Tejada did not participate in the Home Run Derby in 2005, he was an [[2005 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] and starter for the [[American League|AL]]. In his first All-Star start, Tejada hit a solo [[home run]] against [[John Smoltz]] of the [[Atlanta Braves]], had a sacrifice RBI and was part of an all-Oriole double play with teammate [[Brian Roberts]]. His efforts earned him the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star MVP]], winning a [[Chevrolet Corvette]]. On December 8, 2005, it was widely reported by the [[Associated Press]] that Tejada asked the Orioles for a trade, citing unhappiness with the team's direction. Tejada challenged those statements in an interview with [[Comcast]] Sportsnet's Kelli Johnson, saying he only asked for a better team, referring to his hope that the Baltimore Orioles would improve after their eighth straight losing season. Several weeks later, Tejada reiterated his complaints with the Orioles' lack of action and demanded to be traded, sparking immediate rumors of a trade to the [[Boston Red Sox]] for pitcher [[Matt Clement]] and outfielder [[Manny Ramírez]]. Tejada stated that he wants a "good group that helps me to win" and commented briefly on his alleged non-involvement in Palmeiro's steroid scandal. Rumors went around in early 2006 that Tejada might be traded to the Red Sox or Cubs. But on January 7, 2006, Tejada stated his intent to remain with Baltimore for "the rest of [his] career." This statement was made to Orioles Vice President [[Jim Duquette]] in a meeting arranged by mutual friend and teammate [[Melvin Mora]]. It was reported that Tejada was claimed by the [[Chicago White Sox]] off trade waivers, but the two teams did not make a deal for Tejada to go to [[Chicago]]. ===Houston Astros=== On December 12, 2007, Tejada was dealt to the [[Houston Astros]] for five players, including SP [[Troy Patton]], OF [[Luke Scott]] and SP [[Matt Albers]].<ref>{{cite news |author = |title = Tejada traded to Astros, Orioles to receive five players for former AL MVP |url = http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/baseball/mlb/12/12/tejada.trade.ap/index.html |publisher = ''[[SI.com]]'' |date = 2007-12-12 |accessdate = 2007-12-12 }}</ref>. The Astros then opted against the renewal of shotstop, [[Adam Everett]]'s contract, ensuring Tejada's place and role on the team. Tejada scored his 1000th career run on July 7, 2008 at [[PNC Park]]. In the 2008 All-Star Game Tejada singled leading off the top of the eighth stole second with one out and advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on Padres' first baseman Adrian Gonzalez's sacrifice fly. ==Controversies== ===Steroid allegations=== On September 22, 2005, [[ESPN]] reported that [[Rafael Palmeiro]], who had tested positive for steroids and was suspended for 10 games under Major League Baseball's steroid policy, implicated Tejada to baseball's arbitration panel, suggesting that a supplement given to him by Tejada was responsible for the steroid entering his system. Tejada has denied the allegations,<ref>{{cite news | url = http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=2169007 | title = Palmeiro named Tejada before panel | publisher = [[ESPN]] | date = [[2005-09-23]] | accessdate = 2006-10-04 }}</ref> saying that the only thing he gave Palmeiro was vitamin B-12, a completely legal substance under current MLB policy. On September 24, 2005, the ''[[Baltimore Sun]]'' reported that "''The Health Policy Advisory Committee, which oversees baseball's testing policy, issued a statement that exonerated Tejada and chastised the media for reporting that he might have distributed steroids to another player.''"<ref>http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/baseball/bal-sp.palmeiro24sep24,1,3325405.story?coll=bal-home-headlines:Cite_Sources</ref> In [[José Canseco]]'s 2005 book, ''[[Juiced: Wild Times, Rampant 'Roids, Smash Hits & How Baseball Got Big]]'', he mentions that he believes Tejada might have taken steroids. He claims to have spoken to him about them and the next season seeing him at spring training looking more defined. He never claims to have injected him with them, like he did with Palmeiro, McGwire and other ballplayers. On September 30, 2006 the ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that former relief pitcher [[Jason Grimsley]], during a June 6, 2006 federal raid, told federal agents investigating steroids in baseball named Tejada as a user of "[[anabolic steroids]]." The ''Times'' reported that Tejada was one of five names blacked out in an affidavit filed in federal court.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-clemens1oct01,0,6499528.story?coll=la-home-headlines |title=Clemens Is Named in Drug Affidavit |last=Pugmire |first=Lance |accessdate=2006-10-01 |date=[[2006-10-01]] |publisher=[[Los Angeles Times]] }}</ref> However, on October 3, 2006, the ''[[Washington Post]]'' reported that [[San Francisco]] United States attorney Kevin Ryan said that the ''Los Angeles Times'' report contained "significant inaccuracies."<ref name = WashingtonPost> {{cite news | url = http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/10/02/AR2006100201054.html | title = U.S. Attorney Says Report Alleging Drug Use Contains 'Inaccuracies' | publisher = [[Washington Post]] | page = E02 | date = [[2006-10-03]] | accessdate = 2006-10-04 }}</ref> Tejada, along with the other four players named, has denounced the story.<ref name = WashingtonPost/> On December 13, 2007, Tejada was mentioned in the [[Mitchell Report (baseball)|Mitchell Report]] in connection to [[steroids]]. In the report, Tejada is said to have received $1,500 worth of [[steroids]]<ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=3357337</ref> A report surfaced on January 15, 2008 stating that Rep. [[Henry Waxman]] had asked the Justice Department to investigate whether Tejada was truthful when speaking to the House committee when being interviewed in 2005 regarding possible connections to Rafael Palmeiro.<ref>[http://ap.google.com/article/ALeqM5i3YSGVqmBcRKjK4HbkCTZG0bgB6gD8U6EFP01 The Associated Press: Congress Asks for Tejada Perjury Probe<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>[http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0116/p02s02-usgn.html Pro baseball is urged to keep focus on antidrug policies | csmonitor.com<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> Despite all the allegations of steroids and HGH usage, Tejada was named to the 2008 National League All-Star team as a reserve. ===Age=== On April 17, 2008, Tejada was confronted by an ESPN reporter during an interview who revealed that Tejada had been lying about his age ever since he first signed a Major League Baseball contract in 1993. Tejada had claimed to have been born in 1976 when a Dominican birth certificate showed that he was born in 1974. That birth certificate also shows the spelling of his surname as "Tejeda" rather than "Tejada". <ref>http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?id=3357337</ref> <ref>[http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/5708800.html Tejada two years older than Astros thought]</ref> ==Personal life== During the MLB offseason, Tejada resides in the Dominican Republic with his wife, Alessandra, his daughter, Alexa, and his son, Miguel Jr. He also plays for the [[Aguilas Cibaenas]], [[Dominican Winter league]] team during the MLB offseason. ==See also== * [[Top 500 home run hitters of all time]] * [[Major League Baseball hitters with three home runs in one game]] * [[MLB consecutive games played streaks]] * [[List of players from Dominican Republic in Major League Baseball]] * [[List of Major League Baseball RBI champions]] * [[List of Major League Baseball doubles champions]] * [[List of Baltimore Orioles Opening Day Starting Lineups]] * [[List of Major League Baseball players named in the Mitchell Report]] ==References == {{reflist}} ==External links== {{Commonscat|Miguel Tejada}} {{Baseballstats | mlb=123173 | espn=3727 | br=t/tejadmi01 | fangraphs=941 | cube=T/Miguel-Tejada}} *[http://www.jockbio.com/Bios/Tejada/Tejada_bio.html In-depth biography] {| class="toccolours collapsible collapsed" width=45% align="center" |- ! style="background:#ccccff"| Accomplishments |- | {{start box}} {{succession box | before = [[Ichiro Suzuki]] | title = [[MLB Most Valuable Player award|American League Most Valuable Player]]| years = {{by|2002}} | after = [[Alex Rodriguez]]}} {{succession box | before = [[Garret Anderson]] | title = [[Home Run Derby|Home Run Derby Champion]]| years = {{by|2004}} | after = [[Bobby Abreu]]}} {{succession box | title=[[List of Major League Baseball RBI champions|American League RBI Champion]] | before=[[Carlos Delgado]] | years={{by|2004}}| after= [[David Ortiz]]}} {{succession box | title=[[Major League Baseball All-Star Game]]<br> Most Valuable Player| before= [[Alfonso Soriano]] | years={{by|2005}}| after= [[Michael Young (baseball player)|Michael Young]]}} {{end box}} |} {{AL MVPs}} {{Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVPs}} {{Home Run Derby champions}} {{Houston Astros roster navbox}} {{Oakland Athletics}} {{Dominican Republic 2006 World Baseball Classic Roster}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Tejada, Miguel}} [[Category:1974 births]] [[Category:Living people]] [[Category:Major league shortstops]] [[Category:Dominican Republic baseball players]] [[Category:Oakland Athletics players]] [[Category:Baltimore Orioles players]] [[Category:Houston Astros players]] [[Category:American League All-Stars]] [[Category:American League RBI champions]] [[Category:National League All-Stars]] [[Category:Major League Baseball All-Star Game MVPs]] [[es:Miguel Tejada]] [[fr:Miguel Tejada]] [[ja:ミゲル・テハダ]] [[zh:米格爾·特哈達]]