Jermaine Dye

Jermaine Dye

Chicago White Sox — No. 23
Right field
Born: January 28 1974 (1974-01-28) (age 34)
Bats: Right	Throws: Right
Major League Baseball debut
May 17, 1996 for the Atlanta Braves
Selected MLB statistics (through October 15, 2007)
Batting average	.275
Home Runs	264
Runs Batted In	895
Runs	810
Slugging Percentage	.486
Teams
Atlanta Braves (1996) Kansas City Royals (1997-2001) Oakland Athletics (2001-2004) Chicago White Sox (2005- Present)

Jermaine Terrell Dye (born January 28, 1974 in Vacaville, California) is a right fielder in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox. Dye has also played with the Atlanta Braves (1996), Kansas City Royals (1997-2001), and Oakland Athletics (2001-04), joining the White Sox prior to the 2005 season. He bats and throws right-handed. Dye is said to have one of the strongest arms in the outfield.

Professional career

Dye attended Cosumnes River College in Sacramento, California, and was selected by Atlanta in the 17th round of the 1993 amateur draft. He went to high school at Will C. Wood High School in Vacaville. Dye began his major league career with the Atlanta Braves (hitting a home run in his first at-bat), and contributed to their 1996 National League championship and played in the 1996 World Series. He was traded to Kansas City on March 27, 1997. In 1999 Dye played in 158 games for the Royals, hitting 26 home runs. The next year he made the American League All-Star team. Dye was traded to the Oakland Athletics on July 25, 2001. After the trade, he posted a .913 OPS for Oakland, helping them clinch the division. In game 4 of the 2001 American League Division Series, Dye fouled a ball off his leg, shattering his fibula. Dye struggled to return to from the injury, posting modest numbers and missing 123 games over the next three seasons. Prior to the 2005 season, Dye was signed by the Chicago White Sox to a two-year, $10.15 million contract with an option for 2007.[1] In 2005, Dye played 145 games--the most he'd played since his injury. He hit 31 homers, had a .512 slugging percentage and stole 11 bases. Dye was named MVP of the 2005 World Series, having had a .438 batting average, one home run and three RBIs. His RBI single off Houston Astros closer Brad Lidge provided the deciding run in a 1-0 Game 4 victory, clinching the Series sweep. In 2006, Dye made it to his second All-Star game after a strong first half in which he hit .318 with 25 home runs and a .646 slugging percentage. Dye's 2006 season was by far the best he has had. He finished 2nd in the league in Home Runs (44), 5th in RBI's (120), and 12th in Batting Average (.315). He was awarded a Silver Slugger award for his performance in 2006. On Mother's Day, May 14, 2006, Dye was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat to benefit the Breast Cancer Foundation. On October 30, 2006, the White Sox exercised their $6.75 million option for Dye's 2007 season.^[1] He was signed to a two year extension in August 2007.

Highlights

• Two time All-Star (2000 & 2006)
• Gold Glove Award (2000)
• Two time American League Player of the Month (April 2000 & August 2001)
• 2005 World Series MVP
• 2006 American League Outstanding Player in the Players Choice Awards
• Top 5 MVP vote-receiver once (5th, 2006)
• Silver Slugger Award (2006)

2005 World Series playoffs

Paul Konerko caught the ball from Bobby Jenks to conclude the 2005 World Series and to conclude 88 years of frustration. Dye was named the playoff MVP for his performance throughout the playoffs against the Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Angels, and Houston Astros.

See also

• Top 500 home run hitters of all time
• Home run in first at-bat

Notes

External links

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