Chris Woodward turns 49 today.
The Blue Jays picked Woodward in the 54th round of the 1994 draft. He’s the only player from that round, that year, to make it to the majors. He arrived in Toronto in 1999 and played as a utility infielder for us over the next six seasons. His best year was 2002, when he played 90 games, hitting 13 home runs, 45 RBI, and posting a .276/.330/.468 batting line, the only time he would slug over .400 in his career.
After the 2004 season, he signed with the Mets as a free agent. After that, he bounced around, playing a bit for the Braves, Mariners, Red Sox, and Mariners again. Then, before the 2011 season, the Jays signed him to a minor league contract. He played Triple-A for the Jays in 2011 and 2012, getting a couple of call-ups in 2011 and earning ten at-bats.
Chris Woodward’s career is a testament to his dedication and love for the game. In 659 MLB games, he has 33 home runs, 191 RBI and a .239/.296/.365 line. His journey from being picked in the 54th round of the draft to becoming a respected figure in the baseball world is truly inspiring.
My affection was dampened when he became manager of the Rangers in 2019. He managed them for four seasons, compiling a 211-287 record. He’s now a special assistant for the Dodgers.
Happy Birthday, Chris. I hope it is a good one.