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{{Infobox MLB player
{{Infobox MLB player
| name = Adam Dunn
| name = Adam Dunn (Strikeout King)
| image = Adam Dunn on August 8, 2011.jpg
| image = Adam Dunn on August 8, 2011.jpg
| width = 220
| width = 220
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===Chicago White Sox===
===Chicago White Sox===
On December 2, 2010, Dunn agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract with the [[Chicago White Sox]].<ref>{{cite news|last=van Dyck|first=Dave|title=Free-spending Sox sign Dunn, Pierzynski, hope to bring back Konerko|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/ct-spt-1203-white-sox-chicago--20101202,0,3230574.story|accessdate=December 3, 2010|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=December 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101202&content_id=16242468&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Dunn deal: White Sox unveil new slugger |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date= |accessdate=October 14, 2011}}</ref> On April 6, 2011 Dunn underwent an [[apendectomy]] which caused him to miss five games. Dunn struggled throughout the 2011 season, leading to reduced playing time as the year proceeded. He ended the season with a .159 average and 177 strikeouts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adam Dunn Game by Game Stats and Performance|url=http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/4808/adam-dunn}}</ref> If Dunn had qualified for the batting title (he needed six more plate appearances), his .159 average would have been the lowest batting average by a qualified player since [[Bill Bergen]] hit .139 as a starter for the 1909 [[History of the Brooklyn Dodgers|Brooklyn Superbas]].
On December 2, 2010, Dunn agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract with the [[Chicago White Sox]].<ref>{{cite news|last=van Dyck|first=Dave|title=Free-spending Sox sign Dunn, Pierzynski, hope to bring back Konerko|url=http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/baseball/whitesox/ct-spt-1203-white-sox-chicago--20101202,0,3230574.story|accessdate=December 3, 2010|newspaper=Chicago Tribune|date=December 2, 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101202&content_id=16242468&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Dunn deal: White Sox unveil new slugger |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |date= |accessdate=October 14, 2011}}</ref> On April 6, 2011 Dunn underwent an [[apendectomy]] which caused him to miss five games. Dunn struggled throughout the 2011 season, leading to reduced playing time as the year proceeded. He ended the season with a .159 average and 177 strikeouts.<ref>{{cite web|title=Adam Dunn Game by Game Stats and Performance|url=http://espn.go.com/mlb/player/gamelog/_/id/4808/adam-dunn}}</ref> If Dunn had qualified for the batting title (he needed six more plate appearances), his .159 average would have been the lowest batting average by a qualified player since [[Bill Bergen]] hit .139 as a starter for the 1909 [[History of the Brooklyn Dodgers|Brooklyn Superbas]]. After the 2011 career, MLB decided that Adam Dunn should be MVP. Obviously, they finally came to their senses. Adam Dunn was nominated MVP because he achieved a record that all others deemed impossible. He realized that if he gave up all hope, he can recieve the most stike outs in the league.


Through 2011, he led all active left fielders in career errors, with 60.<ref>[http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/E_lf_active.shtml]</ref>
Through 2011, he led all active left fielders in career errors, with 60.<ref>[http://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/E_lf_active.shtml]</ref>

Revision as of 16:57, 18 October 2011

Adam Dunn (Strikeout King)
Chicago White Sox – No. 32
Outfielder / First baseman / Designated Hitter
Born: (1979-11-09) November 9, 1979 (age 44)
Houston, Texas
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
debut
July 20, 2001, for the Cincinnati Reds
Career statistics
(through 2011)
Batting average.243
Hits1,312
Home runs365
Runs batted in922
Strikeouts1,809
Base on Balls1,065
Slugging percentage.503
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Adam Troy Dunn (born November 9, 1979, in Houston, Texas), nicknamed "Big Donkey",[1] is an American Major League Baseball first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter for the Chicago White Sox. He bats left-handed and throws right-handed.

He is six feet, six inches (198 cm) in height and weighing 285 pounds.[2] On July 4, 2009, he became the 123rd player to hit 300 career home runs.

Amateur career

Dunn was a standout quarterback at New Caney High School in Texas. After graduating from high school, the Cincinnati Reds drafted Dunn in the second round (50th overall) of the 1998 Major League Baseball Draft. Dunn had previously committed to play football for the University of Texas. The Reds and Dunn agreed to a deal which allowed him to play minor league baseball during the summer, and return to Austin in August to prepare for football. Dunn redshirted his freshman season and served as a backup to Major Applewhite. When star recruit Chris Simms committed to Texas, Dunn was asked to move to the tight end position. As a result, he left the Longhorns to concentrate on baseball in 1999.[citation needed]

Professional career

Despite his high strikeout totals, Dunn exhibits good plate discipline. He has been among the major league leaders every season in number of pitches per at bat. His career batting average is slightly under .250, but he has nonetheless compiled a career on-base percentage above .380. He is annually among the league leaders in both bases on balls and strikeouts.

Dunn has the fifth-lowest career at bats per home run average in Major-League history. His 13.96 ratio (about one home run every 14 times he comes to bat) is eclipsed only by Mark McGwire (10.61), Babe Ruth (11.76), Barry Bonds (12.90), and Jim Thome (13.68). Stretching behind Dunn are such Hall-of-Famers as Ralph Kiner, Harmon Killebrew, Ted Williams, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, and Mike Schmidt, respectively.

Dunn during 2008 spring training.

Cincinnati Reds

Dunn made his Major League debut on July 20, 2001, and set a National League rookie record for the most home runs in a month by hitting 12 in August.

In 2002, Adam Dunn had a career-high 128 walks and a .400 on base percentage. During that same year, he was selected to the 2002 National League All-Star team. In that game, Dunn hit a ball to center field that was a few feet from being a game ending home run (the game famously ended in a tie). He also walked in his only other plate appearance.

Dunn's most productive season came in 2004, when he posted career highs in batting average (.266), home runs (46), runs (105), hits (151),, slugging average (.569), and OPS (.957). On September 30, 2004, Dunn once again got his name in Major League Baseball's record book. That day, Dunn struck out three times against Chicago Cubs right-hander Mark Prior, raising his season total to 191 and surpassing Bobby Bonds' single season strikeout record of 189, set in 1970. He finished the season with 195 strikeouts. He held the record until Ryan Howard broke it on September 27, 2007.

Dunn's 46 home runs in 2004 were the fourth most in Cincinnati Reds history. That year, he joined Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Morgan as the only Reds players to score 100 runs, drive in 100 runs, and draw 100 walks in a single season. Dunn repeated the feat the following season making him the only player in Reds history to do it more than once.

On Mother's Day, May 14, 2006, Dunn was one of more than 50 hitters who brandished a pink bat to benefit the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

In 2003, he led all major league outfielders in errors, with 10.[3] In 2004, he tied for the lead among all major league left fielders in errors, with 8.[4]

In 2004, 2005, and 2006, he struck out 34.3%,[5] 30.9%,[6] and 34.6%[7] of the time, respectively. In each season, his was the highest strikeout percentage in Major League Baseball. In 2008 he struck out 31.7% of the time.[8]

In 2006, he led all major league outfielders in errors, with 12, and had the lowest fielding percentage among left fielders, at .960.[9][10]

On October 31, 2007, Dunn's $13 million dollar option was picked up by the Reds, making him the highest-paid player on the team.

On June 29, 2008, Dunn won the Ohio Cup MVP when he went 6-for-20 in the six-game series, with 5 home runs and 10 RBI.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On August 11, 2008, Dunn was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks for right-handed pitcher Dallas Buck and two other players to be named later.[11] The two players were catcher Wilkin Castillo and pitcher Micah Owings.[12]

In 2008 he walked 19.1% of the time, the highest percentage in major league baseball; however, he also struck out 164 times in 651 plate appearances.[13]

Defensively, he had the lowest fielding percentage of all starting major league left fielders, .968, and committed more errors (7) than any other NL left fielder.[14]

Washington Nationals

Dunn with the Washington Nationals in 2009.

On February 11, 2009, Dunn agreed to a two-year $20 million contract with the Washington Nationals.[15][16] In his first game as a National, he hit a home run and had four RBIs. On July 4, 2009, he hit his 300th career home run.[17] During the 2009 season, Dunn transitioned into a first baseman,[18] and now in National League parks, he plays almost exclusively at that position.

On July 7, 2010, Dunn hit 3 home runs in a single game for the first time in his career as the Nationals beat the Padres 7-6. He hit a 3 run and 2 solo homers to join Alfonso Soriano as the only Nationals players to accomplish the feat.[19]

Chicago White Sox

On December 2, 2010, Dunn agreed to a four-year, $56 million contract with the Chicago White Sox.[20][21] On April 6, 2011 Dunn underwent an apendectomy which caused him to miss five games. Dunn struggled throughout the 2011 season, leading to reduced playing time as the year proceeded. He ended the season with a .159 average and 177 strikeouts.[22] If Dunn had qualified for the batting title (he needed six more plate appearances), his .159 average would have been the lowest batting average by a qualified player since Bill Bergen hit .139 as a starter for the 1909 Brooklyn Superbas. After the 2011 career, MLB decided that Adam Dunn should be MVP. Obviously, they finally came to their senses. Adam Dunn was nominated MVP because he achieved a record that all others deemed impossible. He realized that if he gave up all hope, he can recieve the most stike outs in the league.

Through 2011, he led all active left fielders in career errors, with 60.[23]

International career

On March 1, 2009, Dunn joined the United States team for the 2009 World Baseball Classic at the late request of coach Davey Johnson.[24] In the March 7, 2009 first round game against Canada in Toronto, he hit a two-run home run and batted in a run on a sacrifice fly play.[25] On March 8, Dunn scored on a three run triple by Chris Iannetta, and had a solo home run against Venezuela.[26]

Playing style

Dunn during White Sox Spring Training in 2011

Dunn has come under criticism for what some view as a lackadaisical effort in left field. When Dunn was a free agent in 2009, Toronto Blue Jays GM J. P. Ricciardi commented in response to a question about acquiring Dunn: "Do you know the guy doesn't really like baseball that much? Do you know the guy doesn't have a passion to play the game that much? How much do you know about the player? There's a reason why you're attracted to some players and there's a reason why you're not attracted to some players. I don't think you'd be very happy if we brought Adam Dunn here." Ricciardi later apologized for his comments.[27] In 2008, Reds announcer Marty Brennaman criticized Dunn's lack of clutch hitting as well noting, "He homers; he doesn't drive in runs."[28] Marty Brennaman said in 2007, "I think he was overweight last year. He walks to his position. He walks off the field. You see no energy whatsoever and that disappoints the heck out of me."[29] However, Washington Nationals GM Mike Rizzo had this to say about Dunn: "Dunn was the most misunderstood player I have heard about in recent memory," Rizzo said. "The way he was misconstrued [in Cincinnati] was almost unbelievable. He plays banged up. He'd go out there 162 games if you'd let him. He's the most consistent player in the game the last six years."[30]

In 2009, Dunn was rated the worst fielder in the Major Leagues by Ultimate Zone Rating, at -35.[31][32] After the Nationals moved him to first base midway through the 2009 season, his UZR/150 was -30.8 -- the next closest first baseman (over 500 innings) was Victor Martinez, at -9.1.[33] Dunn, for the first time in his career, went into spring training in 2010 as a first baseman. By the All Star Break, his UZR/150 was -1.1, ahead of Albert Pujols, Ryan Howard, Mark Teixeira, and Prince Fielder.[34][35]

Position changes

In December 2005, Reds manager Jerry Narron informed the press that, due to the trade of popular first baseman Sean Casey to the Pittsburgh Pirates for left-handed pitcher Dave Williams, Dunn would be moving to first base for the 2006 season. However, with the acquisition of free agent first baseman Scott Hatteberg (who played for the Oakland Athletics in 2005) during spring training and the March 20 trade of outfielder Wily Mo Peña to the Boston Red Sox for right-handed pitcher Bronson Arroyo, the plan to convert Dunn was scrapped. Dunn had mentioned that he would rather not play first base.[citation needed]

After Nick Johnson was traded to the Florida Marlins, Dunn was made the Nationals everyday first baseman.[18]

Personal

Dunn is married to Rachel Brown of Kentucky, and the couple have a son named Brady.[citation needed]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Adam Dunn Statistics". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved October 24, 2008.
  2. ^ "Adam Dunn, Chicago White Sox". Cbssports.com. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ "2004 Regular Season MLB Baseball LF Fielding Statistics". Espn.go.com. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  5. ^ Baseball Leaderboard 2004 season, fangraphs.com
  6. ^ Baseball Leaderboard 2005 season, fangraphs.com
  7. ^ Baseball Leaderboard 2006 season, fangraphs.com
  8. ^ 2008 season, fangraphs.com
  9. ^ "2006 Regular Season MLB Baseball LF Fielding Statistics". Espn.go.com. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  10. ^ [2]
  11. ^ By Steve Gilbert / MLB.com (August 11, 2008). "Dunn deal: D-backs acquire slugger". Arizona.diamondbacks.mlb.com. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  12. ^ "Yahoo! Sports - Sports News, Scores, Rumors, Fantasy Games, and more". Sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  13. ^ "Adam Dunn Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  14. ^ "2010 Regular Season MLB Baseball 1B Fielding Statistics - Major League Baseball - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  15. ^ By Tom Verducci, SI.com (February 11, 2009). "Dunn, Nationals agree to two-year, $20 million deal". Sportsillustrated.cnn.com. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  16. ^ By Bill Ladson / MLB.com. "Nats sign Dunn to two-year, $20M deal". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  17. ^ Ladson, Bill (July 4, 2009). "Dunn belts 300th career homer". MLB.com. Retrieved July 4, 2009.
  18. ^ a b By Bill Ladson / MLB.com. "Nats sign Dunn to two-year, $20M deal". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  19. ^ Ladson, Bill (July 8, 2010). "Dunn hammers hat trick of homers to lift Nats". MLB.com. Retrieved July 8, 2010.
  20. ^ van Dyck, Dave (December 2, 2010). "Free-spending Sox sign Dunn, Pierzynski, hope to bring back Konerko". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved December 3, 2010.
  21. ^ "Dunn deal: White Sox unveil new slugger". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  22. ^ "Adam Dunn Game by Game Stats and Performance".
  23. ^ [3]
  24. ^ Post Store (March 2, 2009). "Dunn Has Acta's Approval For WBC". Washingtonpost.com. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  25. ^ Team USA tops Canada[dead link]
  26. ^ "World Baseball Classic: United States vs. Venezuela - March 8, 2009". Web.worldbaseballclassic.com. March 8, 2009. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  27. ^ "Ricciardi apologizes for comments made about Dunn on radio show - MLB - ESPN". Sports.espn.go.com. June 20, 2008. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  28. ^ Matt Snyder %BloggerTitle% (December 23, 2008). "Marty Brennaman Hates Adam Dunn, He Just Doesn't Really Know Why". Aolnews.com. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  29. ^ "Reds Caravan: Question-and-Answer with Marty Brennaman - Central Kentucky News". Articles.centralkynews.com. January 28, 2007. Retrieved October 14, 2011.
  30. ^ Boswell, Thomas (September 26, 2009). "Nationals' Ryan Zimmerman and Adam Dunn Shine Bright Amid the Gloom". The Washington Post. Retrieved April 23, 2010.
  31. ^ http://assets.sbnation.com/assets/179696/Dunn2.png
  32. ^ "Major League Teams » 2009 » Fielders » Fielding Statistics | FanGraphs Baseball". Fangraphs.com. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
  33. ^ "Major League Leaderboards, 2009, First Baseman, Fielding Statistics". FanGraphs. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  34. ^ "Major League Leaderboards, 2010, First Baseman, Fielding Statistics". FanGraphs. Retrieved July 13, 2010.
  35. ^ Rock, Rugged (September 29, 2009). "The Two Sides of Adam Dunn: Graph of the Day". Beyond the Box Score. Retrieved August 20, 2010.
Preceded by National League Player of the Month
July 2005
Succeeded by

Template:Persondata