M Tucker HR vs Coppin State

Michael Anthony Tucker (born June 25, 1971 in South Boston, Virginia) is a former right fielder in Major League Baseball. Tucker played with the Kansas City Royals (1995-1996, 2002-2003), Atlanta Braves (1997-1998), Cincinnati Reds (1999-2001), Chicago Cubs (2001), San Francisco Giants (2004-2005), Philadelphia Phillies (2005), and New York Mets (2006). He batted left-handed and threw right-handed.

He attended the then Longwood College (at the time a NCAA Division II school) from 1990 through 1992. In November 2005, Tucker was among the selection of Longwood's first Hall of Fame class, including basketball player Jerome Kersey and LPGA golfer Tina Barrett.

After college, Tucker begin his pro baseball career in the minors in 1993. Tucker spent most of the 1993 season with the Single-A Carolina League Wilmington Blue Rocks. Before making the move up to Double-A and spending time with the Memphis Chicks (now West Tennessee Diamond Jaxx) of the Southern League. In 1994, Tucker played in Triple-A with the Omaha Royals of the American Association before joining Major League Baseball and the Kansas City Royals.

In August 2005, San Francisco traded Tucker to the Philadelphia Phillies for minor leaguer Kelvin Pichardo. Tucker, whose playing time has been limited that season after starting for most of 2004, joined a Phillies team in the heart of the playoff chase.

On January 9, 2006, Tucker agreed to a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. On August 9, Tucker's contract was purchased by the New York Mets from the Triple-A Norfolk Tides after Cliff Floyd was placed on the 15-Day DL. On May 17, 2007, Tucker signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox, but was released on July 7 of the same year.[1]

Tucker was basically a streaky line drive hitter with gap power. Although his 108 stolen bases career total doesn't show it, he was an aggressive and smart base runner. In the field, Tucker had the ability to play all outfield positions well, particularly in right field. He had good range and a strong and secure arm.

Tucker enjoyed his most productive season in 1997 with the Braves, when he posted career highs in batting average (.283), runs (80) and hits (141) in 138 games. In 2004, for the Giants, he played 106 games in right field and 25 in center. He ended the year with a .256 average, 13 home runs, 62 RBI, 77 runs, and a significant .340 on base percentage. In nine of his ten seasons, he collected 11 or more home runs, with a career-high 15 in 2000.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• Longwood
• Lancers
• Farmville
• Virginia
• 1991
• College
• Baseball
• World
• Series
• South
• Atlantic
• Regionals
• Royals
• Braves
• Reds
• Cubs
• Giants
• Phillies
• Mets

[benning221]

mike is a good player even back then. i know him an his family personally an he teaches his kids an friends to play some good baseball

[ChandlerPol]

... wow ... a long way from the highlight of his career seven-and-a-half years later when he homered off arguably the game's best pitcher, Kevin Brown, in front of over 60,000 fans in San Diego in the NLCS. 

[Mashpeeallstar42]

there are too many bostons.

[NYMetsfilms]

he was really good for the Mets in 06 when our outfield was plagued with injuries. He made a few nice catches and was solid with the bat. he needs to come back to baseball!