Chris Dickerson (baseball)

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Chris Dickerson

| image = Chris Dickerson on May 18, 2013.jpg

| image_size =

| caption = Dickerson with the Baltimore Orioles

| position = Outfielder

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1982|4|10}}

| birth_place = Hollywood, California, U.S.

| bats = Left

| throws = Left

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = August 12

| debutyear = 2008

| debutteam = Cincinnati Reds

|finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = September 5

| finalyear = 2014

| finalteam = Cleveland Indians

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .257

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 17

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 66

| teams =

Cincinnati Reds ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2010}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2010}})
New York Yankees ({{mlby|2011}}–{{mlby|2012}})
Baltimore Orioles ({{mlby|2013}})
Cleveland Indians ({{mlby|2014}})

}}

Christopher Charles Dickerson (born April 10, 1982) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, and Cleveland Indians between 2008 and 2014.

Career

=Amateur=

A native of Hollywood, California, Dickerson attended Notre Dame High School. He was drafted out of high school by the New York Yankees in the 32nd round (968th overall) of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft, but did not sign. He instead attended the University of Nevada, where he played college baseball for the Nevada Wolf Pack baseball team from 2001 through 2003.{{cite web |url=https://nevadawolfpack.com/news/2008/8/12/Former_Pack_All_America_Chris_Dickerson_Gets_The_Call_From_The_Reds.aspx |title=Former Pack All-America Chris Dickerson Gets The Call From The Reds |date=August 12, 2008 |work=NevadaWolfPack.com |publisher=CBS Sports |access-date=October 13, 2021}} In 2002, he played collegiate summer baseball with the Brewster Whitecaps of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web|author= |url=http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf |title=Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League |publisher=capecodbaseball.org |date= |access-date=January 9, 2020}}{{cite web|url=http://www.thebaseballcube.com/college/summer/stats.asp?Y=2002&T=Brewster_Whitecaps |title=2002 Brewster Whitecaps |publisher=thebaseballcube.com |accessdate=September 23, 2021}}

File:Chris Dickerson 2009.jpg spring training]]

=Cincinnati Reds=

Dickerson was drafted again, in the 16th round (471st overall) of the 2003 MLB Draft, this time by the Cincinnati Reds. He made his Major League debut with the Reds on August 12, 2008. He hit his first career home run on August 15, 2008, against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Dickerson earned a starting job in the outfield with Jay Bruce and Willy Taveras entering the 2009 season, due to Ken Griffey Jr. and Adam Dunn's departures. In the first month of the season, Dickerson was only batting .205 with a homer and 5 RBIs. However, by the end of May he boosted his average to .271. He also was featured in highlight reels for his defensive plays while filling in for Tavares at center field.{{Cite web|author=Mark Sheldon |url=http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090602&content_id=5099982&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927090934/http://cincinnati.reds.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20090602&content_id=5099982&vkey=news_cin&fext=.jsp&c_id=cin |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |title=New attitude helping Dickerson's game |publisher=Cincinnati.reds.mlb.com |date=May 30, 2009 |access-date=September 17, 2010}}

In 2010 he batted .205 for Cincinnati.

=Milwaukee Brewers=

On August 9, 2010, Dickerson was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Jim Edmonds.{{cite news|last1=White|first1=Paul|title=Reds adds ex-Cardinal Jim Edmonds just in time to face St. Louis|url=http://content.usatoday.com/communities/dailypitch/post/2010/08/reds-adds-ex-cardinal-jim-edmonds-just-in-time-to-face-st-louis/1#.U7tHLLGmU1I|access-date=July 8, 2014|publisher=USA Today|date=August 9, 2010}} Dickerson batted .208 with 5 RBIs in 25 games with Milwaukee.{{cite news|title=Chris Dickerson Statistics and History|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/d/dickech01.shtml|access-date=July 8, 2014|publisher=Baseball Reference}}

=New York Yankees=

File:Chris Dickerson 2011.jpg]]

On March 25, 2011, Dickerson was traded to the New York Yankees in exchange for pitcher Sergio Mitre.{{cite news|last1=Fordin|first1=Spencer|title=Brewers get Mitre from Yanks for Dickerson|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110325&content_id=17112866&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb|access-date=July 8, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=March 25, 2011}} He made his Yankees debut on May 17, going 1-for-3 with one run batted in.{{cite news|title=Yankees 6, Rays 2 (Box Score)|url=http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/mlb/gameday/index.jsp?gid=2011_05_17_nyamlb_tbamlb_1&mode=box&c_id=nyy|access-date=July 8, 2014|date=May 17, 2011}}{{dead link|date=October 2024|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}} He was promoted again to the Major Leagues in September.

Dickerson cleared waivers before the 2012 season and was outrighted to the Class-AAA Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.{{cite news|last1=Hoch|first1=Bryan|title=Dickerson clears waivers, outrighted to Triple-A|url=http://bombersbeat.mlblogs.com/2012/02/26/dickerson-clears-waivers-outrighted-to-triple-a/|access-date=July 8, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=February 26, 2012}} Dickerson was promoted to the Major Leagues again on September 1, after the rosters expanded.{{cite web|title=Yankees notebook: Club adds 6 Triple-A call-ups|url=http://www.lohud.com/article/20120902/SPORTS/309020055/Yankees-notebook-Club-adds-6-Triple-call-ups|publisher=lohud.com}} The Yankees designated Dickerson for assignment, and subsequently released him in January 2013.{{cite news|last1=Jennings|first1=Chad|title=Chris Dickerson designated for assignment|url=http://yankees.lhblogs.com/2013/01/04/chris-dickerson-designated-for-assignment/|access-date=July 8, 2014|publisher=The Journal News|date=January 4, 2014}}

=Baltimore Orioles=

Dickerson signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles for 2013 and was assigned to the AAA Norfolk Tides. He was called up to Baltimore on April 10, and made his Orioles debut that night. On May 21, Dickerson hit two home runs off Phil Hughes for his first career multi-homer game. On May 31, Dickerson hit the first walk-off home run of his career against Detroit Tigers pitcher José Valverde. Dickerson was designated for assignment on July 19. He batted .238 for Baltimore. After clearing waivers, he was outrighted to the minors.{{cite news|last1=Encina|first1=Eduardo A.|title=Orioles keep Chris Dickerson in organization; outfielder outrighted to Triple-A Norfolk|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/2013/07/29/orioles-keep-chris-dickerson-in-organization-outfielder-outrighted-to-triple-a-norfolk/|access-date=July 8, 2014|publisher=Baltimore Sun|date=July 29, 2013}} He refused the assignment and became a free agent.

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

Dickerson signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates on January 6, 2014.{{cite news|last1=Fordin|first1=Spencer|title=Dickerson signs Minor League deal with Pirates|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article/pit/chris-dickerson-signs-minor-league-deal-with-pirates?ymd=20140106&content_id=66340780|access-date=July 8, 2014|work=MLB.com|date=January 6, 2014}}

=Cleveland Indians=

Dickerson was traded to the Cleveland Indians on July 7, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://hardballtalk.nbcsports.com/2014/07/07/indians-acquire-chris-dickerson-from-pirates/ |title=Indians acquire Chris Dickerson from Pirates |date=July 7, 2014 |access-date=July 7, 2014 |work=Hardball Talk |first=Aaron |last=Gleeman}}{{cite news|title=Indians acquire OF Dickerson from Pirates|url=https://www.espn.com/espn/wire?section=mlb&id=11188346|access-date=July 8, 2014|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=July 7, 2014}} He batted .224/.309/.327 for Cleveland. He was outrighted off the roster on September 9.

=Toronto Blue Jays=

On February 21, 2015, he signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.{{cite news|last1=Chisholm|first1=Gregor|title=Blue Jays sign Dickerson to Minor League contract|url=http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/109949900/blue-jays-sign-chris-dickerson-to-minor-league-contract|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150223191536/http://m.bluejays.mlb.com/news/article/109949900/blue-jays-sign-chris-dickerson-to-minor-league-contract|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 23, 2015|access-date=February 26, 2015|work=MLB.com|date=February 21, 2015}} He elected free agency on November 6.{{cite web|url=http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=117|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120421150258/http://www.milb.com/milb/stats/stats.jsp?sid=milb&t=l_trn&lid=117|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 21, 2012|title=International League Transactions|page=November 2015|work=Minor League Baseball|access-date=November 6, 2015}}

=Baltimore Orioles (second stint)=

On August 29, 2016, Dickerson signed a minor league contract with the Baltimore Orioles organization.{{Cite web|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 8/29/16|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/08/minor-mlb-transactions-82916.html|access-date=June 12, 2025|website=mlbtraderumors.com|language=en}} He played in 15 games for the Double-A Bowie Baysox, hitting .332/.385/.610 with three home runs, 10 RBI, and two stolen bases. Dickerson elected free agency following the season on November 7.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2016|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2016/?amphtml|access-date=May 29, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 8, 2016 |language=en}}

Dickerson signed another minor league contract with the Orioles on December 16, 2016.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbssports.com/fantasy/baseball/news/orioles-chris-dickerson-lands-with-baltimore-on-minor-league-deal/|title=Orioles' Chris Dickerson: Lands with Baltimore on minor league deal|work=cbssports.com|date=December 16, 2016|access-date=December 16, 2016}} In 81 games for the Triple–A Norfolk Tides, Dickerson hit .244/.365/.396 with seven home runs, 26 RBI, and seven stolen bases. He elected free agency following the season on November 6, 2017.{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=June 20, 2023|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}

Community

Along with fellow baseball player Jack Cassel, Dickerson is a founder of Players for the Planet, a foundation that brings professional athletes together to inspire communities to build awareness of the growing environmental crisis.{{Cite web|url=http://www.playersfortheplanet.org/ |title=Players for the Planet |publisher=playersfortheplanet.org |date= |access-date=September 13, 2011}} Several athletes including Chase Utley, Jay Bruce, Ryan Braun, Matt Cassel, and Jacoby Ellsbury sit on the foundation's board.{{Cite web|url=http://www.playersfortheplanet.org/?page_id=31 |title=Players for the Planet |publisher=playersfortheplanet.org |date= |access-date=September 13, 2011}}