Jason Michaels

{{Infobox baseball biography

| name = Jason Michaels

| image = Jason Michaels anthem.jpg

| image_size = 240px

| caption = Michaels with the Cleveland Indians in 2006

| position = Outfielder

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1976|5|4}}

| birth_place = Tampa, Florida, U.S.

| bats = Right

| throws = Right

|debutleague = MLB

| debutdate = April 6

| debutyear = 2001

| debutteam = Philadelphia Phillies

|finalleague = MLB

| finaldate = September 13

| finalyear = 2011

| finalteam = Houston Astros

|statleague = MLB

| stat1label = Batting average

| stat1value = .263

| stat2label = Home runs

| stat2value = 59

| stat3label = Runs batted in

| stat3value = 299

| teams =

Philadelphia Phillies ({{baseball year|2001}}–{{baseball year|2005}})
Cleveland Indians ({{baseball year|2006}}–{{baseball year|2008}})
Pittsburgh Pirates ({{baseball year|2008}})
Houston Astros ({{baseball year|2009}}–{{Baseball year|2011}})

}}

Jason Drew Michaels (born May 4, 1976), nicknamed "J-Mike",{{cite web |title=Jason Michaels Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/michaja01.shtml |access-date=July 22, 2007 |website=Baseball Reference |publisher=Sports Reference}} is an American retired Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Houston Astros.

High school and college

Born in Tampa, Florida, Michaels graduated in 1994 from Jesuit High School in Tampa, a school which also produced major leaguers Lou Piniella, Dave Magadan and Brad Radke. He batted over .400 in each of three years for Jesuit, and was selected in the 49th round (1,323rd overall) of the 1994 Major League Baseball draft by the San Diego Padres.

{{cite book |url=http://pressbox.mlb.com/pressbox/downloads/y2007/cle/player_bios.pdf |title=Cleveland Indians: Media Guide 2007 |publisher=MLB Advanced Media |year=2007 |pages=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070704135559/http://pressbox.mlb.com/pressbox/downloads/y2007/cle/player_bios.pdf#page=76 pgs. 190–193] |access-date=June 20, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070704135559/http://pressbox.mlb.com/pressbox/downloads/y2007/cle/player_bios.pdf |archive-date=July 4, 2007 |url-status=dead}}

{{Cite web |title=49th Round of the 1994 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?year_ID=1994&draft_round=49&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}} He chose not to sign and instead attended Okaloosa-Walton College, a community college in Niceville, Florida. At Okaloosa-Walton, Michaels hit .421 with nine home runs and 45 runs batted in, and was named Panhandle Conference Player of the Year in 1996.

{{cite web |title=Raiders Athletics Baseball Awards |url=http://raider.owc.edu/baseball/Awards.cfm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070620010728/http://raider.owc.edu/baseball/Awards.cfm |archive-date=June 20, 2007 |access-date=June 20, 2007 |website=Okaloosa-Walton College}} He graduated from Okaloosa-Walton in 1996, and that year played collegiate summer baseball for the Orleans Cardinals of the Cape Cod Baseball League.{{cite web |author= |date= |title=Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League |url=http://capecodbaseball.org.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/2012website/archives/Current%20Year/All_Time_MLB_CCBL_Alumni.pdf |access-date=September 25, 2019 |website=Cape Cod Baseball League}}

Michaels was selected in the 44th round (1,314th overall) of the 1996 MLB draft by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, but he again opted not to sign and instead entered the University of Miami.{{Cite web |title=44th Round of the 1996 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?year_ID=1996&draft_round=44&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}} He lettered in baseball for the Hurricanes in both 1997 and 1998, and was a teammate of future major-leaguers Pat Burrell and Aubrey Huff. In two seasons at Miami, he batted .396 with 34 home runs and 154 runs batted in. In 1997, he set Hurricane single-season records for hits (106), doubles (32) and total bases (189).

The St. Louis Cardinals selected Michaels in the 15th round (464th overall) of the 1997 MLB draft, but once again he opted not to sign, returning to Miami for his final year of eligibility.{{Cite web |title=15th Round of the 1997 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/index.fcgi?year_ID=1997&draft_round=15&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}} Upon completing the season, Michaels was drafted for the fourth time when the Philadelphia Phillies selected him in the fourth round (104th overall) of the 1998 MLB draft. He signed his first professional contract on June 19, 1998.{{Cite web |last=Johnston |first=Joey |date=June 18, 1998 |title=Ex-Jesuit star ready to sign with Phillies |url=https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1998/06/18/ex-jesuit-star-ready-to-sign-with-phillies/ |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Tampa Bay Times |language=en}}

In 2010, Michaels was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame.{{Cite web |title=Jason Michaels |url=https://www.umsportshalloffame.com/jason-michaels.html |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame |language=en}}

Professional career

=Philadelphia Phillies=

In the Phillies farm system from 1998 through {{baseball year|2001}}, Michaels played for the Batavia Muckdogs of the short-season, Single-A New York–Penn League (1998), the Clearwater Phillies (now Clearwater Threshers) of the advanced Single-A Florida State League ({{baseball year|1999}}), the Reading Phillies of the Double-A Eastern League ({{baseball year|2000}}) and the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Red Barons of the Triple-A International League (2001).{{Cite web |title=Jason Michaels Minor Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=michae001jas |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}} In 424 minor league games with the Phillies, he hit .282 with 52 home runs and 264 RBI.

Although he spent most of the season with Scranton/Wilkes-Barre, Michaels made his major league debut with Philadelphia as a pinch hitter on April 6, 2001.{{Cite web |date=April 6, 2001 |title=Chicago Cubs vs Philadelphia Phillies Box Score: April 6, 2001 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHI/PHI200104060.shtml |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}} He was on the Phillies' 25-man roster from {{baseball year|2002}} through {{baseball year|2005}} as a reserve outfielder and pinch hitter, compiling a .291 batting average with 21 home runs and 100 RBI in 383 games and 808 at bats. He was used primarily as a pinch hitter and defensive replacement in 2002 and {{baseball year|2003}}. In {{baseball year|2004}}, he was the team's fourth outfielder behind fellow University of Miami alumnus Pat Burrell, Marlon Byrd, and Bobby Abreu. In 2005, he platooned in center field with left-handed hitting Kenny Lofton.

=Cleveland Indians=

On January 27, 2006, the Phillies traded Michaels to the Cleveland Indians for left-handed relief pitcher Arthur Rhodes.

{{cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=January 27, 2006 |title=Tribe completes trade with Phillies |url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060127&content_id=1302146&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519072532/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060127&content_id=1302146&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2007 |website=Cleveland Indians |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}} This trade precipitated a second deal in which the Indians sent outfielder Coco Crisp, relief pitcher David Riske and catcher Josh Bard to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for reliever Guillermo Mota, third baseman Andy Marte, catcher Kelly Shoppach, Randy Newsom and cash.{{cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=January 27, 2006 |title=Tribe finalizes two deals in a day |url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060127&content_id=1302209&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406224953/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060127&content_id=1302209&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=April 6, 2012 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |work=Cleveland Indians |publisher=MLB.com}} Michaels replaced Crisp in left field for the Indians in 2006, hitting primarily in the second spot in the batting order behind Grady Sizemore. For the season, he hit .267 with nine home runs and a career-best 55 RBI in 123 games. He missed 16 games after crashing into the outfield wall at Yankee Stadium on June 15.

{{cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=June 19, 2006 |title=Notes: Michaels awaiting MRI results |url=http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060619&content_id=1513646&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110519072715/http://cleveland.indians.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060619&content_id=1513646&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=May 19, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2007 |website=Cleveland Indians |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

On September 6, 2006, the Indians announced that Michaels was their nominee for the prestigious Roberto Clemente Award, given annually to the major league player who best exemplifies a commitment to community service.

{{cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=September 6, 2006 |title=Michaels donates time to community |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060906&content_id=1648727&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070505015049/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20060906&content_id=1648727&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=May 5, 2007 |access-date=June 20, 2007 |website=Cleveland Indians |publisher=MLB.com}} Michaels donated the $2,500 award to the Cleveland chapter of Gang Resistance Education and Training.

{{cite news |last=Hoynes |first=Paul |date=September 12, 2006 |title=Tribe's chastened Jason now hastens to serve |work=The Plain Dealer}}

Michaels's struggles against right-handed pitching in 2006 (.253, four home runs, 28 RBI in 338 plate appearances compared to .291, five home runs, 27 RBI in 210 plate appearances against left-handers) prompted the Indians to sign left-handed hitting, free agent outfielder David Dellucci after the 2006 season.{{Cite web |title=Jason Michaels 2006 Batting Splits |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/split.fcgi?id=michaja01&year=2006&t=b |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}} Dellucci and Michaels were expected to platoon in left field in {{mlby|2007}}, with Michaels seeing most of his playing time against left-handed pitching.

{{cite web |last=Castrovince |first=Anthony |date=November 26, 2006 |title=Tribe tabs Dellucci for left field |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061127&content_id=1746722&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110605134953/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20061127&content_id=1746722&vkey=news_cle&fext=.jsp&c_id=cle |archive-date=June 5, 2011 |access-date=June 20, 2007 |website=Cleveland Indians |publisher=MLB.com}}

Michaels played in 105 games in 2007, batting .270 with seven home runs and 39 RBI. He saw his first career postseason action in Game 2 of the 2007 American League Division Series against the New York Yankees, hitting a double in his first at bat of the game.{{Cite web |date=October 5, 2007 |title=2007 American League Division Series (ALDS) Game 2, New York Yankees vs Cleveland Indians: October 5, 2007 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE200710050.shtml |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Baseball Reference |language=en}}

On May 5, 2008, Michaels was designated for assignment.{{Cite web |last=Hoynes |first=Paul |date=May 5, 2008 |title=Indians drop Michaels, Francisco to join team Tuesday in New York |url=https://www.cleveland.com/sports/2008/05/indians_expected_to_drop_micha.html |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=The Plain Dealer |language=en}} At the time, he was hitting only .207 with 9 RBI in 21 games with Cleveland.

=Pittsburgh Pirates=

On May 8, 2008, Michaels was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates.{{Cite web |last=Langosch |first=Jenifer |date=May 8, 2008 |title=Bucs acquire Michaels, option Morgan |url=http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080508&content_id=2662863&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080513060009/http://pittsburgh.pirates.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080508&content_id=2662863&vkey=news_pit&fext=.jsp&c_id=pit |archive-date=May 13, 2008 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Pittsburgh Pirates |publisher=MLB.com}} He batted .228 with eight home runs and 44 RBI in 102 games as a Pirate.

=Houston Astros=

On December 15, 2008, Michaels was signed to a one-year, $750,000 contract by the Houston Astros.{{Cite web |date=December 15, 2008 |title=Astros sign Jason Michaels to one-year deal |url=http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081215&content_id=3717703&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120225064418/http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20081215&content_id=3717703&vkey=pr_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |archive-date=February 25, 2012 |access-date=December 15, 2008 |website=Houston Astros |publisher=MLB.com}} He spent most of the first half appearing as a pinch hitter, but began to earn more playing time after the All-Star break, hitting .274 in games he started.{{Cite web |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |date=December 14, 2009 |title=Michaels re-signs with Astros |url=http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091214&content_id=7809842&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091216202836/http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091214&content_id=7809842&vkey=news_hou&fext=.jsp&c_id=hou |archive-date=December 16, 2009 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Houston Astros |publisher=MLB.com}} Michaels ended the season batting .237 with four home runs and 16 RBI in 102 games.

Michaels re-signed with the Astros on a one-year, $800,000 deal with a club option for 2011 on December 14, 2009. Michaels batted .253 with eight home runs and 26 RBI in 106 games during the 2010 season.

On October 4, 2010, the Astros exercised Michaels' $900,000 club option for 2011.{{Cite web |last=McTaggart |first=Brian |date=October 4, 2010 |title=Astros retain Michaels, part ways with Blum |url=http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101004&content_id=15409338&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101014150321/http://houston.astros.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20101004&content_id=15409338&vkey=news_hou&c_id=hou |archive-date=October 14, 2010 |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=Houston Astros |publisher=MLB.com}} He hit just .199 with two home runs and 10 RBI in 89 games.

=Washington Nationals=

The Washington Nationals signed Michaels to a minor league contract on December 16, 2011.{{Cite web |last=Calcaterra |first=Craig |date=December 16, 2011 |title=Jason Michaels signs with the Nationals |url=https://www.nbcsports.com/mlb/news/jason-michaels-signs-with-the-nationals |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=NBC Sports |language=en-US}} During spring training, he served as a mentor to Nationals top prospect Bryce Harper.{{Cite web |last=Kolko |first=Dan |date=April 2, 2012 |title=Nats sign Michaels to minor league deal |url=https://www.masnsports.com/blog/nats-sign-michaels-to-minor-league-deal |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=MASN |language=en-us}} He was released on March 29, and re-signed to another minor league contract on April 2.{{Cite web |last=Nicholson-Smith |first=Ben |date=March 29, 2012 |title=Minor Moves: Bard, Sullivan, Pearce, Michaels |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/03/minor-moves-josh-rodriguez.html |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} Michaels spent the entire 2012 season with the Triple-A Syracuse Chiefs, batting .202 with two home runs and 12 RBI in 35 games.

On March 4, 2013, Michaels signed with the Nationals as a player/hitting coach.{{Cite web |last=Axisa |first=Mike |date=March 4, 2013 |title=Nationals sign Jason Michaels as player/hitting coach |url=https://www.cbssports.com/mlb/news/nationals-sign-jason-michaels-as-player-hitting-coach/ |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=CBS Sports |language=en}}

Personal life

Michaels's grandfather, John Michaels, pitched for the {{mlby|1932}} Boston Red Sox

{{cite web |title=John Michaels Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/m/michajo02.shtml |access-date=June 20, 2007 |website=Baseball Reference |publisher=Sports Reference}} and also played in the Cincinnati Reds organization. His father, Earl Michaels, played quarterback for the West Virginia Tech football team. His cousin, Jacob Watters, was selected by the Oakland Athletics in the 2022 Major League Baseball draft.{{cite web |date=July 19, 2022 |title=Family ties: History made with top two picks |url=https://www.mlb.com/news/famous-family-ties-for-2022-mlb-draft-picks |website=MLB.com |publisher=MLB Advanced Media}}

As of 2024, Michaels runs [https://thebigleagueapproach.com/ The Big League Approach], a baseball clinic in Tampa, Florida.{{Cite web |title=Jason Michaels |url=https://thebigleagueapproach.com/staff/jason-michaels/ |access-date=September 25, 2024 |website=The Big League Approach |language=en-US}}