Mike Lamb

{{Infobox baseball biography

|name=Mike Lamb

|image=Mike.lamb.jpg

|caption=Lamb with the Houston Astros

|position=Third baseman / First baseman

|bats=Left

|throws=Right

|birth_date={{Birth date and age|1975|8|9}}

|birth_place=West Covina, California, U.S.

|debutleague = MLB

|debutdate=April 23

|debutyear=2000

|debutteam=Texas Rangers

|finalleague = MLB

|finaldate=July 17

|finalyear=2010

|finalteam=Florida Marlins

|statleague = MLB

|stat1label=Batting average

|stat1value=.276

|stat2label=Home runs

|stat2value=69

|stat3label=Runs batted in

|stat3value=349

|teams=

Texas Rangers ({{mlby|2000}}–{{mlby|2003}})
Houston Astros ({{mlby|2004}}–{{mlby|2007}})
Minnesota Twins ({{mlby|2008}})
Milwaukee Brewers ({{mlby|2008}})
Florida Marlins ({{mlby|2010}})

}}

Michael Robert Lamb (born August 9, 1975) is an American former professional baseball third baseman and first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Houston Astros, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, Florida Marlins from 2000 through 2008, and 2010. As a player, Lamb was listed at {{convert|6|ft|1|in|m}} and {{convert|205|lb|kg}}.

Career

=Texas Rangers=

Lamb attended Bishop Amat High School in La Puente, California and California State University, Fullerton. He was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the seventh round of the 1997 Major League Baseball Draft.{{Cite web |title=7th Round of the 1997 MLB June Amateur Draft |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/draft/?year_ID=1997&draft_round=7&draft_type=junreg&query_type=year_round |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} Lamb made his Major League debut on April 23, 2000 against the Minnesota Twins, going 1-for-4. He collected his first major league hit with a third-inning single off Twins pitcher Brad Radke.{{Cite web |date=April 23, 2000 |title=Minnesota Twins vs Texas Rangers Box Score: April 23, 2000 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/TEX/TEX200004230.shtml |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He played for the Rangers until February 5, 2004, when he was traded to the New York Yankees for minor leaguer Jose Garcia.{{Cite web |date=February 4, 2004 |title=Yankees acquire Lamb from Texas |url=https://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2004/02/04/Yankees-acquire-Lamb-from-Texas/94971075939482/ |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=UPI |language=en}}

=Houston Astros=

Before playing a game for the Yankees, the Houston Astros acquired Lamb from the Yankees for minor leaguer Juan DeLeon on March 25, 2004. In 2005, Lamb saw more playing time due to regular first baseman Jeff Bagwell's injury. In 2005, he batted .236 with 12 home runs and 53 RBI, with one stolen base in 125 games.{{Cite web |title=Mike Lamb Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lambmi01.shtml |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He participated in the 2005 World Series where he hit the first World Series home run in Astros history, becoming only the second player whose last name is a type of animal to homer in the World Series (the first was Tim Salmon in 2002).{{Cite web |date=October 22, 2005 |title=2005 World Series Game 1, Houston Astros vs Chicago White Sox: October 22, 2005 |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA200510220.shtml |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}

=Minnesota Twins=

On December 14, 2007, Lamb signed a two-year, $6.6 million deal with the Minnesota Twins that included a club option for 2010.{{Cite web |last=Thesier |first=Kelly |date=December 14, 2007 |title=Twins sign Lamb to two-year deal |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071214&content_id=2326649&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071217152009/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20071214&content_id=2326649&vkey=news_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=December 17, 2007 |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}} On August 25, 2008, he was designated for assignment to make room on the roster for Eddie Guardado.{{Cite web |date=August 25, 2008 |title=Twins designate infielder Mike Lamb |url=http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080825&content_id=3365742&vkey=pr_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927105551/http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20080825&content_id=3365742&vkey=pr_min&fext=.jsp&c_id=min |archive-date=September 27, 2011 |website=Minnesota Twins |publisher=MLB.com}} At the time, he was batting .233 with a home run and 32 RBI in 81 games. Lamb was released on September 4.

=Milwaukee Brewers=

One day after his release from the Twins, Lamb signed with the Milwaukee Brewers.{{Cite web |last=McCalvy |first=Adam |date=September 5, 2008 |title=Brewers sign Lamb for stretch run |url=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080905&content_id=3422580&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080908025715/http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080905&content_id=3422580&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil |archive-date=September 8, 2008 |access-date=September 5, 2008 |website=Milwaukee Brewers |publisher=MLB.com}} He appeared in 11 games off the bench for Milwaukee, batting .273. Lamb became a free agent at the end of the 2008 season.{{cite web |last=McCalvy |first=Adam |date=October 30, 2008 |title=Brewers prepare offer for Sabathia |url=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081030&content_id=3656200&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205122853/http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081030&content_id=3656200&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil |archivedate=December 5, 2008 |accessdate=January 19, 2009 |website=Milwaukee Brewers |publisher=MLB.com}} On December 9, however, he re-signed a new contract with the Brewers.{{Cite web |last=McCalvy |first=Adam |date=December 10, 2008 |title=Brewers finalize deal with Lamb |url=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081209&content_id=3708153&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081213165201/http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20081209&content_id=3708153&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil |archive-date=December 13, 2008 |website=Milwaukee Brewers |publisher=MLB.com}} On April 1, 2009, after turning down a Triple-A assignment, Lamb was released by the Brewers.{{Cite web |last=Dierkes |first=Tim |date=April 1, 2009 |title=Brewers Release Mike Lamb |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2009/04/brewers-release-mike-lamb.html |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}}

=New York Mets=

On April 25, 2009, the New York Mets signed Lamb to a minor league contract.{{Cite web |last=Rubin |first=Adam |date=April 25, 2009 |title=Figgy back, Lamb on board, too |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2009/04/figgy-back-lamb-on-board-too.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090427154157/http://www.nydailynews.com/blogs/mets/2009/04/figgy-back-lamb-on-board-too.html |archive-date=April 27, 2009 |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=New York Daily News}} He spent the entire 2009 season with the Triple-A Buffalo Bisons, batting .264 with five home runs and 53 RBI in 119 games.{{Cite web |title=Mike Lamb Minor, Fall & Independent Leagues Statistics |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=lamb--001mic |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}} He became a free agent after the season.

=Florida Marlins=

On February 11, 2010, Lamb signed a minor league contract with the Florida Marlins,{{Cite web |last=Megdal |first=Howard |date=February 11, 2010 |title=Marlins Sign Mike Lamb |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/02/marlins-sign-mike-lamb.html |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} and was added to the Major League roster on April 3.{{Cite web |date=April 4, 2010 |title=Marlins set 2010 Opening Day roster |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/content/printer_friendly/mia/y2010/m04/d04/c9071218.jsp |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Miami Marlins |publisher=MLB.com}} On May 6, 2010, Lamb was designated for assignment, and later cleared waivers before being sent to the Triple-A New Orleans Zephyrs on May 12.{{Cite web |last=Links |first=Zachary |date=May 12, 2010 |title=Mike Lamb Clears Waivers |url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2010/05/marlins-designate-mike-lamb-for-assignment.html |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=MLB Trade Rumors |language=en-US}} He was recalled to replace fourth outfielder Cameron Maybin on June 18.{{Cite web |last= |date=June 17, 2010 |title=For now, Marlins outfield not big enough for Maybin |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/fl-xpm-2010-06-17-fl-marlins-notebook-0618-20100617-story.html |access-date=May 4, 2023 |website=Sun Sentinel |language=en-US}}

=Late career=

Lamb signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees on June 22, 2011, after beginning the season with the Camden Riversharks of Atlantic League. In 45 games with the Riversharks he hit .320/.418/.515 with 7 home runs, 32 RBIs and 3 stolen bases.

He was assigned to the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees.{{cite web |last=Collins |first=Donnie |date=June 22, 2011 |title=Two veteran sluggers signed by Yanks |url=http://blogs.thetimes-tribune.com/yankees/?p=10613 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110624155951/http://blogs.thetimes-tribune.com/yankees/?p=10613 |archivedate=June 24, 2011 |accessdate=June 23, 2011 |work=The Scranton Times-Tribune}}