PLACIDO POLANCO - SECOND BASEMAN - #14 - (2005-2009)

POLANCO’S CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Selected to the American League’s all-star squad in 2007.

• Won both his first Silver Slugger Award and Rawlings Gold Glove Award in 2007.

• Named the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series in 2006.

• Owns the major league record for second basemen with 181 games and 888 total chances without an error (last error: July 1, 2006 at Pittsburgh).

2007 SEASON

Established career highs with 105 runs scored, 200 hits, 36 doubles and 67 RBI in his third season with Detroit.

• Elected to start at second base for the American League’s all-star squad -- marked his first all-star selection at the major league level.

• Named to The Sporting News’ American League all-star squad following the season.

• Won both his first Rawlings Gold Glove Award and Silver Slugger Award -- first Tigers second baseman to win a Rawlings Gold Glove Award since Lou Whitaker in 1985.

• Third in the American League with a .341 batting average, while he was fifth with 200 hits and 10th with 105 runs scored.

• Toughest batter to strike out in the American League, fanning once every 21.4 plate appearances.

• Hit by a pitch 11 times, tied for ninth-most in the league.

• Did not commit an error in his 141 games at second base -- has not committed an error since July 1, 2006 at Pittsburgh, a stretch of 181 games and 888 total chances without an error...established a major league record for a second baseman with the 181 games and 888 total chances without an error.

• All nine of his home runs during the season came with the bases empty -- according to David Vincent, he established a club record for home runs in a season when all home runs have come with the bases empty (surpassed Johnny Grubb’s record of eight home runs in 1984).

• Second in the American League with 65 multi-hit games -- most multi-hit games by a Tigers player since at least 1957.

• Tabbed the best hit-and-run artist and second-best defensive second baseman and rated as possessing the third-best strike-zone judgement in the American League by Baseball America.

• Collected multiple hits in each of his first six games at Comerica Park April 2-20, batting .500 (15x30) -- first major leaguer to collect multiple hits in each of his first six games at home to begin a season since Chet Lemon of the Chicago White Sox did so April 10-27, 1979.

• Hit safely in each of his first 13 games at home April 2-May 1, batting .452 (28x62) -- his 13-game hitting streak at home to open a season is the longest by a Tigers player since Alan Trammell also hit safely in his first 13 games at Tiger Stadium April 10-May 1, 1984.

• Hit .356 (37x104) with 16 runs scored, three doubles, a triple, home run and 12 RBI in 25 games during April -- led the American League with 37 hits during the month, while he was fourth with a .356 batting average...his 37 hits during the month are the most by a Tigers player in April since at least 1957.

• Established a career high with three doubles on May 18 versus St. Louis.

• Second in the American League with 27 runs scored during June, while he tied for seventh with eight doubles and tied for ninth with 36 hits -- hit .343 (36x105) in 25 games during the month.

• Equaled a career high with five hits on July 27 at the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.

• Batted .367 (33x90) in 21 games during July, seventh-best in the American League...scored 16 runs during the month, while collecting seven doubles, three home runs and 11 RBI.

• Matched a career high with two stolen bases on September 5 versus the Chicago White Sox.

• Collected a season-high four RBI on September 8 versus Seattle.

• Tied for fifth in the American League with 36 hits during September -- batted .343 (36x105) with 18 runs scored, six doubles, one home run and 11 RBI in 26 games during the month.

• Hit .335 (111x331) in 79 games prior to the all-star break -- fourth in the American League with a .335 batting average before the break, while he tied for fifth with 111 hits and tied for sixth with 62 runs scored...batted .348 (89x256) in 63 games following the all-star break -- tied for 10th in the league with 89 hits after the break.

• Batted .364 (51x140) with runners in scoring position, fourth-best in the American League.

• Hit .357 (89x249) with runners on base, seventh-best in the league.

• Batted .345 (153x443) against righthanded pitchers -- third in the league with the .345 batting average, while he was eighth with a .396 on-base percentage...hit .326 (47x144) with lefties on the mound.

• Third in the league with a .341 batting aveage (95x279) in 68 games on the road...batted .341 (105x308) in 74 games at Comerica Park -- seventh in the league with a .341 batting average at home.

MAJOR LEAGUE CAREER

Limited to 110 games in his first full season with the Tigers after suffering a left shoulder separation on August 15, 2006.

• Named the third-best hit-and-run batter in the American League by Baseball America.

• Collected his 1,000th career hit off Brad Halsey on April 19 at Oakland.

• Hit safely in 14 of his 15 games July 1-22, batting .338 (22x65) with 10 runs scored, three doubles and eight RBI.

• Did not commit an error over his final 40 games at second base July 2-October 1.

• Recorded a hit in seven straight at-bats against Oakland July 21-22.

• Landed on the disabled list on August 16 with a left shoulder separation -- suffered the injury making a diving catch the previous night in Boston.

• Reinstated from the disabled list on September 22, he batted .308 (8x26) with a home run and eight RBI over his final seven games.

• Batted .285 (91x319) in 75 games prior to the all-star break...hit .317 (45x142) in 35 games following the all-star break.

• Hit .396 (38x96) with runners in scoring position.

• Collected three hits during both Game Two and Game Four of the American League Championship Series on October 11 and 14, respectively, versus Oakland, matching the club record for hits during a league championship series game.

• Named the Most Valuable Player of the American League Championship Series...in the four-game series, he batted .529 (9x17) with a double and two RBI.

Opened the season with the Philadelphia Phillies, before joining the Tigers as part of a three-player deal on June 8, 2005...named the Tiger of the Year by Detroit’s chapter of the BBWAA.

• Second among all major league players with a .331 batting average between Philadelphia and Detroit.

• Recorded a 14-game hitting streak May 25-June 15, batting .529 (28x53) with 13 runs scored, three doubles, two home runs and 16 RBI.

• Collected a season-high four hits for the Phillies on May 28 at Atlanta -- matched the high three times with the Tigers: July 29 at Oakland and September 10-11 versus Kansas City...became the first Tigers player to collect back-to-back four hit-games since Ray Boone did so versus Boston on July 11-12, 1957.

• Equaled a career best with two home runs on June 4 versus Arizona.

• Belted a walk-off home run in the 10th inning on June 19 versus San Francisco, a two-run shot off Scott Eyre.

• Committed his first error of the season on June 24 at Arizona, his first error since August 3, 2004 -- snapped a stretch of 416 total errorless chances.

• Combined to hit .385 (35x91) in 23 games during June for the Phillies and Tigers -- tied for ninth-best in the majors.

• Established a career best with five RBI versus the New York Yankees on July 1.

• Left the game on July 10 at Tampa Bay in the fourth inning with a strained left hamstring tendon -- landed on the disabled list retroactive to July 12 with the injury on July 22...reinstated from the disabled list on July 27.

• Third in the American League with a .367 batting average (18x49) in 13 games during July.

• Signed a four-year contract extension on August 2, keeping him in a Tigers uniform through 2009.

• Batted .324 (36x111) with 18 runs scored, five doubles and 10 RBI in 26 games during August -- tied for fifth in the league with 36 hits during the month.

• Earned Tigers Player of the Month honors for September/October after hitting .330 (36x109) with 18 runs scored, seven doubles, a triple, four home runs and nine RBI -- tied for 11th in the league with 36 hits.

• In 70 games prior to the all-star break, he hit .319 (84x263)...batted .345 (82x238) in 59 games following the all-star break -- second-best in the American League.

• Combined to hit .397 (94x237) in 62 games at home -- best among all major league players...batted .273 (72x264) in 67 games on the road.

• Finished eighth among all major leaguers with a .348 batting average (56x161) against lefthanded pitchers...batted .324 (110x340) with righties on the mound.

• Hit .380 (38x100) with runners in scoring position and .360 (64x178) with runners on base -- both batting averages were third-best in the majors.

• Fanned once every 22.04 plate appearances -- best among all major league players.

• Led all major league second basemen with a combined .995 fielding percentage between Philadelphia and Detroit.

Belted a career-high 17 home runs for the Philadelphia Phillies during the 2004 season.

• Led all National League second basemen with a .995 fielding percentage -- established a Phillies club record for a second baseman.

• Eighth-hardest batter to fan in the league, striking out once every 14.2 plate appearances.

• Hit by a pitch 12 times, tied for eighth-most in the National League.

• Did not commit an error in 44 straight games May 7-August 1, a stretch of 220 total chances.

• Sidelined May 8-June 7 with a left quadriceps strain.

• Posted a 10-game hitting streak June 25-July 5, batting .362 (17x47) with seven runs scored, two home runs and six RBI.

• Did not commit an error over his final 48 games of the season August 5-October 3, a stretch of 252 total chances.

• Hit safely in a season-high 11 straight games August 28-September 10, batting .391 (18x46) with 11 runs scored, four doubles, four home runs and nine RBI.

• Batted .327 (33x101) with 17 runs scored, five doubles, seven home runs and 16 RBI in 27 games during August -- his seven home runs tied for 14th-most in the league and are the most he has hit in a single month during his career.

• Hit safely in 17 of his final 19 games of the season September 12-October 3 -- batted .395 (32x81) over the stretch, scoring 13 runs and collecting five doubles, two home runs and 15 RBI.

• In 25 games during September, he hit .342 (38x111) with 17 runs scored, six doubles, four home runs and 18 RBI -- tied for 15th in the league with 18 RBI during the month.

Established career highs in RBI (63), walks (42), stolen bases (14) and slugging percentage (.447) for the Phillies in 2003, while equaling his best in runs scored (87).

• Third-hardest batter to strike out in the National League, fanning once every 14.6 plate appearances.

• Named the best hit-and-run batter in the National League by Baseball America.

• Did not commit an error in his first 33 games March 31-May 25, a stretch of 157 total chances.

• Hit on the hand by a pitch from Florida’s Josh Beckett on April 15 -- sidelined on the disabled list April 16-May 1 with a spiral fracture of his right ring finger.

• Swiped a career-high two bases June 22 versus Boston.

• Collected a season-best four hits June 28 at Baltimore -- matched the high with four hits on July 8 at Montreal and July 24 at Chicago.

• Posted a 10-game hitting streak July 3-13, batting .500 (19x38) with 12 runs scored, four doubles, two triples, a home run and seven RBI.

• Did not commit an error over a 49-game stretch July 7-September 19, a stretch of 210 total chances.

• Matched a career high with four RBI in consecutive games July 24 at Chicago’s Wrigley Field against the Cubs and July 25 at Florida.

• In 25 games during July, he batted .400 (40x100) with 24 runs scored, eight doubles, two triples, three home runs and 18 RBI -- tied for the league lead with 40 hits during the month, while he was third with a .400 batting average and tied for fifth with 25 runs scored.

• Missed 16 games August 31-September 16 with a left quadriceps muscle contusion.

Opened the season with the St. Louis Cardinals before being acquired by the Phillies in a five-player deal on July 29, 2002.

• Established a career best with 32 doubles between St. Louis and Philadelphia.

• Tied for third in the National League with 13 sacrifice bunts...fifth-hardest batter to fan in the league, striking out once every 14.5 plate appearances.

• Batted .338 (51x151) against lefthanded pitchers -- sixth-best in the National League...hit .270 (107x397) with righthanded pitchers on the mound.

• Second among all league third basemen with a .978 fielding percentage.

• Named the best hit-and-run batter in the National League by Baseball America.

• Started the season with a 10-game hitting streak April 1-13, batting .313 (15x48).

• Recorded a season-best 13-game hitting streak June 6-20, batting .327 (17x52) with two home runs and eight RBI.

• Belted a career-high two home runs on June 19 versus Anaheim, while equaling his career best with four RBI.

• Collected a career-high five hits on July 7 versus Los Angeles.

• Registered a 10-game hitting streak August 18-29, batting .395 (17x43) with five doubles, two home runs and five RBI.

• Hit .319 (29x91) in 24 games during September.

The starting third baseman for St. Louis on Opening Day, he showed versatility during the 2001 season by appearing at second base, third base and shortstop.

• Established a career high with 87 runs scored.

• Led the National League with 20 three-hit games.

• Sixth-hardest batter to fan in the league, striking out once every 14.2 plate appearances.

• Batted .350 (50x143) with lefthanded pitchers on the mound, seventh-best in the league...hit .292 (123x421) against righties.

• In 21 games during April, he managed a .348 batting average (23x66).

• Did not commit an error over a 57-game stretch May 23 - August 5, a stretch of 185 total chances.

• Over the course of an 11-game hitting streak June 15-26, he hit .457 (21x46) with 11 runs scored.

• Batted .340 (32x94) in 26 games during June.

• Established a career high with a 20-game hitting streak July 21-August 11 -- batted .333 (28x84) over the course of the streak, scoring 13 runs and collecting six doubles, a triple, home run and six RBI.

• Drilled all three of his home runs during the season in July, finishing with a .333 batting average (28x84) in 21 games.

Spent his first full season in the majors with the Cardinals in 2000, batting .316 in 118 games.

• Belted a grand slam April 23 versus Colorado off Scott Karl -- established a career best with four RBI in the game... matched the high with four RBI on September 23 at Chicago’s Wrigley Field against the Cubs.

• Batted .349 (15x43) with three home runs and seven RBI in 19 games during April.

• Managed a .412 batting average (14x34) in 16 games during May.

• Sidelined on the disabled list July 1-16 with a right hamstring strain.

• In 11 games during July, he hit .345 (10x29).

• Hit .353 (18x51) in 22 games during August.

• Belted a pinch-hit three-run home run on September 3 versus the New York Mets.

Made the Cardinals Opening Day roster in 1999, the first time he had done so in his career.

• Batted .365 (19x52) in 20 games during June -- finished seventh in the National League during the month with a .365 batting average.

• Optioned to Triple A Memphis on July 16...recalled on August 1.

• Optioned back to Memphis on August 19, before being recalled for the remainder of the season on September 7.

Recalled by the Cardinals from Memphis for his major league action on July 3, 1998...made his major league debut as a defensive replacement at second base that day at Cincinnati.

• Collected his first major league hit, a single, off Brett Tomko on July 5 at Cincinnati.

• Belted his first major league home run, a solo shot off Rafael Medina on August 25 versus Florida.

• Compiled an 11-game hitting streak August 25-September 6, batting .412 (14x34) with eight runs scored, two doubles, a triple, home run and six RBI.

MINOR LEAGUE HIGHLIGHTS

Joined both Double A Reading and Triple A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre for a one-game rehabilitation assignment on June 3 and 4, 2004, respectively.

Saw action in 29 games for Memphis during two stints with the club in 1999.

• Posted an 11-game hitting streak July 25-August 23, batting .333 (17x51) with 10 runs scored.

• Collected a season-high four hits twice for Memphis: August 22 at New Orleans and September 2 at Vancouver.

Batted .280 in 70 games for Memphis before being recalled by St. Louis for the remainder of the season on July 3, 1998.

Second among all Cardinals minor leaguers with 148 hits for Double A Arkansas in 1997, while he tied for eighth with 71 runs scored.

• Selected to the Texas League’s all-star squad.

• Led all league second basemen with a .979 fielding percentage and 425 assists, while he tied for the lead with 110 double plays.

• Named the best defensive second baseman in the Texas League by Baseball America.

• Posted a 21-game hitting streak June 4-22, batting .337 (29x86).

• Hit .367 (18x49) over the course of a 12-game hitting streak July 10-22.

• Named the seventh-best prospect in the Cardinals organization following the season by Baseball America.

Selected to the Florida State League’s all-star team with Single A St. Petersburg in 1996, he led the league in games played (137), at-bats (540) and hits (157).

• Eighth in the league with a .291 batting average.

• Hardest batter to fan in the Florida State League, striking out once every 17.12 plate appearances.

• Topped all league second basemen with a .993 fielding percentage.

• Posted a 13-game hitting streak April 13-27, batting .276 (16x58).

• Led the Florida State League with 43 hits during May.
Second-hardest batter to strike out in the Midwest League in 1995, fanning once every 13.13 plate appearances with Single A Peoria.

Selected by the Cardinals in the eighth round of the June 1994 draft, he made his professional debut with the Arizona League Cardinals.

PERSONAL/MISCELLANEOUS

He, his wife Lily, daughter Aide Rose (6/4/00) and son Ishmael (11/3/03) reside in Miami, FL during the off-season.

• Graduated from Santa Clara High School in Santo Domingo, DR in 1991...played baseball and was a two-time most valuable player in basketball.

• Attended Miami Dade Community College.

• Honored with the Stockton/Broeg Award by the St. Louis Chapter of the BBWAA for outstanding achievement in both 2000 and 2001.

• Played for the Dominican Republic during the World Baseball Classic in 2006 -- batted .500 (9x18) with four runs scored in four games.

• Enjoys playing golf.

CAREER HIGHS
Hits: 5 (twice) - last, 7/27/07 at LAA
Home Runs: 2 (twice) - last, 6/4/05 vs. ARI
RBI: 5 - 7/1/05 vs. NYY
Stolen Bases: 2 (twice) - last, 9/5/07 vs. CWS
Hitting Streak: 20 - 7/21-8/11/01


GRAND SLAMS (1)
April 23, 2000 vs. Colorado (Scott Karl)

TWO HOME RUN GAMES (2)
June 19, 2002 vs. Anaheim
June 4, 2005 vs. Arizona

Phillies, Polanco complete deal
Gold Glove-winning second baseman will move to third

By Todd Zolecki / MLB.com

12/03/09 1:15 PM EST

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies signed Placido Polanco to a three-year, $18 million contract on Thursday.

The contract with the two-time Gold Glove second baseman, who will move to third base, includes a fourth-year mutual option.

Polanco, who played for Philadelphia from 2002-05, will replace Pedro Feliz, who is a free agent and is expected to sign elsewhere.

"We're very happy to have Placido back in a Phillies uniform," said Amaro. "He's a professional hitter who will enhance our lineup. As a Gold Glove infielder, we're very confident that he will make a smooth transition back to third base. Polly also gives us some added versatility at second base if and when Chase needs a rest."

Polanco, a career .303 hitter, spent the past four-plus seasons playing second base for the Detroit Tigers, who acquired him in a trade with the Phillies in 2005 for relief pitcher Ugueth Urbina and infielder Ramon Martinez.

Polanco hit .285 with 10 home runs and 72 RBIs in 618 at-bats last season with Detroit. He hit .341 in 2007 and .307 in '08.

He played only second base with the Tigers, with whom he won two of the past three American League Gold Glove Awards. Polanco has played 322 games in his career at third base, but only nine since the end of the 2004 season.

Polanco could bat between leadoff hitter Jimmy Rollins and Chase Utley at the top of the Phillies' lineup. Polanco struck out just once every 14.7 plate appearances in 2009, the second-best mark in the Majors. He has averaged just one strikeout every 17.5 plate appearances the past five seasons, which also is the second-best mark in the Majors.

It appeared the Phillies and Polanco's representatives were in serious discussions before the Tigers decided not to offer Polanco salary arbitration before Tuesday's 11:59 p.m. ET deadline. The fact that Philadelphia will not have to forfeit its first-round pick in the 2010 First-Year Player Draft to sign him must have made him even more attractive to the team.

Todd Zolecki is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs.