Billy Butler is a former professional baseball player who spent the majority of his career as a designated hitter and first baseman. He was born on April 18, 1986, in Orange Park, Florida, and attended high school in Jacksonville.
Butler was drafted by the Kansas City Royals in the first round of the 2004 MLB draft and made his major league debut in 2007. He quickly established himself as a reliable hitter, batting .292 with 15 home runs and 78 RBIs in his rookie season.
Over the course of his career, Butler played for the Royals, Oakland Athletics, and New York Yankees. He was known for his ability to hit for average and power, as well as his durability and consistency. In 2012, he was named an All-Star for the first time and finished the season with a .313 batting average, 29 home runs, and 107 RBIs.
Butler's best season came in 2013, when he hit .289 with 15 home runs and 82 RBIs in just 129 games. He also helped lead the Royals to their first playoff appearance in 29 years, batting .262 with two home runs and six RBIs in the postseason.
Despite his success on the field, Butler's career was not without controversy. In 2014, he was involved in a clubhouse altercation with teammate Danny Valencia, which resulted in a concussion for Butler. He also struggled with weight issues throughout his career, which led to criticism from fans and the media.
Butler's career began to decline in his final few seasons, as he struggled to maintain his production at the plate. He was released by the Athletics in 2016 and signed a minor league contract with the Yankees, but he never played in the majors again.
Overall, Butler had a solid career as a professional baseball player, finishing with a .290 batting average, 147 home runs, and 709 RBIs in 1,566 games. He was a three-time finalist for the Edgar Martinez Award, which recognizes the best designated hitter in the American League.
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