Brian Giles was a professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. He was born on January 20, 1971, in El Cajon, California, and attended Granite Hills High School in El Cajon. Giles was a standout athlete in high school, excelling in both baseball and football. He was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 17th round of the 1989 MLB draft but chose to attend college instead.
Giles attended Grossmont College in El Cajon, where he continued to play baseball. He was then drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 17th round of the 1990 MLB draft. Giles began his professional career in the minor leagues, playing for several teams before making his MLB debut with the Indians in 1995.
Giles played for the Indians for three seasons before being traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1999. He spent the next seven seasons with the Pirates, where he established himself as one of the best outfielders in the league. Giles was known for his excellent hitting and fielding abilities, and he was a two-time All-Star during his time with the Pirates.
In 2003, Giles was traded to the San Diego Padres, where he played for the remainder of his career. He continued to be a productive player for the Padres, hitting over 20 home runs in each of his first three seasons with the team. Giles was also known for his patience at the plate, as he led the league in walks in 2005 and 2006.
Giles retired from baseball in 2009, finishing his career with a .291 batting average, 287 home runs, and 1,078 runs batted in. He was a two-time Silver Slugger award winner and finished in the top 10 in MVP voting twice. Giles was also known for his strong arm in the outfield, as he recorded 125 outfield assists during his career.
Off the field, Giles was known for his charitable work. He established the Giles Foundation, which supports various causes, including children's hospitals and cancer research. Giles was also involved in the Padres' community outreach programs, and he was named the team's Roberto Clemente Award nominee in 2006.
In conclusion, Brian Giles was a talented baseball player who had a successful career in the MLB. He was known for his hitting and fielding abilities, as well as his charitable work off the field. Giles will be remembered as one of the best outfielders of his generation and a valuable member of the teams he played for.
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