Chone Figgins is a former Major League Baseball player who played for several teams during his career. He was born on January 22, 1978, in Leary, Georgia, and attended Brandon High School in Florida. Figgins was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the fourth round of the 1997 MLB draft but did not sign with the team. Instead, he attended the University of South Florida and played college baseball for the South Florida Bulls.
Figgins was eventually drafted by the Anaheim Angels in the 1998 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 2002. He quickly became a fan favorite for his speed and versatility, playing multiple positions including third base, second base, and outfield. In 2004, Figgins had a breakout season, hitting .296 with 34 stolen bases and 94 runs scored. He also helped lead the Angels to a World Series championship that year.
Figgins continued to be a productive player for the Angels over the next few seasons, earning a reputation as one of the best leadoff hitters in the game. He was named to the American League All-Star team in 2009 and finished the season with a career-high .395 on-base percentage. Figgins also led the league in walks that year with 101.
After the 2009 season, Figgins became a free agent and signed a four-year, $36 million contract with the Seattle Mariners. However, his time in Seattle was largely disappointing, as he struggled to replicate his success from his time with the Angels. Figgins hit just .227 in his first season with the Mariners and was eventually moved to the bench.
Figgins continued to struggle in 2011 and 2012, hitting just .188 and .181, respectively. He was eventually released by the Mariners in November 2012, with one year remaining on his contract. Figgins sat out the 2013 season but attempted a comeback with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2014. However, he was released by the team during spring training and ultimately decided to retire from baseball.
Overall, Figgins had a solid career in the major leagues, finishing with a .276 batting average, 35 home runs, and 341 stolen bases. He was known for his speed and versatility, playing multiple positions throughout his career. While his time with the Mariners was largely disappointing, Figgins will be remembered as one of the best players in Angels history and a key contributor to their 2004 World Series championship.
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