Doug Mirabelli is a former Major League Baseball catcher who played for four different teams during his career. He was known for his strong arm and defensive skills behind the plate, as well as his ability to handle a pitching staff.
Mirabelli was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the fifth round of the 1992 MLB draft. He made his debut with the team in 1996, but only played in 10 games that season. He spent the next two seasons in the minor leagues before being traded to the Boston Red Sox in 2001.
It was with the Red Sox that Mirabelli had the most success in his career. He served as the backup catcher to Jason Varitek and was a key part of the team's World Series championship in 2004. Mirabelli was known for his ability to catch knuckleballer Tim Wakefield, and the two formed a strong battery for the Red Sox.
In 2006, Mirabelli was traded back to the San Francisco Giants, but only played in 12 games for the team before being released. He then signed with the San Diego Padres, where he played in 31 games before retiring at the end of the season.
Throughout his career, Mirabelli was known for his strong defensive skills and ability to handle a pitching staff. He was also a fan favorite for his personality and sense of humor. In total, he played in 566 games over 11 seasons, finishing with a .231 batting average, 58 home runs, and 206 RBI.
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