Gerald Laird is a former American professional baseball player who played as a catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for over a decade. Laird was born on November 13, 1979, in Westminster, California, and grew up in the state of Colorado. He attended La Quinta High School in Westminster, where he played baseball and football.
Laird was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round of the 1998 MLB draft. He spent several years in the Athletics' minor league system before making his MLB debut in 2003. Laird played for the Athletics for two seasons before being traded to the Texas Rangers in 2004.
Laird spent the majority of his career with the Rangers, playing for the team from 2004 to 2008. During his time with the Rangers, Laird established himself as a solid defensive catcher and a reliable hitter. He was known for his strong arm and ability to throw out baserunners attempting to steal.
In 2009, Laird signed with the Detroit Tigers as a free agent. He played for the Tigers for three seasons, serving as the team's primary catcher during that time. Laird helped lead the Tigers to the American League Championship Series in 2011, where they lost to the Texas Rangers.
After his stint with the Tigers, Laird played for several other teams, including the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, and St. Louis Cardinals. He retired from baseball in 2015 after playing for 13 seasons in the MLB.
Throughout his career, Laird was known for his defensive skills and ability to handle pitchers. He was also a solid hitter, finishing his career with a .243 batting average, 60 home runs, and 322 RBIs. Laird was a respected veteran player who was known for his leadership and work ethic.
In addition to his MLB career, Laird also played for the United States national baseball team in the 2009 World Baseball Classic. He was a member of the team that won the bronze medal in the tournament.
Overall, Gerald Laird had a successful career as a catcher in the MLB. He was known for his defensive skills, leadership, and work ethic, and was a respected veteran player throughout his career.
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