Jacoby Ellsbury is a former American professional baseball player who played as a center fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born on September 11, 1983, in Madras, Oregon, and grew up in Oregon and Colorado. Ellsbury played college baseball at Oregon State University and was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the first round of the 2005 MLB draft.
Ellsbury made his MLB debut with the Red Sox in 2007 and quickly established himself as one of the most exciting young players in the league. He was known for his speed, agility, and ability to steal bases, and he quickly became a fan favorite in Boston. In 2008, Ellsbury helped lead the Red Sox to a World Series championship, and he finished third in the American League Rookie of the Year voting.
Over the next several years, Ellsbury continued to be a key player for the Red Sox, earning two All-Star selections and winning a Gold Glove award in 2011. He also set a Red Sox record for stolen bases in a single season with 70 in 2009. In 2013, Ellsbury helped lead the Red Sox to another World Series championship, but he became a free agent after the season and signed a seven-year, $153 million contract with the New York Yankees.
Ellsbury's time with the Yankees was marred by injuries, and he struggled to live up to his massive contract. He missed the entire 2020 season due to injuries and was released by the Yankees in November of that year. In total, Ellsbury played 11 seasons in the MLB, finishing with a career batting average of .284, 104 home runs, and 512 RBIs. He also stole 343 bases, which ranks 77th all-time in MLB history.
Off the field, Ellsbury was known for his charitable work and community involvement. He was a frequent visitor to children's hospitals and was involved with several organizations that support military veterans and their families. Ellsbury was also a member of the Navajo Nation and was proud of his Native American heritage.
In conclusion, Jacoby Ellsbury was a talented and exciting player during his time in the MLB. He was known for his speed and agility on the field and his charitable work off the field. While injuries and struggles with the Yankees may have overshadowed his accomplishments in later years, Ellsbury will always be remembered as a key player on two World Series championship teams and one of the most exciting players of his generation.
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