Jason Bartlett is a former professional baseball player who played in the Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop for various teams. He was born on October 30, 1979, in Mountain View, California, and attended the University of Oklahoma.
Bartlett was drafted by the San Diego Padres in the 13th round of the 2001 MLB draft but did not sign with the team. Instead, he signed with the Minnesota Twins in 2003 and made his MLB debut with them in 2004. He played for the Twins until 2007, during which he established himself as a reliable shortstop and a solid hitter.
In 2008, Bartlett was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays, where he played for three seasons. He was a key player in the Rays' run to the World Series in 2008, where they lost to the Philadelphia Phillies. Bartlett's performance in the playoffs was impressive, as he hit .333 with two home runs and six RBIs in 16 games.
Bartlett's time with the Rays was the most successful period of his career. He was named an All-Star in 2009 and won a Gold Glove award in 2010. He was also a valuable contributor to the team's success, as they made the playoffs twice during his tenure.
After the 2010 season, Bartlett was traded to the San Diego Padres, where he played for one season. He then returned to the Twins in 2012 but struggled with injuries and poor performance. He was released by the team in 2013 and signed a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but he did not play in the majors that year.
Bartlett announced his retirement from baseball in January 2015. He finished his career with a .271 batting average, 31 home runs, and 286 RBIs in 892 games. He was known for his solid defense at shortstop and his ability to hit for average.
Off the field, Bartlett was known for his charitable work. He and his wife, Kelly, founded the Jason and Kelly Bartlett Foundation, which supports various causes, including cancer research and children's charities.
In conclusion, Jason Bartlett was a solid shortstop and a valuable contributor to the teams he played for during his MLB career. He was most successful during his time with the Tampa Bay Rays, where he was an All-Star and won a Gold Glove award. He retired in 2015 and is remembered for his charitable work off the field.
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