John Buck is a former professional baseball player who played as a catcher for various teams during his career. He was born on July 7, 1980, in Kemmerer, Wyoming, and attended Taylorsville High School in Utah. Buck was drafted by the Houston Astros in the seventh round of the 1998 Major League Baseball draft and made his debut in the major leagues in 2004.
Buck played for several teams during his career, including the Astros, Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Seattle Mariners. He was known for his strong arm and defensive skills as a catcher, and he was also a reliable hitter with some power.
Buck had some of his best seasons with the Royals, where he played from 2007 to 2010. In 2009, he hit a career-high 25 home runs and had 75 RBIs, earning him a spot on the American League All-Star team. He also won a Gold Glove award for his defensive play that year.
After leaving the Royals, Buck played for several other teams, but he never quite matched the success he had in Kansas City. He did have some memorable moments, however, such as hitting a grand slam in his first game with the Mets in 2013.
Buck retired from baseball after the 2014 season, finishing his career with a .234 batting average, 134 home runs, and 538 RBIs. He also had a reputation as a good teammate and a leader in the clubhouse.
Since retiring, Buck has stayed involved in baseball as a coach and broadcaster. He has worked as a catching instructor for the Arizona Diamondbacks and as a color commentator for the Miami Marlins. He has also done some work as a studio analyst for MLB Network.
Overall, John Buck had a solid career as a catcher in the major leagues. While he may not have been a superstar, he was a reliable player who contributed to his teams both on and off the field. His strong arm and defensive skills made him a valuable asset behind the plate, and his leadership and work ethic earned him the respect of his teammates and coaches.
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