John Jaha was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues for nine seasons. He was primarily a first baseman and designated hitter, known for his power hitting and ability to get on base. Jaha was born on December 27, 1966, in Portland, Oregon, and attended Gonzaga University in Spokane, Washington.
Jaha was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round of the 1984 MLB draft. He spent several years in the minor leagues before making his Major League debut in 1992. In his rookie season, Jaha hit .267 with 18 home runs and 63 RBIs in 123 games. He quickly established himself as a reliable power hitter, hitting at least 20 home runs in each of his first four seasons.
Jaha's best season came in 1996 when he hit .291 with 34 home runs and 118 RBIs. He was named an All-Star for the first and only time in his career and finished 11th in the American League MVP voting. Jaha's performance helped lead the Brewers to a second-place finish in the AL Central division.
Injuries began to take a toll on Jaha's career in the late 1990s. He missed significant time in 1998 and 1999 due to a shoulder injury and a herniated disc in his back. Despite the injuries, Jaha continued to produce when he was on the field. He hit .300 with 13 home runs and 49 RBIs in just 84 games in 1999.
Jaha's final season in the Major Leagues came in 2001 with the Oakland Athletics. He hit .282 with 11 home runs and 44 RBIs in 84 games. Jaha became a free agent after the season but was unable to find a team willing to sign him. He retired from baseball in 2002 at the age of 35.
In his nine-year career, Jaha hit .267 with 141 home runs and 490 RBIs in 905 games. He had a career on-base percentage of .362 and a slugging percentage of .481. Jaha was known for his ability to draw walks, finishing in the top 10 in the American League in walks three times.
After retiring from baseball, Jaha returned to his hometown of Portland, Oregon, where he became a successful businessman. He owns several restaurants and bars in the area, including the popular John's Marketplace. Jaha also stays involved in baseball, coaching youth teams and serving as a color commentator for the Portland Beavers minor league team.
Overall, John Jaha had a successful career in the Major Leagues, known for his power hitting and ability to get on base. Despite battling injuries throughout his career, Jaha was able to produce when he was on the field and was a valuable contributor to the teams he played for.
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