Ken Caminiti was a professional baseball player who played for several teams during his career. He was born in 1963 in California and attended San Jose State University, where he played college baseball. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in 1984 and made his major league debut in 1987.
Caminiti played third base and was known for his strong arm and defensive skills. He was also a powerful hitter, with a career batting average of .272 and 239 home runs. He won the National League Gold Glove Award for third base in 1995 and was named the National League Most Valuable Player in 1996.
Caminiti played for the Astros from 1987 to 1994, then played for the San Diego Padres from 1995 to 1998. He returned to the Astros in 1999 and played for them until 2000. He finished his career with the Texas Rangers in 2001.
Caminiti was known for his aggressive style of play and his willingness to play through injuries. He suffered several injuries during his career, including a broken hand, a torn rotator cuff, and a herniated disc in his back. He also struggled with drug addiction and admitted to using steroids during his career.
After retiring from baseball, Caminiti struggled with addiction and legal troubles. He was arrested several times for drug possession and was sentenced to probation in 2001. He died in 2004 from a drug overdose.
Despite his personal struggles, Caminiti was a talented baseball player who was respected by his teammates and opponents. He was a three-time All-Star and a four-time Silver Slugger Award winner. He was also a member of the 1998 National League Championship team with the Padres.
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