Mark Kotsay is a former Major League Baseball player who had a successful career spanning over a decade. He was born on December 2, 1975, in Whittier, California, and attended California State University, Fullerton, where he played college baseball.
Kotsay was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the first round of the 1996 MLB draft and made his debut with the team in 1997. He quickly established himself as a solid outfielder and was known for his strong arm and excellent defensive skills. He also had a good bat and was a consistent hitter throughout his career.
In 2000, Kotsay was traded to the San Diego Padres, where he spent the next four seasons. He continued to play well and was named to the National League All-Star team in 2001. He also won a Gold Glove award for his outstanding defensive play in 2002.
After his time with the Padres, Kotsay played for several other teams, including the Oakland Athletics, Atlanta Braves, Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, and San Diego Padres (again). He was a valuable player for each of these teams and was known for his leadership and work ethic.
Kotsay retired from baseball in 2013 after playing for 17 seasons. He finished his career with a .276 batting average, 127 home runs, and 720 RBIs. He also won two Gold Glove awards and was known as one of the best defensive outfielders of his time.
Since retiring, Kotsay has stayed involved in baseball as a coach and manager. He was a hitting coach for the San Diego Padres in 2015 and 2016 and was named the bench coach for the Oakland Athletics in 2017. In 2019, he was named the manager of the Sacramento River Cats, the Triple-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.
Overall, Mark Kotsay had a successful career as a Major League Baseball player. He was known for his excellent defensive skills, consistent hitting, and leadership on and off the field. He continues to be involved in baseball as a coach and manager and is respected by his peers and fans alike.
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