Mark Loretta is a former Major League Baseball player who had a successful career spanning over 15 years. He played primarily as a second baseman, but also saw time at shortstop, third base, and first base.
Loretta was born on August 14, 1971, in Santa Monica, California. He attended Northwestern University, where he played college baseball and was named the Big Ten Conference Player of the Year in 1993. He was then drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 1993 MLB Draft.
Loretta made his MLB debut with the Brewers in 1995 and spent four seasons with the team. He then played for the Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Dodgers over the course of his career.
Throughout his career, Loretta was known for his consistency and versatility. He was a reliable hitter, with a career batting average of .295. He also had a good eye at the plate, drawing 624 walks over his career. Loretta was a two-time All-Star, earning the honor in 2004 and 2006.
One of Loretta's best seasons came in 2004, when he played for the Padres. He hit .335 with 16 home runs and 76 RBIs, earning him a Silver Slugger Award. He also finished ninth in the National League MVP voting that year.
Loretta retired from baseball after the 2009 season. He finished his career with 1,713 hits, 76 home runs, and 629 RBIs. He also had a career on-base percentage of .360 and a slugging percentage of .395.
After retiring, Loretta worked as a special assistant to the general manager for the San Diego Padres. He also served as a bench coach for the Chicago Cubs and was a finalist for the team's managerial position in 2019.
Overall, Mark Loretta had a successful career as a versatile and consistent player. He was a two-time All-Star and won a Silver Slugger Award. He retired with over 1,700 hits and was known for his ability to play multiple positions.
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