Pete Kozma is a former professional baseball player who played primarily as a shortstop. He was born on April 11, 1988, in Owasso, Oklahoma, and attended Owasso High School. Kozma was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft and made his major league debut with the team in 2011.
Kozma played for the Cardinals from 2011 to 2015, appearing in 275 games and batting .222 with 7 home runs and 56 RBIs. He was known for his strong defensive skills, particularly his ability to make difficult plays at shortstop. Kozma was a member of the Cardinals' 2011 World Series championship team, although he did not play in the postseason.
After leaving the Cardinals, Kozma played for several other teams, including the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Detroit Tigers, and Pittsburgh Pirates. He primarily played as a utility infielder and struggled to find consistent playing time. In total, Kozma played in 316 major league games and batted .215 with 8 home runs and 72 RBIs.
Despite his struggles at the plate, Kozma remained a valuable player due to his defensive abilities. He was often used as a late-inning defensive replacement and was praised by teammates and coaches for his work ethic and professionalism.
Kozma's baseball career came to an end in 2021 when he announced his retirement from professional baseball. He finished his career with a .215 batting average, 8 home runs, and 72 RBIs in 316 games played.
Overall, Pete Kozma was a solid defensive player who struggled to find consistent success at the plate. He was a member of a World Series championship team and was respected by his teammates and coaches for his work ethic and professionalism.
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