Royce Clayton was a professional baseball player who played as a shortstop for various teams in the Major League Baseball (MLB) during his career. He was born on January 2, 1970, in Burbank, California, and attended St. Bernard High School in Playa del Rey, California.
Clayton was drafted by the San Francisco Giants in the first round of the 1988 MLB draft and made his debut in the league in 1991. He played for the Giants for four seasons before being traded to the St. Louis Cardinals in 1996. Clayton played for the Cardinals for three seasons and was named an All-Star in 1997.
After his stint with the Cardinals, Clayton played for several other teams, including the Texas Rangers, Chicago White Sox, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Washington Nationals. He was known for his defensive skills as a shortstop and was a two-time Gold Glove Award winner in 1996 and 2000.
Clayton's best season came in 1997 when he hit .265 with 11 home runs, 70 RBIs, and 27 stolen bases for the Cardinals. He also had a career-high 183 hits and 105 runs scored that season. Clayton was a solid contributor to his teams throughout his career, finishing with a .258 batting average, 110 home runs, 723 RBIs, and 231 stolen bases.
In addition to his playing career, Clayton was also involved in various charitable organizations and was known for his philanthropic efforts. He established the Royce Clayton Family Foundation in 1997, which aimed to provide educational and athletic opportunities for underprivileged children.
After retiring from baseball in 2007, Clayton pursued a career in music and released an album titled "The Last Train" in 2010. He also worked as a baseball analyst for ESPN and MLB Network.
Overall, Royce Clayton had a successful career as a professional baseball player, known for his defensive skills and contributions to his teams. He was also a philanthropist and pursued a career in music after retiring from baseball.
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