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Chris Woodward

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Chris Woodward
Woodward coaching the Dodgers in 2017
Infielder / Manager
Born: (1976-06-27) June 27, 1976 (age 48)
Covina, California, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
MLB debut
June 7, 1999, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last MLB appearance
September 27, 2011, for the Toronto Blue Jays
MLB statistics
Batting average.239
Home runs33
Runs batted in191
Managerial record211–287
Winning %.424
Teams
As player
As manager
As coach

Christopher Michael Woodward (born June 27, 1976) is an American former professional baseball utility player, coach and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, New York Mets, Atlanta Braves, Seattle Mariners, and Boston Red Sox, from 1999 through 2012. He then served as a coach for the Mariners and Los Angeles Dodgers, from 2014 through 2018 and managed the Texas Rangers from 2019 to 2022. He is currently a special assistant and roving instructor for the Dodgers.

Baseball career

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Amateur career

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Woodward attended Northview High School in Covina, California,[1] and Mt. San Antonio College.[2]

Toronto Blue Jays

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The Toronto Blue Jays selected Woodward in the 54th round of the 1994 Major League Baseball draft. He made his major league debut on June 7, 1999, hitting a sacrifice fly in an 8–2 loss to the New York Mets.

From 2002 through 2004, Woodward was the starting shortstop in about half of Toronto's games. On August 7, 2002, he achieved a rare feat by hitting three home runs in one game as a shortstop (the first as a Blue Jay and the 15th overall).[3] After an injury-plagued and difficult offensive season in 2004, the Blue Jays released him.

New York Mets

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In 2005, Woodward signed with the New York Mets. Woodward was the epitome of flexibility, playing at seven different positions including the entire infield and performing well off the bench and as a starter and even managed two game-winning hits. In 2006, he struggled with injuries and the Mets chose not to re-sign him.

Atlanta Braves

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Woodward batting for the Atlanta Braves in 2007.

On December 20, 2006, Woodward agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Braves.[4] He went through a huge down season in Atlanta however, hitting an MLB-position player worst .199 with one home run.

Yankees, Phillies, and Brewers

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On February 8, 2008, Woodward signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees then was released on March 26 and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies on March 28, 2008, where he was assigned to the Phillies' Triple-A affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs. On May 2, 2008, Woodward was released. He signed a minor league contract with the Milwaukee Brewers on May 31, 2008, and was assigned to the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. He became a free agent following the season.

Seattle Mariners

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Woodward signed a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training with the Seattle Mariners in 2009.[5] On June 19, 2009, Woodward was called up from the Triple-A Tacoma Rainiers after second baseman José López was placed on the bereavement list.[6] He made his debut for the Mariners that night, in their 4–3 win against the Arizona Diamondbacks, he was 2 for 4 in that game with a stolen base and a run scored. On August 4, Woodward was designated for assignment to make way for Adrián Beltré who was activated from the 15-day disabled list the same day.[7]

He hit .299 with 52 hits, 12 doubles, one triple, one home run, 15 runs batted in (RBIs) and four stolen bases in 51 games with the Triple-A Rainiers. With the Mariners he hit .239 with one double and five RBIs in 20 games.

Boston Red Sox

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On August 7, Woodward was claimed off waivers by the Boston Red Sox only to be designated for assignment eight days later on August 15, due to the acquisition of Álex González. He was later optioned to the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox and would be called up in September when rosters expanded.

Second stint with the Mariners

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Woodward and the Seattle Mariners reached an agreement on a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training on January 6, 2010.[8]

Second stint with the Blue Jays

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Woodward with the 51s in 2011

On March 14, 2011, Woodward signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays.[9] Woodward was called up by the Blue Jays organization on April 21, 2011.[10] He was outrighted to the minors on April 28. He returned to the team on September 4 for the remainder of the season. For the season, he was hitless and did not reach base in ten at bats.[11][12][13] He was named a 2011 MILB.COM Toronto Organization All Star, after batting 296/.353/.474 with 13 home runs in 422 at bats in AAA for the Las Vegas 51s.[14]

He became a free agent after the season, and re-signed to a minor league contract for 2012 by the Toronto Blue Jays, who invited him to spring training. On April 3, Woodward was assigned to the Las Vegas 51s. With them, in 2012 he batted .285/.338/.392 with 2 home runs, 34 RBIs, and 4 stolen bases in 309 at bats.[11]

Coaching and managing career

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Woodward with Cody Bellinger for the 2017 Los Angeles Dodgers

Seattle Mariners

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Woodward retired on November 1, 2012 and joined the Seattle Mariners organization as minor league infield coordinator.[15] He became the Mariners' infield coach in 2014,[16] and served as the Mariners first base coach in 2015, but opted not to return for the 2016 season after manager Lloyd McClendon was fired.[17]

Los Angeles Dodgers

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On December 17, 2015, he was named the third base coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers.[18] He spent the 2016 through 2018 seasons in that position.

Woodward managed New Zealand in the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualification tournament in Australia in 2016.[19] Woodward interviewed for the New York Yankees manager position after the 2017 season, which eventually went to Aaron Boone.[20]

Texas Rangers

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On November 2, 2018, Woodward agreed to a three-year contract to be the manager of the Texas Rangers beginning with the 2019 season.[21] On March 24, 2021, the Rangers exercised Woodward's option for the 2022 season.[22] On November 19, 2021, the Rangers signed Woodward to a contract extension through the 2023 season, with a club option for 2024.[23] The Rangers fired Woodward on August 15, 2022.[24]

Dodgers front office

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On January 20, 2023, Woodward was hired by the Dodgers as a special assistant in the front office as well as a roving infield instructor for their organization.[25]

Managerial record

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[26]

Team Year Regular season Postseason
Games Won Lost Win % Finish Won Lost Win % Result
TEX 2019 162 78 84 .481 3rd in AL West
TEX 2020 60 22 38 .367 5th in AL West
TEX 2021 162 60 102 .370 5th in AL West
TEX 2022 114 51 63 .447 Fired
Total 498 211 287 .424

Personal life

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Woodward is married to Erin Woodward, with whom he has three children. He met his wife, a native of Aurora, Ontario, while playing with the Toronto Blue Jays.[27]

He and his family reside in Chandler, Arizona.

On March 8, 2004, Woodward was featured in season 3, episode 18, of Degrassi: The Next Generation.[28]

References

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  1. ^ Stephen, Eric (December 6, 2015). "Chris Woodward reportedly will join Dodgers coaching staff". True Blue LA. SB Nation. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  2. ^ Plaschke, Bill (March 26, 2016). "Dodgers' third base coach Chris Woodward is learning on the job". Los Angeles Times.
  3. ^ "August 7, 2002 Seattle Mariners at Toronto Blue Jays Play-by-Play and Box Score". Baseball-Reference.com. August 7, 2002.
  4. ^ "Woodward agrees to one-year deal". MLB.com. December 20, 2006. Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved August 11, 2007.
  5. ^ Larry Stone (January 15, 2009). "Mariners will have 17 nonroster players going to spring training". The Seattle Times. seattletimes.nwsource.com. Retrieved January 10, 2010.
  6. ^ Stone, Larry (June 18, 2009). "Chris Woodward joins team, Jose Lopez on bereavement leave". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  7. ^ Baker, Geoff (August 4, 2009). "Chris Woodward designated for assignment, Jack Hannahan stays". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on July 18, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  8. ^ "Mariners sign utility player Chris Woodward to Minor League contract". MLB.com. January 6, 2010. Archived from the original on March 24, 2012.
  9. ^ Rutsey, Mike (March 14, 2011). "Brett Cecil: Blue Jays' Andy Pettitte?". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on March 16, 2011.
  10. ^ Lott, John (April 21, 2011). "Jays give Cecil a chance to 'catch his breath' in Las Vegas". The National Post. Archived from the original on July 17, 2012.
  11. ^ a b "Chris Woodward Stats". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  12. ^ Travis Snider, Chris Woodward Demoted By Blue Jays, SB Nation, April 28, 2011.
  13. ^ "Blue Jays send outfielder Snider down to triple-A Las Vegas". www.tsn.ca. Archived from the original on May 2, 2011.
  14. ^ "Chris Woodward Career Batting Stats (Minors)". MiLB.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  15. ^ Johns, Greg (November 1, 2012). "Chris Woodward, Brant Brown join Mariners' farm system". MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012.
  16. ^ Dutton, Bob (October 9, 2015). "Edgar Martinez, Chris Woodward will return to next season's Mariners coaching staff". The News Tribune. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  17. ^ "Mariners add Candaele, Hampton to big-league staff". theolympian. Retrieved November 23, 2015.
  18. ^ Weisman, Jon (December 17, 2015). "Dodgers name coaches for 2016". Dodgers.com. Retrieved December 17, 2015.
  19. ^ "Former Mariners coach Chris Woodward to manage New Zealand". January 27, 2016. Retrieved February 11, 2016.
  20. ^ Collier, Jamal (November 18, 2017). "Yanks interview Dodgers 3B coach Woodward". mlb.com. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  21. ^ Sullivan, TR (November 2, 2018). "Woodward to be Rangers' next manager". MLB.com. Major League Baseball. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  22. ^ Byrne, Connor (March 24, 2021). "Rangers Exercise Chris Woodward's Option For 2022". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  23. ^ "Rangers extend manager Woodward through '23". ESPN.com. November 19, 2021. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
  24. ^ Grant, Evan (August 15, 2022). "Rangers fire manager Chris Woodward in midst of fourth straight losing season". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  25. ^ Franco, Anthony (January 20, 2023). "Dodgers To Hire Chris Woodward As Special Assistant In Front Office". MLB Trade Rumors. Retrieved January 21, 2023.
  26. ^ "Chris Woodward Managerial Record". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  27. ^ Lott, John (March 24, 2011). "Woodward a Jay again thanks to spring visit". National Post. Archived from the original on July 16, 2012. Retrieved September 30, 2024.
  28. ^ "Rock & Roll High School". Degrassi: The Next Generation. Season 3. Episode 18. March 8, 2004. Event occurs at 17:22. CTV. Retrieved September 18, 2024 – via Plex, Inc.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Los Angeles Dodgers third base coach
2016–2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Texas Rangers manager
2019–2022 		Succeeded by
Tony Beasley (interim)
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