Andy Phillips

George Andrew "Andy" Phillips (born April 6, 1977 in Tuscaloosa) is a Major League Baseball first baseman for the Cincinnati Reds. He also played for the New York Yankees from 2004–2007, and the New York Mets in 2008. Andy was raised in Demopolis where he played baseball for Demopolis Academy, now West Alabama Preparatory Academy.

Career History

Phillips was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers as a shortstop in the 41st round of the 1995 draft as a high school senior and again by the New York Yankees in the 7th round of the 1999 draft as a college graduate of the University of Alabama. He signed with the Yankees but did not reach the Major Leagues until a call-up session towards the end of the 2004 season; he made his Major League debut on September 14, 2004. In his first major league at bat, he hit a home run over the Green Monster in Fenway Park off Terry Adams of the Boston Red Sox. Phillips is one of four players to homer in his first AB as a Yankee, joining Marcus Thames, Bubba Crosby, and Todd Zeile. He became the 21st player in Major League history to hit a home run on the first pitch of his Major League career.

Also, in 2004, Phillips received the Yankees' Kevin Lawn "Minor-League Player of the Year" Award in a season where he led all Yankees minor leaguers in batting average (.321) and RBI (101), ranked second in home runs (30), and was voted the Most Valuable Player of the International League All Star Game after hitting a 10th inning walk-off home run. In 2005, Phillips earned the James P. Dawson Award as the Yankees' most outstanding rookie during spring training. [1]

Phillips' time previous to 2006 at the major league level had been limited to defensive replacement and late season call-up. In 2006, Phillips started the year as the primary backup at first base, behind Jason Giambi. This changed, however, when Gary Sheffield went on the disabled list. Primary designated hitter Bernie Williams took over the starting right field job, leaving the DH spot open. With Jason Giambi's bad knees, and his sub-par defense in the field, he became the primary DH. Phillips took over at first base and played well. This proved manager Joe Torre correct when he said all Phillips needed was more at bats. He led the team with a .333 AVG in June but cooled off immensely in July, where he batted .165. His poor play triggered GM Brian Cashman to go out and trade for Craig Wilson of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Phillips was kept on the roster mostly because of his versatility to play second base or third base. Also, he could play first if Wilson was forced to play the outfield or catcher. Phillips accepted his role as utility infielder.

A family emergency (his mother Linda was hurt in a brutal car crash) caused Phillips to miss much of his 2007 Spring Training with the Yankees. In the end, he only played in 15 games, saw 26 at bats, and had a .192 average. Due to his inability to make up for lost time and Josh Phelps' (Phillips opponent for a roster spot on the Yankees) outstanding performance (Spring Training stats include 3 homeruns, 14 hits, a .667 slugging percentage, and .389 batting average), Phillips was passed over for a roster spot on the 2007 team. When informed of manager Joe Torre's decision to go with Phelps over Phillips, Phillips reportedly thanked Torre for the opportunity and asked if Phelps had been informed of the decision yet so he could congratulate him.

Phillips was called up to the New York Yankees on June 19, 2007 after Phelps was designated for assignment. Throughout the 2007 season, Phillips became an important part of the team as a result of injuries to first baseman Jason Giambi and Doug Mientkiewicz. Due to these injuries, Phillips found himself used in the role of primary first baseman for the Yankees. He enjoyed great success through the months of July (hitting .320 with 16 RBI) and August (hitting .273 with 7 RBI). On September 2, while batting in the 5th inning against Devil Rays starter Jason Hammel, Phillips was hit on the wrist by a pitch. He would later leave the game and get an MRI and an X-Ray taken. It was announced on September 3 that Phillips had a fractured wrist and surgery would be required, needing 4-6 weeks, ending his season. Phillips was designated for assignment on December 3, 2007, to make room for Jose Molina. He cleared waivers on December 7, was offered an outright assignment to Triple-A Scranton, but declined the assignment and opted to become a free agent.

On January 4, 2008, Phillips signed a minor league contract with the Cincinnati Reds. On March 28, after hitting .277 in 2008 spring training, he was re-assigned to minor-league camp, and he began the season with the Reds' Triple-A affiliate, the Louisville Bats. On May 28, the Reds purchased his contract, and he was added to the active roster. On June 22, 2008, Phillips was designated for assignment to make room for Jeff Keppinger, who was coming off of the disabled list. Three days later, Phillips was claimed by the New York Mets and added to their 25-man roster. He was then designated for assignment by the Mets on July 1, 2008. He was reclaimed by the Cincinnati Reds off waivers on July 3.

Trivia

• His mother Linda was hurt in a car accident during Spring Training 2007, forcing Phillips to miss a few games. [2]
• He once sang the Star-Spangled Banner before a Staten Island Yankees game when the scheduled singer could not show up.[3] He is also said to have the "best singing voice in baseball." [4]. He also sang the National Anthem at the University of Alabama vs. Mississippi State University football game in 2006.
• His at-bat song is Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd.
• His wife, Bethany, is a contemporary Christian music artist.
• His at-bat song while playing for the University of Alabama was the theme to The Andy Griffith Show.
• He is active in the Fellowship of Christian Athletes.

References

• Andy Phillips. (July 5, 2008). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 17, 2008.

External links

• MLB: Andy Phillips
• Career Statistics from Baseball-Reference.com
• Andy Phillips from ESPN
• Phillips playing with different kind of pain