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'''George Andrew "Andy" Phillips''' (born [[April 6]], [[1977]] in [[Tuscaloosa]])  is a professional baseball infielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He has played for the New York Yankees, New York Mets, Cincinnati Reds and Chicago White Sox. Phillips was raised in Demopolis, where he played baseball for the Demopolis Academy Generals, now West Alabama Preparatory Academy.  
[[Image:Andy Phillips.jpg|right|thumb|Andy Phillips]]
'''George Andrew Phillips''' (born [[April 6]], [[1977]] in [[Tuscaloosa]])  is a former [[University of Alabama|Alabama]] and professional baseball player and now the hitting coach for the [[Alabama Crimson Tide]] [[Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team|baseball team]].


==Career History==
Phillips was raised in Demopolis (Marengo County) and played baseball for the Demopolis Academy Generals (now West Alabama Preparatory Academy). He was drafted as a shortstop by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 41st round of the [[1995]] MLB Draft, but declined to sign out of high school. Instead he accepted a scholarship from the [[University of Alabama]] and played on three Crimson Tide teams that reached the College World Series. For his college career he batted .356 with 322 hits (a team record). As a senior he batted .398 with 22 home runs, 22 doubles, and 66 runs batted in, and was named a first team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and ''Collegiate Baseball Insider''. He graduated in [[1999]] with a bachelor's degree in sports fitness management.
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. [http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player_career.jsp?player_id=425429]
==Major League career==
Phillips was picked in the 7th round of the [[1999]] MLB Draft by the New York Yankees. By [[2004]] he had reached the AAA International League Columbus Clippers. That season he led all Yankees prospects in batting average (.321) and runs batted in (101) and was second in home runs with 30. He received the Yankees' "Levin Lawn Minor-League Player of the Year" award and was voted Most Valuable Player of the International League's All-Star Game for his 10th inning walk-off home run.


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.
He was called up to the Majors for a [[September 14]], [[2004]] debut against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. In his first Major League at bat he sent a Terry Adams fastball sailing over the Green Monster for a home run, becoming the 21st MLB player to go the distance on his first pitch. The next spring he received the James P. Dawson Award as the Yankees' most outstanding rookie during spring training.


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 continued to shuttle between the majors and minors over the next few seasons, primarily backing up Jason Giambi at first base for the Yankees. When Bernie Williams moved from designated hitter to right field, Giambi was made a DH and Phillips became the starter at 1st. He began the 2006 season with a team-leading .333 batting average going into July, but struggled after that. The Yankees traded for Pittsburgh infielder Craig Wilson, but kept Phillips active as a back-up and utility infielder.


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.
Phillips' mother, Linda, was badly injured in a car crash in [[2007]], causing him to miss most of that year's spring training. He played in 15 games that season, going .192 in 26 at bats. Rookie Josh Phelps was awarded his spot on the roster. He came back in for Phelps that June and filled in when Giambi and Doug Mientkiewicz were injured. Back in the role of primary first baseman, Phillips again had a strong start, batting .320 in July and .273 in August. He was struck on the wrist by a pitch on [[September 2]] and required surgery to set the fracture, ending his season. Jose Molina took his roster spot and Phillips cleared waivers in December 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]].
In January [[2008]] Phillips signed with the Cincinnati Reds and started the year with the AAA Louisville Bats. He was brought onto the Reds' active roster on [[May 28]], but designated for assignment the following month when Jeff Keppinger came off the disabled list. He was subsequently claimed by the New York Mets, but stayed only a few days before being reclaimed by the Reds off waivers on [[July 3]].


==Pittsburgh Pirates==
In [[2009]] he was invited to the Pittsburgh Pirates' spring camp and performed well, but was sidelined by a back injury before opening day. He was assigned to the AAA Indianapolis Indians and appeared in 7 games before he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Michael Dubee on [[April 17]]. He was assigned to the AAA Charlotte Knights before winning free agency again in June. On [[June 23]] he signed with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Japanese League. In [[2010]] he played for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
On [[December 22]], 2008, he signed to a minor league contract with the Pittsburgh Pirates, and was invited to Spring Training as a "non-roster invitee", the same status in which he was invited to Spring Training with the Reds in 2008. He played so well early in spring training that he was considered a lock to make the opening day roster, but a back injury sidelined him for three weeks, and he ended up assigned to the Indianapolis Indians instead.


==Chicago White Sox==
==Later life==
On [[April 17]], [[2009]], Phillips was traded to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for pitcher Michael Dubee, and assigned to the Charlotte Knights of the International League.  He filed for free agency on [[June 15]], 2009.
In December [[2010]] head coach [[Mitch Gaspard]] hired Phillips as the hitting coach for the Crimson Tide baseball team.
 
== Hiroshima Toyo Carp ==
On [[June 23]], 2009 Phillips signed with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Japanese League.
 
 
==Trivia==
*His mother Linda was hurt in a car accident during Spring Training 2007, forcing Phillips to miss a few games. [http://newyork.yankees.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20070308&content_id=1833595&vkey=spt2007news&fext=.jsp&c_id=nyy]
*He once sang the Star-Spangled Banner before a Staten Island Yankees game when the scheduled singer could not show up.[http://www.siyanks.com/team/alumni]  He is also said to have the "best singing voice in baseball." [http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3082233&l_id=43&t_id=].  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.  


Phillips wife, [[Bethany Phillips|Bethany]], is a contemporary Christian music artist. They have one daughter, Isaiah.


==References==
==References==
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andy_Phillips&oldid=223770147 Andy Phillips]. (July 5, 2008). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 17, 2008.
* Suttles, Aaron (December 23, 2010) "Phillips ‘back home' with Crimson Tide." ''Tuscaloosa News''
* "[http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Andy_Phillips Andy Phillips]" (January 28, 2011) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - accessed April 6, 2011


==External links==
==External links==
*[http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=425429 MLB: Andy Phillips]
* [http://www.rolltide.com/sports/m-basebl/mtt/phillips_andy00.html Andy Phillips] at RollTide.com
*[http://www.baseball-reference.com/p/phillan01.shtml Career Statistics] from Baseball-Reference.com
* [http://mlb.mlb.com/NASApp/mlb/team/player.jsp?player_id=425429 Andy Phillips] at MLB.com
*[http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/players/profile?playerId=6063 Andy Phillips] from ESPN
* [http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/p/phillan01.shtml Andy Phillips] at Baseball-Reference.com
*[http://www.newsday.com/sports/baseball/yankees/ny-spyside0618,0,5169595.story?coll=ny-sports-mezz Phillips playing with different kind of pain]


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[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:1977 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Alabama Crimson Tide baseball players]]
[[Category:Alabama alumni]]
[[Category:Alabama alumni]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball players]]
[[Category:Alabama Crimson Tide baseball coaches]]

Revision as of 13:36, 6 April 2011

Andy Phillips

George Andrew Phillips (born April 6, 1977 in Tuscaloosa) is a former Alabama and professional baseball player and now the hitting coach for the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team.

Phillips was raised in Demopolis (Marengo County) and played baseball for the Demopolis Academy Generals (now West Alabama Preparatory Academy). He was drafted as a shortstop by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 41st round of the 1995 MLB Draft, but declined to sign out of high school. Instead he accepted a scholarship from the University of Alabama and played on three Crimson Tide teams that reached the College World Series. For his college career he batted .356 with 322 hits (a team record). As a senior he batted .398 with 22 home runs, 22 doubles, and 66 runs batted in, and was named a first team All-American by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) and Collegiate Baseball Insider. He graduated in 1999 with a bachelor's degree in sports fitness management.

Major League career

Phillips was picked in the 7th round of the 1999 MLB Draft by the New York Yankees. By 2004 he had reached the AAA International League Columbus Clippers. That season he led all Yankees prospects in batting average (.321) and runs batted in (101) and was second in home runs with 30. He received the Yankees' "Levin Lawn Minor-League Player of the Year" award and was voted Most Valuable Player of the International League's All-Star Game for his 10th inning walk-off home run.

He was called up to the Majors for a September 14, 2004 debut against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park. In his first Major League at bat he sent a Terry Adams fastball sailing over the Green Monster for a home run, becoming the 21st MLB player to go the distance on his first pitch. The next spring he received the James P. Dawson Award as the Yankees' most outstanding rookie during spring training.

Phillips continued to shuttle between the majors and minors over the next few seasons, primarily backing up Jason Giambi at first base for the Yankees. When Bernie Williams moved from designated hitter to right field, Giambi was made a DH and Phillips became the starter at 1st. He began the 2006 season with a team-leading .333 batting average going into July, but struggled after that. The Yankees traded for Pittsburgh infielder Craig Wilson, but kept Phillips active as a back-up and utility infielder.

Phillips' mother, Linda, was badly injured in a car crash in 2007, causing him to miss most of that year's spring training. He played in 15 games that season, going .192 in 26 at bats. Rookie Josh Phelps was awarded his spot on the roster. He came back in for Phelps that June and filled in when Giambi and Doug Mientkiewicz were injured. Back in the role of primary first baseman, Phillips again had a strong start, batting .320 in July and .273 in August. He was struck on the wrist by a pitch on September 2 and required surgery to set the fracture, ending his season. Jose Molina took his roster spot and Phillips cleared waivers in December to become a free agent.

In January 2008 Phillips signed with the Cincinnati Reds and started the year with the AAA Louisville Bats. He was brought onto the Reds' active roster on May 28, but designated for assignment the following month when Jeff Keppinger came off the disabled list. He was subsequently claimed by the New York Mets, but stayed only a few days before being reclaimed by the Reds off waivers on July 3.

In 2009 he was invited to the Pittsburgh Pirates' spring camp and performed well, but was sidelined by a back injury before opening day. He was assigned to the AAA Indianapolis Indians and appeared in 7 games before he was traded to the Chicago White Sox for pitcher Michael Dubee on April 17. He was assigned to the AAA Charlotte Knights before winning free agency again in June. On June 23 he signed with the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of the Japanese League. In 2010 he played for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.

Later life

In December 2010 head coach Mitch Gaspard hired Phillips as the hitting coach for the Crimson Tide baseball team.

Phillips wife, Bethany, is a contemporary Christian music artist. They have one daughter, Isaiah.

References

  • Suttles, Aaron (December 23, 2010) "Phillips ‘back home' with Crimson Tide." Tuscaloosa News
  • "Andy Phillips" (January 28, 2011) Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia - accessed April 6, 2011

External links

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