The first Native American of Navajo descent to reach Major League Baseball
In short: Jacoby Ellsbury broke records on the diamond, from stolen base streaks to World Series feats. Beyond the statistics, he holds a unique place in history as the first player of Navajo descent to play in the Major Leagues, a milestone achieved while playing for the Boston Red Sox.
Born on September 11, 1983, Ellsbury's journey to the majors was marked by exceptional versatility and speed. He spent three years playing college baseball at Oregon State University following his selection by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays during the 2002 MLB draft's 23rd round. This path led to him being selected in the first round of the 2005 draft by the Boston Red Sox as the 23rd overall pick, a spot earned as compensation from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
His impact was immediate. Following his 2007 MLB debut, he excelled in the postseason, notably as the fourth rookie to ever record three doubles during a single World Series game. During the 2007 World Series, he was part of the Red Sox squad that secured a four-game sweep over the Colorado Rockies. His capacity for reaching base was so exceptional that he retired holding the career and single-season records for reaching base through catcher's interference.
Ellsbury's career was defined by elite baserunning and defensive excellence. On three separate occasions—in 2008, 2009, and 2013—he topped the American League in stolen bases. A standout 2009 campaign saw him secure the MLB.com Defensive Player of the Year title and record 70 stolen bases, the American League's highest total. In 2011, he achieved a rare trifecta, winning a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger Award, and being named the American League Comeback Player of the Year.
An enrolled member of the Colorado River Indian Tribes, Ellsbury's heritage is deeply rooted. His mother, Margie, is a full-blooded Navajo and a descendant of the 19th-century tribal leader Ganado Mucho. His professional career saw him move from the Red Sox to the New York Yankees, where he signed a seven-year, $153 million contract following the 2013 season, before eventually being released on November 20, 2019.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Jacoby Ellsbury
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