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George Kottaras

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George Kottaras
Kottaras with the Red Sox in 2009 spring training.
Boston Red Sox – No. 16
Catcher
Bats: Left
Throws: Right
debut
September 13, 2008, for the Boston Red Sox
Career statistics
(through June 12, 2009)
Batting average.211
Home runs0
Runs batted in6
Teams

George Kottaras (born May 16, 1983, in Scarborough, Ontario) is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Boston Red Sox. Kottaras attended Milliken Mills High School in Markham, Ontario, Canada.

Professional baseball career

Kottaras was drafted by the San Diego Padres in 20th round of the 2002 Major League Baseball Draft. He signed with the Padres in May 2003 after spending one year at Connors State College in Warner, Oklahoma.

Kottaras began his professional career playing for the Idaho Falls Padres of the Pioneer League, and worked his way up through the Padres minor league system to the Triple-A Portland Beavers in 2006. He played in the 2006 All-Star Futures Game for Team World[1] and was named number 48 in the 2006 Minor League News FAB50 List.[2]

On September 5, 2006, he was traded to the Boston Red Sox to complete a August 31 deal for David Wells and was immediately added to the team's 40-man roster.[3][4]

Kottaras played the entire 2007 season for the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox. He reported for spring training in 2008 but was optioned back to Pawtucket on March 17, 2008.[5] Kottaras played the regular and post season 2008 schedule for Pawtucket, but after Pawtucket was eliminated from the International League playoffs he was called up to Boston.[6]

On September 8, 2008, he was called up from Pawtucket[7] and on September 13, 2008, he made his major league debut in the 6th inning of a game against the Toronto Blue Jays and scored the only run for the Red Sox that game.[8]

In 2009 Kottaras' starts have generally been limited to games in which knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield is on the mound; Jason Varitek normally catches for the other pitchers in the rotation.

2004 Olympics

In 2004 Kottaras played for Greece's national baseball team during the 2004 Summer Olympics. His eligibility derived from his parents, both of whom are Greek immigrants to Canada. During the Olympics, Kottaras served as first baseman and backup catcher. As one of the few members of the team that actually spoke Greek, he also served as an interpreter.[9]

On July 21, 2004, Kottaras had three hits helping Greece come from behind to defeat Italy 11-7 for the team's first and only win in the tournament.[10]

References

  1. ^ "George Kottaras". The Baseball Cube. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  2. ^ "# 48 - George Kottaras". Minor League News. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  3. ^ "Red Sox acquire catcher to complete Wells trade". ESPN. 2006-09-05. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  4. ^ "#26 George Kottaras". Soxprospects.com. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  5. ^ Hayakawa, Mike (2008-08-21). "Baseball in Kottaras' blood". The Markham Economist and Sun. {{cite news}}: |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  6. ^ Steve Buckley (2008-09-09). "Club calls up catcher George Kottaras for 1st big league stint". Boston Herald. Retrieved 2008-09-09.
  7. ^ "Red Sox recall C George Kottaras and 1B-OFChris Carter from Pawtucket". Boston Red Sox. MLB. 2008-09-08. Retrieved 2008-09-18.
  8. ^ Hayakawa, Mike (2008-09-18). "Markham ball player joins big league team". Markham Economist and Sun. p. 27.
  9. ^ Evan Mohl (2007-06-01). "Kottaras finds place to hang mask". MLB.com. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
  10. ^ "Greek team gets first-ever victory". ESPN. 2004-08-21. Retrieved 2008-03-18.
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