Batting average .231 Name Eric Bruntlett Date joined 2008 Stolen bases 31 | Runs batted in 72 Bats Right-handed Home runs 11 Role Baseball player | |
 | ||
Similar People Pedro Feliz, Brad Lidge, Greg Dobbs, Brett Myers, Chris Coste | ||
Eric bruntlett mov
Eric Kevin Bruntlett (born March 29, 1978) is an American former Major League Baseball player most notable for his years as a reserve infielder and recording an unassisted triple play. He won a World Series title with the Philadelphia Phillies in 2008 and was on their 2009 NL-pennant Championship team. Bruntlett also played for the Houston Astros on their 2005 NL-pennant Championship team and the New York Yankees organizations.
Contents
- Eric bruntlett mov
- Eric bruntlett hits a double off the leftfield wall
- Early life and education
- Minor leagues
- Houston Astros
- 2008
- 2009
- 2010
- References
Eric bruntlett hits a double off the leftfield wall
Early life and education
Bruntlett was born in Lafayette, Indiana and is a 1996 graduate of William Henry Harrison High School in West Lafayette, Indiana where he was a two-time All-Indiana selection in both baseball and football. He attended Stanford University. During his tenure as a member of the Cardinal, Stanford made three appearances in the College World Series.
Minor leagues
Bruntlett was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 9th Round of the 2000 Amateur Entry Draft. He was assigned to the Martinsville Astros. He quickly progressed through the minor league system and reached the major leagues in 2003 with Houston.
Houston Astros
During his first years with the Astros, Bruntlett primarily served as a backup to shortstop Adam Everett but also played second base, third base, and the outfield. His best season was in 2006, hitting .277 in 73 games and posting a .412 batting average as a pinch hitter. On November 7, 2007, Bruntlett was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies along with Brad Lidge for Geoff Geary, Michael Bourn, and Mike Costanzo.
2008
Bruntlett hit .217 with 46 hits, 2 home runs, and 15 RBIs.
His biggest mark was left in the post-season. He hit a home run in Game 2 of the World Series followed by a game-winning run in Game 3. Bruntlett would cap off his World Series performance by scoring the series-clinching run in Game 5, allowing the Phillies to win their first World Series since 1980 and second overall.
2009
Bruntlett performed the fifteenth unassisted triple play of the modern era in the bottom of the ninth inning on August 23, against the New York Mets at Citi Field, when he caught a line drive from Jeff Francoeur, tagged second base to double off Luis Castillo, and tagged Daniel Murphy as he was running to second base. Both Castillo and Murphy had reached base on misplays by Bruntlett. It was the second game-ending unassisted triple play in Major League Baseball history and the first in the National League, preserving a 9–7 Phillies win. Rather than accepting an assignment to Triple-A, Bruntlett was released by the Phillies on November 16.
2010
On December 28, 2009, Bruntlett signed a minor league contract with the Washington Nationals. He also received an invitation to Spring Training. He was reassigned at the end of Spring Training to minor league camp. He was released on June 2, 2010. On June 17, 2010, Bruntlett signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees; he was granted free agency on November 6, 2010. He decided to retire from baseball and be a stay-at-home dad rather than spend another year in AAA.