Jake Fox
Fox with the Baltimore Orioles in 2011
Utility player
Born: (1982-07-20) July 20, 1982
Beech Grove, Indiana, U.S.
Batted: Right
Threw: Right
Professional debut
MLB: July 19, 2007, for the Chicago Cubs
KBO: May 20, 2015, for the Hanwha Eagles
Last appearance
MLB: September 25, 2011, for the Baltimore Orioles
KBO: October 3, 2015, for the Hanwha Eagles
MLB statistics
Batting average.237
Home runs20
Runs batted in73
KBO statistics
Batting average.278
Home runs7
Runs batted in25
Teams

Jacob Quirin Fox (born July 20, 1982) is an American former professional baseball utility player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics and Baltimore Orioles, and in the KBO League for the Hanwha Eagles.

Early years

Fox is a graduate of Cathedral High School and went on to attend the University of Michigan where he earned first-team all-Big Ten conference honors.[1] In 2002, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.[2][3]

Professional career

Chicago Cubs

Fox was drafted as a catcher by the Chicago Cubs in the third round (73rd overall) of the 2003 Major League Baseball draft.

From 2003 to 2006, he spent parts of each season in Single-A ball for the Lansing Lugnuts and the Daytona Cubs, before moving on to Double-A in mid-2006. As a member of the Lugnuts, Fox was given the opportunity to catch for then-Cubs pitcher Mark Prior, who was on a rehab assignment.[4] He was ecstatic to catch for Prior, and even invited his family members to attend the game.[4] However, upon arriving at the club house, he found out that Paul Bako was actually slated to catch the game.[4] Fox approached his manager, Julio Garcia, who claimed that Fox was not experienced enough to catch a Major League pitcher like Prior.[4] Garcia then revealed that the team was playing a practical joke on Fox, and that he would actually be in the team's lineup.[4]

On July 19, 2007, Fox was called up from Double-A Tennessee to the major leagues after shortstop César Izturis was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Fox was called up with the intent that he would play first base, outfield, and be the third catcher. He made his major league debut on July 19, 2007, against the San Francisco Giants in a pinch hitting role and grounded into a double play. He had his first career hit on August 15 against Phil Dumatrait of the Cincinnati Reds, a double.[5] Fox hit his first career home run on June 25, 2009 against Armando Galarraga of the Detroit Tigers.[6] On August 29, 2009, Fox hit his first career grand slam against Bobby Parnell of the New York Mets.[7]

In Triple-A with the Iowa Cubs in 2009, Fox had a breakout year. He was batting .423 and had hit 17 home runs and 50 RBIs by June 1, 2009, and was leading the PCL in both of these categories along with RBI, slugging percentage, and OPS.[8] He was recalled to the Cubs on May 27, 2009.[9] Fox was optioned back to Triple-A Iowa on June 10, 2009,[10] and was recalled to the Chicago Cubs again on June 16. He achieved success as a part-time utility player, capable of filling in at corner outfield and infield positions, as well as catcher.[11]

Oakland Athletics

On December 3, 2009, the Oakland Athletics acquired Fox along with Aaron Miles, from the Chicago Cubs for Jeff Gray, Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla.[12]

Baltimore Orioles

On June 22, 2010, Fox was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for Ross Wolf and cash considerations.[13] In Spring Training in 2011, he led the major leagues in home runs, with 10, and extra base hits, with 17.[14][15] He was designated for assignment on June 1,[16] and elected free agency on November 2.[17]

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Fox to a minor league contract in November 2011,[18] and released him in June 2012.[19]

Somerset Patriots

Fox signed with the Somerset Patriots in July 2012.[20]

Philadelphia Phillies

On August 5, 2012, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Fox to a minor league contract.[21]

Second stint with Patriots

On March 6, 2013, Fox signed with the Patriots for the 2013 season.[22] He hit .310/.387/.572 with 25 home runs in 374 at bats.

Arizona Diamondbacks

On August 11, 2013, the Arizona Diamondbacks signed Fox to a minor league deal.[23]

Vaqueros Laguna

Fox spent the 2013–14 Mexican Pacific League season with the Cañeros de Los Mochis, before signing with the Mexican League's Vaqueros Laguna on February 7, 2014.[24]

Philadelphia Phillies (second stint)

On June 12, 2014, Fox was traded to the Philadelphia Phillies.[25]

Toronto Blue Jays

Fox signed a minor league contract with the Toronto Blue Jays on December 12, 2014, that included an invitation to spring training.[26]

Hanwha Eagles

He played 29 games for the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats before being released in order to sign a 1-year, $120,000 contract with the Hanwha Eagles of the Korea Baseball Organization.[27]

Philadelphia Phillies (third stint)

On January 8, 2016, the Philadelphia Phillies signed Fox to a minor league contract. He became a free agent on November 7, 2016. On July 29, 2017, Fox signed a minor league deal with the Philadelphia Phillies. He elected free agency on November 6.[28]

Coaching career

Fox was named as the hitting coach of the Augusta GreenJackets for the 2019 season.

Post-baseball

After a career in Minor and Major League Baseball, Fox entered the business world with his own brand The Fox Code, a lifestyle and clothing line inspired by the lessons he learned from the sport.[29]

Awards

  • Florida State League Player of the Week (5/7/06)
  • Florida State League Mid-Season All-Star (2006)
  • Topps Florida State League Player of the Month (June 2006)
  • Baseball America High Class A All-Star (2006)
  • Southern League Player of the Week (5/21/07)
  • Southern League Mid-Season All-Star (2007)
  • Southern League Player of the Week (6/23/2008)
  • Southern League Post-Season All-Star (2008)
  • Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (4/20/2009)
  • Pacific Coast League Player of the Week (5/18/2009)
  • Atlantic League Player of the Year (2013)
  • Baseball America's Independent League All-Star Team-1st Team (2013)

References

  1. ↑
  2. ↑ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). capecodbaseball.org. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  3. ↑ "2002 Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox". thebaseballcube.com. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Harris, Paul (May 20, 2004). "Prior makes first rehab start". MLB.com. Retrieved July 30, 2009.
  5. ↑ Associated Press, Cincinnati 11, Chi Cubs 9, Yahoo! Sports, Retrieved on August 16, 2007
  6. ↑ Muskat, Carrie (June 25, 2009). "Game Wrapup". Chicago.cubs.mlb.com. Retrieved 2011-04-05.
  7. ↑ Carrie Muskat (August 29, 2009). "Fox's first grand slam leads rout of Mets". Chicago.cubs.mlb.com. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  8. ↑ "Jake Fox Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  9. ↑ "Cubs add infielders Andres Blanco and Jake Fox, left-handed pitcher Jason Waddell to roster" (Press release). Chicago.cubs.mlb.com. May 27, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  10. ↑ "Transactions". Chicago.cubs.mlb.com. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  11. ↑ "Cubs recall INF/OF Jake Fox from Triple-A Iowa; place LHP Jason Waddell on 15-day disabled list" (Press release). Chicago.cubs.mlb.com. June 16, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  12. ↑ "Chicago Cubs trade Jake Fox and Aaron Miles to the Oakland A's for Jeff Gray and two minor-leaguers". Sports.espn.go.com. December 4, 2009. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  13. ↑ "O's deal minor leaguer, cash for Fox". ESPN.com. Associated Press. June 22, 2010. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Major League Baseball Stats: Sortable Statistics". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  15. ↑ "Major League Baseball Stats: Sortable Statistics". Mlb.mlb.com. Retrieved April 5, 2011.
  16. ↑ Ghiroli, Brittany (June 1, 2011). "O's designate catcher Fox for assignment". MLB.com. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  17. ↑ Kubatko, Roch (November 2, 2011). "Orioles claim O'Day off waivers; Fox a free agent". Mid Atlantic Sports Network. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  18. ↑ Langosch, Jenifer (November 23, 2011). "Pirates sign six players to Minor League deals".
  19. ↑ Dunleavy, Ryan (July 27, 2012). "Jake Fox's versatility a nice complement to a big bat". Courier News. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Patriots sign Jake Fox".
  21. ↑ "Jake Fox Signed By Phillies". Somerset Patriots. August 5, 2012. Archived from the original on October 25, 2013. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Patriots Welcome Back Jake Fox". SomersetPatriots.com. March 6, 2013. Archived from the original on October 24, 2013.
  23. ↑ Ashmore, Mike (August 11, 2013). "Fox Signed By Diamondbacks". Courier News. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Jake Fox llega a los Vaqueros Laguna" (in Spanish). MILB.com. February 7, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  25. ↑ Housenick, Tom (August 9, 2014). "Fox enjoying dual role in Reading". Morning Call. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Blue Jays sign Lopez, Gindl, Fox to minor deals". ESPN.com. Associated Press. December 12, 2014. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
  27. ↑ "KBO's Hanwha Eagles acquire ex-big leaguer Jake Fox". yonhapnews.co.kr. Yonhapnews Agency. May 15, 2015. Retrieved May 15, 2015.
  28. ↑ "Minor League Free Agents 2017". baseballamerica.com. Retrieved October 18, 2023.
  29. ↑ "Baseball | The Fox Code | United States". Foxcode. Retrieved 2019-05-20.
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