John McDonald

John Joseph McDonald (born September 24, 1974) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Toronto Blue Jays, Detroit Tigers, Arizona Diamondbacks, Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Red Sox, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim between 1999 and 2014. Primarily a shortstop, he was also a utility infielder, with the ability to also play second base, third base and left field. He also appeared in one extra inning game in 2013 as an emergency pitcher. Known for his defensive ability, he posted a career fielding percentage of .974 in over 6,450 innings.

High school and college McDonald graduated from East Lyme High School in East Lyme, Connecticut in 1992. When he was not drafted by any major league baseball team in his initial draft year, he attended University of Connecticut Avery Point Campus, where he was NJCAA Division II All-American in 1994 as shortstop. He went on to play at Providence College in 1995 and 1996 on a partial scholarship, After he was drafted in 1996, he left Providence to pursue a career in professional baseball. At that time he was still several courses short of completing a degree; he earned his degree in 2010.

Professional career Minor league career McDonald was drafted in the 12th round of the 1996 Major League Baseball draft (363rd overall) by the Cleveland Indians, and entered the Indians' minor league system. In 1996, he played with the Watertown Indians of the Single A New York–Pennsylvania League, then moved to the Kinston Indians of the Single A Carolina League in 1997. In 1998, he was invited to the Indians' spring training camp, and moved up to the Akron Aeros of the Double A Eastern League, where his defensive plays at shortstop made him a popular player with the fans. McDonald is the only one of the four who played in the major leagues at every step of the trade sequence: for the team that initially traded him away, for the team that obtained him in the trade for a player to be named later (PTBNL), and once again for the initial team after being traded back as the PTBNL. The other players were either sent to the minors or were granted free agency immediately after being traded back as the PTBNL.

During the 2006 season, McDonald was the starting shortstop for the Toronto Blue Jays. On July 25, 2006, he hit his first career grand slam in a game against the Seattle Mariners and also drove in a career high of five runs. Although McDonald showed good defensive skills, his offensive hitting skills were weak—he had a .223 batting average, a .271 slugging percentage and a .308 on-base percentage during the 2006 season.

In a poll of viewers on Rogers Sportsnet, McDonald was voted the most popular Blue Jay, narrowly edging out Cy Young-winning pitcher Roy Halladay.

Despite his contract extension, McDonald again started another season, 2008 as the back-up shortstop due to the Blue Jays' off-season acquisition of all-star shortstop David Eckstein. However, when Eckstein was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks on August 31, McDonald once again became the starting shortstop.

At the start of the 2009 season, McDonald again found himself the back-up shortstop, this time behind newly acquired Marco Scutaro. However, McDonald once again became the starting shortstop when Scutaro was injured late in the season.

McDonald had a batting average of .258 in 2009. His slugging percentage of .384, on-base percentage of .271 and four home runs were career highs.

In the 2010 season, McDonald again began as the back-up shortstop, this time behind Yunel Escobar. McDonald missed much of the month of June to spend time with his ailing father, who would eventually pass away. McDonald returned to the lineup on June 20, Father's Day, hitting a home run in his only at-bat, afterward dedicating it to his father. McDonald hit a career-high six home runs in 2010, passing his previous season high of four.

On April 22, 2011, McDonald came into a game against the Tampa Bay Rays to replace an injured Jayson Nix, and hit his first career walk-off home run, a two-run homer in the 11th inning.

On May 28, 2011, McDonald was placed on the 15-day disabled list with a strained right groin. Mike McCoy was called up to take his place. McDonald was activated from the DL on June 17, 2011.

Nicknames as a Blue Jay While in Toronto, McDonald was popularly known in the media and by Blue Jays fans as "Johnny Mac".

Arizona Diamondbacks (2011–2012) On August 23, 2011, McDonald, was traded to the Arizona Diamondbacks, along with teammate Aaron Hill, for Kelly Johnson. During his time in Arizona, McDonald served as the Diamondbacks' primary shortstop following the trade in 2011 but shared his duties with Willie Bloomquist and Stephen Drew in 2012.

On November 2, 2011, the Diamondbacks re-signed McDonald to a two-year, $3 million contract.

Pittsburgh Pirates (2013) On March 20, 2013, McDonald was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates. McDonald was placed on the disabled list on May 15 with a low back strain. On May 27, McDonald started a rehab assignment with the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians.

Return to Cleveland Indians (2013) On June 10, 2013, McDonald was traded to the Cleveland Indians for a player to be named later or cash considerations. On June 26, McDonald was designated for assignment when Asdrúbal Cabrera was activated from the disabled list. McDonald was used as a defensive replacement during his short return to Cleveland, and was hitless in seven at-bats. On August 24, McDonald appeared as a pitcher for the first time in his career, and struck out Tuffy Gosewisch in his of an inning.

Boston Red Sox (2013) On August 31, 2013, McDonald was traded to Boston Red Sox in exchange for minor league pitcher Nefi Ogando. As McDonald was acquired prior to September 1, he was eligible to play in the postseason. He appeared in six games for the Red Sox in the regular season, hitting .250 in eight at-bats. He was placed on the active roster for the start of the regular season.

Retirement On January 7, 2015, McDonald announced his retirement from professional baseball.

Personal life McDonald met his wife-to-be, Maura, in a freshman English class at Providence College in 1995. They have two children, Jacqueline and Anthony.