Mike Cameron

Michael Terrance Cameron (born January 8, 1973) is an American former professional Major League Baseball outfielder. He played for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox, and Florida Marlins over a 17-year career and is currently the special assignment coach for the Seattle Mariners.

In 2002, Cameron became the 13th player to hit four home runs in one game. He was also an All-Star in 2001 and won Gold Gloves in 2001, 2003, and 2006. Cameron has distinguished himself by being only one of 25 players in the history of baseball to have at least 250 home runs and 250 stolen bases and became the 20th member of this exclusive 250/250 club. Cameron is also the only MLB player to hit two home runs in the same game with eight different teams.

Early life Cameron was born in LaGrange, Georgia, and raised on Render Street by his grandmother; he moved into her house when he was seven years old to keep her company after her husband died. Cameron attended LaGrange High School. His grandmother kept him from playing baseball as a high school junior because he failed a chemistry class. As a result, he drew less attention from scouts. He played football in high school with future National Football League player Walt Harris.

Playing career Chicago White Sox Cameron was drafted out of high school in the 18th round by the Chicago White Sox in 1991.

Cincinnati Reds The White Sox traded Cameron to the Cincinnati Reds for Paul Konerko on November 11. Cameron hit .267 with a career-high .365 on-base percentage in his first season with Seattle, making his first postseason appearance. won his first Gold Glove Award, becoming the 13th player in MLB history to do so. His first two home runs both came in the game's first inning, each following a home run by Bret Boone, making them the first teammates in MLB history to hit back-to-back home runs twice in the same inning. his fifth at bat, he Cameron a line drive to the warning track, just missing what would have been a record-setting fifth home run. During the game, he also robbed Magglio Ordóñez of the Chicago White Sox of what would have been a grand slam. In 2002, Cameron led the AL with 176 strikeouts, the most of his career.

In 2003, Cameron won his second Gold Glove and led all major league center fielders in range factor (3.42) in 2003.

New York Mets On December 23, 2003, Cameron signed a three-year, $19.5 million contract to play center field for the New York Mets. In his first season with the Mets, Cameron hit a career-high 30 home runs. With the acquisition by the Mets of Carlos Beltrán before the 2005 season, Cameron surrendered his position to the future Hall of Famer and played mostly in right field during the 2005 season.

On August 11, 2005, in San Diego, Cameron collided with Beltrán in the outfield as both made diving attempts to catch a fly ball. Cameron suffered a concussion and multiple fractures of his nose and cheekbones, and was removed from the field on a stretcher. Beltrán also suffered a concussion but was able to walk off the field with help.

San Diego Padres

On November 15, , the Mets traded Cameron to the San Diego Padres for Xavier Nady. Cameron won a National League Gold Glove Award in .

After leaving the Mariners in 2004 via free agency, Cameron played his first game back in Seattle during interleague play in May 2006. Mariners fans greeted his return with a standing ovation.

On October 31, 2007, it was announced that he had failed a test for banned stimulants for a second time and would miss the first 25 games of the 2008 season. Cameron has said he believes that a supplement he took was "tainted." However, given the requirement of two failed drug tests before an announcement is made, this explanation is questionable. He was just the second major leaguer to be suspended for a second positive test for stimulants, following Neifi Pérez.

Milwaukee Brewers

On January 14, , Cameron signed a one-year contract with the Milwaukee Brewers. On March 13, he applied for a therapeutic exemption to use stimulants during the 2008 season because of his outfield collision with former teammate Carlos Beltrán. He claimed to be struggling with after-effects of the collision that ended his 2005 season. If he had applied for the exemption in 2007, he could have avoided the 25-game suspension he had to serve to begin this season for testing positive for a banned stimulant for the second time. He also told USA Today that he would see a neurologist to determine if he was suffering from post-concussion syndrome.

On May 24, 2009, Cameron hit his 250th career home run against the Minnesota Twins, becoming the 20th player in the league to hit 250 home runs and steal 250 bases.

Boston Red Sox On December 16, 2009, Cameron signed a 2-year deal with the Boston Red Sox. He missed most of the season with a groin injury, going on the injured list in early August. He hit four home runs in 48 games.

Cameron made 70 plate appearances for Boston in 2011, batting .143, before being designated for assignment on June 29.

Florida Marlins On July 5, 2011, Cameron was traded to the Florida Marlins for a player to be named later or cash considerations.

Washington Nationals and retirement with Mariners On December 19, 2011, Cameron agreed to a minor league deal with the Washington Nationals. Cameron never played in any games for the Nationals and announced his retirement on February 19, 2012.

Cameron signed a one-day contract with Seattle on April 14, 2012, to officially retire as a Mariner before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at the Mariners' home opener that day. On April 26, 2019, Mike returned to the Seattle Mariners as a special assignment coach.

Player profile Cameron was a strong defensive outfielder, winning three Gold Glove Awards as a center fielder during his peak.

Cameron did not receive any votes in 2017 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting.

Cameron was known as a good teammate, developing friendships with Ichiro Suzuki and Cliff Floyd.

Personal life Together with Greg Brown and Robin Roberts, Cameron wrote a book (aimed primarily at children) titled It Takes a Team: Mike Cameron, where he presents his views on the importance of teamwork and describes his life. It was published in 2002.

After being selected to the AL All-Star Team in 2001, Cameron used his salary bonus to purchase All-Star Game warm-up jackets for all his Seattle teammates. During his playing career he was known for routinely sitting on top of the dugout to sign autographs and talk with fans before games. He is also the founder of the Cam4Kids Foundation and was host of the First State Golf Tournament for Inner City Kids in Seattle in 2002; these in effort to raise money to provide scholarships to inner-city youth. He was also involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and Starlight Foundation.

Cameron married a former high school classmate in or around 1999. They have four children. Their son, Daz Cameron, played baseball at Eagle's Landing Christian Academy. He was drafted 37th overall by the Houston Astros in the 2015 MLB draft and has played for multiple MLB teams from 2020 to 2026. Another son played college basketball for the Tennessee Tech Golden Eagles, and a daughter ran track in college for the Ole Miss Rebels.