Carl Crawford

Carl Demonte Crawford (born August 5, 1981, in Houston, Texas) is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed.

Early life

Crawford, a native of the Fifth Ward area of Houston, attended Jefferson Davis High School in Houston, Texas, and was a letterman in football, basketball, and baseball. In baseball, he batted .638 as a senior.

Crawford was offered scholarships to play basketball as a point guard at UCLA. He also had an option to play college football as an option quarterback at Nebraska, USC, Oklahoma, Florida, and Tulsa.

He had originally signed a letter of intent to play football for Nebraska but he turned down both offers in favor of a baseball career.

Professional career

Crawford was drafted by the Devil Rays in the second round (52nd overall) of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft.

Minor leagues

In 2002, the Tampa Bay chapter of the BBWAA named Crawford the Devil Rays' Most Outstanding Rookie and he earned International League Rookie of the Year playing for the AAA Durham Bulls.[citation needed]

Boston Red Sox

On December 8, 2010, Crawford signed a 7-year, $142-million contract with the Boston Red Sox. His signing came two days after Adrian Gonzalez was traded to Boston.Crawford struggled to begin the 2011 season, batting .137 and stealing only 2 bases in his first 12 games.On May 3, he hit his 1,500th career hit, a single against Dan Haren of the Los Angeles Angels in the 3rd inning, becoming the 588th player with 1,500 or more career hits.

Awards and accomplishments
Crawford with the Rays

American League All-Star (2004, 2006, 2009, 2010)
Gold Glove Award (2010)
Silver Slugger Award (2010)
Fielding Bible Award (2006, 2008, 2009)
American League Stolen Base Champion (2003, 2004, 2006, 2007)
All-Star Game MVP (2009)
MLB modern-era, single-game, stolen-base record: 6 (May 3, 2009)[20]
International League Rookie of the Year (2002)
Negro Leagues Baseball Museum "Cool Papa Bell Legacy Award" (2003)
Tampa Bay Chapter/BBWAA Devil Rays Most Valuable Player (2004, 2010)
Tampa Bay Chapter/BBWAA Devil Rays Most Outstanding Rookie (2002)
Rays single-season runs record: 110 (2010)
Rays single-season triples record: 19 (2004)
Rays single-season stolen base record: 60 (2009)
Rays' all-time leader in at bats, plate appearances, RBIs, runs scored, hits, doubles, triples, strikeouts, stolen bases, and singles.
Named the Rays' "Face of the Franchise" by ESPN