imported>CycloneYoris: Reverted 2 pending edits by 2600:1700:4241:D180:B467:AE46:931C:9ADE to revision 1312498939 by KuyaMoHirowo: Poorly explained removal of sourced content.

2025-11-01T19:59:12Z

Reverted 2 pending edits by 2600:1700:4241:D180:B467:AE46:931C:9ADE to revision 1312498939 by KuyaMoHirowo: Poorly explained removal of sourced content.

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{{Short description|American baseball player (born 1973)}}
{{for|the politician|Mike Cameron (politician)}}
{{pp-pc1}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2014}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
| image = 20110426-0003 Mike Cameron.jpg
| caption = Cameron with the Red Sox in 2011
| name = Mike Cameron
| position = [[Center fielder]]
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1973|1|8}}
| birth_place = [[LaGrange, Georgia]], U.S.
| bats = Right
| throws = Right
|debutleague = MLB
| debutdate = August 27
| debutyear = 1995
| debutteam = Chicago White Sox
|finalleague = MLB
| finaldate = September 12
| finalyear = 2011
| finalteam = Florida Marlins
|statleague = MLB
| stat1label = [[Batting average (baseball)|Batting average]]
| stat1value = .249
| stat2label = [[Home run]]s
| stat2value = 278
| stat3label = [[Run batted in|Runs batted in]]
| stat3value = 968
| teams =
* [[Chicago White Sox]] ({{mlby|1995}}–{{mlby|1998}})
* [[Cincinnati Reds]] ({{mlby|1999}})
* [[Seattle Mariners]] ({{mlby|2000}}–{{mlby|2003}})
* [[New York Mets]] ({{mlby|2004}}–{{mlby|2005}})
* [[San Diego Padres]] ({{mlby|2006}}–{{mlby|2007}})
* [[Milwaukee Brewers]] ({{mlby|2008}}–{{mlby|2009}})
* [[Boston Red Sox]] ({{mlby|2010}}–{{mlby|2011}})
* [[Florida Marlins]] ({{mlby|2011}})
|awards=
* [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] ([[2001 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|2001]])
* 3× [[Gold Glove Award]] (2001, 2003, 2006)
* Hit [[Batters with 4 home runs in one game|4 home runs in one game]] on May 2, 2002
}}
'''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 16 year career and is currently the Special Assignment Coach for the [[Seattle Mariners]].

In 2002, Cameron became the 13th player to hit [[Batters with 4 home runs in one game|four home runs in one game]]. He was also an [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star]] in 2001 and won [[Gold Gloves]] in 2001, 2003, and 2006.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061103&content_id=1731853&vkey=pr_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071215052631/http://sandiego.padres.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20061103&content_id=1731853&vkey=pr_sd&fext=.jsp&c_id=sd |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 15, 2007 |title= Mike Cameron wins Rawlings Gold Glove Award|access-date=August 8, 2008 |work=[[MLB.com]] |date=November 3, 2006 }}</ref> Mike Cameron has distinguished himself by being only one of 22 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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/4935778/|title=Cameron joins 250 HR/250 SB club|website=Major League Baseball|access-date=2017-01-09|archive-date=February 13, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213001740/http://m.mlb.com/news/article/4935778//|url-status=dead}}</ref> Cameron is also the only MLB player to hit two home runs in the same game with eight separate teams.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/camermi01.shtml|title=Mike Cameron Statistics and History {{!}} Baseball-Reference.com|website=Baseball-Reference.com|access-date=2017-01-09}}</ref>

==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 (Georgia)|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.<ref name="cannella">{{cite magazine|last1=Cannella|first1=Stephen|title=Home Runner CENTERFIELDER MIKE CAMERON IS A STAR IN SEATTLE BUT LOVES BEING WITH THE FOLKS BACK HOME IN GEORGIA|url=https://www.si.com/vault/2002/01/14/316740/home-runner-centerfielder-mike-cameron-is-a-star-in-seattle-but-loves-being-with-the-folks-back-home-in-georgia|access-date=13 January 2018|magazine=[[Sports Illustrated]]|date=January 14, 2002}}</ref>

==Playing career==
===Chicago White Sox===
Cameron was drafted out of high school in the 18th round by the [[Chicago White Sox]] in [[1991 MLB Draft|1991]].<ref name="cannella" /> His major league debut took place on August 27, {{Baseball year|1995}}, with the Chicago White Sox. In {{Baseball year|1997}} he won a starting job as the team's regular center fielder.<ref name="cannella" />

===Cincinnati Reds===
He was traded to the [[Cincinnati Reds]] for [[Paul Konerko]] in {{Baseball year|1998}}.<ref>{{cite web|author=on |url=http://berserkhippo.com/2011/07/mike-cameron-for-paul-konerko/ |title=Mike Cameron for Paul Konerko |work=Berserk Hippo |date=July 20, 2011 |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref>

===Seattle Mariners===
Along with three other players he was traded to the [[Seattle Mariners]] for [[Ken Griffey Jr.]] before the {{Baseball year|2000}} season.<ref>{{cite web|last=Megdal |first=Howard |url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/jack-of-all-trades-mike-cameron.html |title=Jack Of All Trades: Mike Cameron: MLB Rumors |publisher=MLBTradeRumors.com |date=July 9, 2011 |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref>

Cameron tied a major league record on May 2, 2002, when he hit [[List of Major League Baseball single-game home run leaders|four home runs in one game]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseball-almanac.com/boxscore/05022002.shtml |title=Box Score of Four Home Run Game by Mike Cameron |publisher=Baseball-almanac.com |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Jaffe|first=Chris|title=10th anniversary: Mike Cameron hits four homers|url=http://www.hardballtimes.com/main/blog_article/10th-anniversary-mike-cameron-hits-four-homers/|work=HardballTimes.com|date=May 2, 2012 |access-date=May 6, 2012}}</ref> becoming only the 13th player in MLB history to do so. His first two home runs of the game both came in the first inning, each coming after a home run by teammate [[Bret Boone]], making them the first teammates in history to [[List of Major League Baseball single-inning home run leaders|hit back-to-back home runs twice in the same inning]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/columns/stark_jayson/1377704.html|title=For one day, Cameron was best in baseball|first=Jayson|last=Stark|website=[[ESPN.com]]|date=May 3, 2002|accessdate=May 5, 2025}}</ref> In Cameron's fifth at bat, he hit a line drive to the warning track, just missing what would have been a record-setting fifth home run. He played in the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] in {{Baseball year|2001}},<ref>{{cite web|url=http://msn.foxsports.com/mlb/story/MLB-All-Star-Game-Boston-Red-Sox-Mike-Cameron-reflection-062911 |title=Morosi: Don't take your first All-Star Game for granted – MLB News | FOX Sports on MSN |publisher=Msn.foxsports.com |date=July 5, 2011 |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> reached the postseason twice and won the [[Gold Glove Award]] in 2001 and 2003 for his defensive play in the outfield.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/nl/marlins/2011-07-05-marlins-red-sox-cameron_n.htm |title=Red Sox trade outfielder Mike Cameron to Marlins |publisher=Usatoday.Com |date= July 5, 2011|access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> He led all major league center fielders in [[range factor]] (3.42) in 2003.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/range_factor_per_nine_cf_season.shtml |title=Single-Season Leaders & Records for Range Factor/9Inn as CF (s.1954) |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref>

===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 star [[center fielder]] and played most of his games in [[right field]] during the 2005 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://bigapplemetstalk.com/?p=1264 |title=Why is Right Field a black hole for the Mets? |publisher=Big Apple Mets Talk |date=March 21, 2011 |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref>

On August 11, 2005, in San Diego, Cameron collided with Beltran 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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050811&content_id=1166603&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym |title=Cameron suffers fractures in collision |access-date=August 8, 2008 |work=[[MLB.com]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080411072543/http://newyork.mets.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20050811&content_id=1166603&vkey=news_nym&fext=.jsp&c_id=nym |archive-date=April 11, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref> Beltran also suffered a concussion but was able to walk off the field with help.

===San Diego Padres===
[[File:Mike-Cameron-Padres.jpg|180px|thumb|left|Cameron with the Padres in {{Mlby|2006}}.]]
On November 15, {{Baseball year|2005}}, Cameron was traded to the [[San Diego Padres]] for [[Xavier Nady]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=2229061 |title=Padres acquire Cameron in trade with Mets |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=November 18, 2005 |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> He won his first National League [[Gold Glove]] award during the {{Baseball year|2006}} season with San Diego.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/gold_glove_nl_alt.shtml |title=MLB National League Gold Glove Award Winners |publisher=Baseball-Reference.com |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref>

After leaving the Seattle Mariners in 2004 via [[Free agent|free agency]], Cameron played his first game back in Seattle during inter-league 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 [[stimulant]]s for a second time and would miss the first 25 games of the 2008 season.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://slumz.boxden.com/f16/baseball-suspends-padres-cameron-25-games-failed-test-997275/ |title=Baseball suspends Padres' Cameron 25 games for failed test |publisher=Slumz.boxden.com |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3088062 |title=Baseball suspends Cameron 25 games for failed test |access-date=August 8, 2008 |work=[[ESPN.com]] |date=October 31, 2007 }}</ref>

===Milwaukee Brewers===
[[File:Mike Cameron.jpg|250px|thumb|Cameron playing for the Brewers in {{Mlby|2008}}.]]
On January 14, {{Baseball year|2008}} he signed a 1-year contract with the [[Milwaukee Brewers]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080114&content_id=2345176&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil |title=Brewers finalize deal with Cameron |access-date=August 8, 2008 |work=[[MLB.com]] |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701011409/http://milwaukee.brewers.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080114&content_id=2345176&vkey=news_mil&fext=.jsp&c_id=mil |archive-date=July 1, 2008 |df=mdy-all }}</ref>

On March 13, 2008, Cameron 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.<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3291106 |title=Brewers' Cameron applies for MLB exemption to use stimulants – MLB – ESPN |publisher=[[ESPN]] |date=March 13, 2008 |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="autogenerated1"/> If the exemption were granted, Cameron would have been permitted to use some [[amphetamines]] that are banned by the [[Major League Baseball drug policy]].

In November 2008, his club option was picked up by the Brewers for the 2009 season.<ref>{{Cite web |date=November 3, 2008 |title=Milwaukee Brewers pick up Mike Cameron option for $10M |url=https://www.espn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3680365 |access-date=September 14, 2011 |publisher=[[ESPN]]|agency=[[Associated Press]]}}</ref>

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.<ref>{{cite web|last=Spencer |first=Clark |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/07/06/2301072/florida-marlins-acquire-veteran.html |title=Florida Marlins acquire veteran Mike Cameron – Florida Marlins |publisher=MiamiHerald.com |date=June 10, 2011 |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref>

===Boston Red Sox===
On December 16, 2009, Cameron signed a 2-year deal with the [[Boston Red Sox]].<ref>Browne, Ian. [http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091215&content_id=7814688&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos Red Sox welcoming Cameron, Lackey] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091219124645/http://boston.redsox.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20091215&content_id=7814688&vkey=news_bos&fext=.jsp&c_id=bos |date=December 19, 2009 }}, [[Boston Red Sox]]. Published December 16, 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2009.</ref> He missed most of the season with a groin injury but managed to still hit 4 home runs on the season.

Cameron made 70 plate appearances for Boston in 2011, batting .143, before being designated for assignment on June 29.<ref>{{cite web|last=Nicholson-Smith|first=Ben|title=Red Sox Designate Mike Cameron For Assignment|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/06/red-sox-working-on-roster-move-involving-cameron.html|work=MLBTradeRumors.com|date=June 30, 2011 |access-date=June 30, 2011}}</ref>

===Florida Marlins===
On July 5, he was traded to the [[Florida Marlins]] for a [[player to be named later]] or cash considerations.<ref>{{cite web|last=Links|first=Zach|title=Marlins Acquire Mike Cameron|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2011/07/marlins-acquire-mike-cameron.html|work=MLBTradeRumors.com|date=July 5, 2011 |access-date=July 5, 2011}}</ref> He was released on September 13, 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20110913&content_id=24618160&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Marlins release veteran outfielder Cameron |work=Major League Baseball |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=September 14, 2011}}</ref>

===Washington Nationals and retirement with Mariners===
On December 19, 2011, he agreed to a minor league deal with the [[Washington Nationals]].<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/nationals-journal/post/nationals-mike-cameron-agree-to-terms-on-a-minor-league-deal/2011/12/19/gIQATVG94O_blog.html | newspaper=The Washington Post | title=Stats, scores and schedules | date=December 21, 2011 | first=Adam | last=Kilgore}}</ref>

Cameron never played in any games for the Nationals and announced his retirement on February 19, 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20120219&content_id=26754352&vkey=news_mlb&c_id=mlb |title=Former All-Star Cameron retires after 17 years |work=Major League Baseball |publisher=Mlb.mlb.com |access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref> He 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 same day.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mike-cameron-retires-as-a-mariner/ | work=The Seattle Times | first=Geoff | last=Baker | title=Mike Cameron retires as a Mariner | date=April 13, 2012}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Together with Greg Brown and [[Robin Roberts (baseball)|Robin Roberts]], Cameron wrote a book (aimed primarily at children) titled ''It Takes a Team: Mike Cameron'', {{ISBN|1-57243-502-X}}, where he presents his views on the importance of [[teamwork]] and describes his life. It was published in 2002 by [[Triumph Books]].

After being selected to the American League All-Star Team in 2001, Cameron used his salary bonus to purchase All-Star Game warm-up jackets for all of his Seattle Mariner teammates. During his playing career he was known for routinely sitting on top of the [[dugout (baseball)|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 is actively involved with the [[Make-A-Wish Foundation]] as well as the [[Starlight Foundation]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.latinosports.com/featured/former-met-mike-cameron-shares-his-thoughts-as-a-veteran-in-a-sox-uniform.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120330130713/http://www.latinosports.com/featured/former-met-mike-cameron-shares-his-thoughts-as-a-veteran-in-a-sox-uniform.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=March 30, 2012 |title=Former Met, Mike Cameron Shares His Thoughts as a Veteran in a Sox Uniform – Sports News, Blog, Videos, Collectables, and Memorabilia |publisher=Latino Sports |date=May 17, 2011 |access-date=September 14, 2011 }}</ref>

Cameron married his former high school classmate, JaBreka, in or around 1999. As of 2002, they had three children, sons named [[Daz Cameron|Dazmon]] and Mehki and a daughter named T'aja.<ref name="cannella" /> Cameron's 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.news-daily.com/news/2013/may/17/elcas-cameron-has-pedigree-tools-and-poise-be-star/ |title=ELCA's Cameron has pedigree, tools and poise to be a star | Clayton News Daily |date=May 16, 2013 |publisher=News-daily.com |access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.henryherald.com/news/2013/may/30/player-year/ |title=Player of the Year: Dazmon Cameron | Henry Daily Herald |date=May 29, 2013 |publisher=Henryherald.com |access-date=February 14, 2014}}</ref> Daz is currently an outfielder for the [[Milwaukee Brewers]] organization. On April 26, 2019, Mike returned to the [[Seattle Mariners]] as a Special Assignment Coach.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.seattletimes.com/sports/mariners/mike-cameron-returns-to-the-mariners-organization-as-a-special-assignment-coach/ | work=The Seattle Times | first=Ryan | last=Divish | title=Mike Cameron returns to the Mariners organization as a special Assignment coach | date=April 26, 2019}}</ref>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Biography|Baseball}}
* [[List of Major League Baseball career home run leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball career stolen bases leaders]]
* [[List of Major League Baseball single-game home run leaders]]
* [[List of second-generation Major League Baseball players]]
* [[List of sportspeople sanctioned for doping offences]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{baseballstats|mlb=111904|espn=3331|br=c/camermi01|fangraphs=1070|brm=camero002mic}}

{{S-start}}
{{S-ach|ach}}
{{Succession box| before = [[Mark Whiten]] | title = [[Batters with 4 home runs in one game]]| years = May 2, 2002 | after = [[Shawn Green]]}}
{{S-end}}

{{AL OF Gold Glove Award}}
{{NL OF Gold Glove Award}}
{{4 HR game}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cameron, Mike}}
[[Category:1973 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:African-American baseball players]]
[[Category:Baseball players from Georgia (U.S. state)]]
[[Category:Sportspeople from LaGrange, Georgia]]
[[Category:Cañeros de Los Mochis players]]
[[Category:Chicago White Sox players]]
[[Category:Cincinnati Reds players]]
[[Category:Seattle Mariners players]]
[[Category:New York Mets players]]
[[Category:San Diego Padres players]]
[[Category:Milwaukee Brewers players]]
[[Category:Boston Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Florida Marlins players]]
[[Category:American League All-Stars]]
[[Category:American sportspeople in doping cases]]
[[Category:Doping cases in baseball]]
[[Category:Gold Glove Award winners]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball center fielders]]
[[Category:Gulf Coast White Sox players]]
[[Category:South Bend White Sox players]]
[[Category:Utica Blue Sox players]]
[[Category:Prince William Cannons players]]
[[Category:Birmingham Barons players]]
[[Category:Nashville Sounds players]]
[[Category:Norfolk Tides players]]
[[Category:St. Lucie Mets players]]
[[Category:Lake Elsinore Storm players]]
[[Category:Pawtucket Red Sox players]]
[[Category:Portland Sea Dogs players]]
[[Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:21st-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen]]
[[Category:20th-century American sportsmen]]
[[Category:LaGrange High School (Georgia) alumni]]

Mike Cameron - Revision history

imported>CycloneYoris: Reverted 2 pending edits by 2600:1700:4241:D180:B467:AE46:931C:9ADE to revision 1312498939 by KuyaMoHirowo: Poorly explained removal of sourced content.