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Derrek Lee
- Recipient of the 2003 Gold Glove Award
- Recipient of the Silver Slugger as the best offensive player at first base
- Had the highest batting average in the major leagues at .335
- Led all MLB players with 393 total bases, 99 extra base hits, a .662 slugging percentage and 50 doubles
- First in National League with 199 hits and ranked second with 46 home runs and 120 runs scored
- Traded to the Cubs in November 2003 after six years with the Florida Marlins
- Made his major league debut with the Padres in April 1997
- Works to bring baseball to the community through RBI Baseball
- Turned down a basketball scholarship to the University of North Carolina to play baseball
- His father, Leon, served as the Cubs' Pacific Rim coordinator from 1998-2002
- His uncle, Leron, spent parts of 10 seasons in the majors with St. Louis (1969-71), San Diego (1971-73), Cleveland (1974-75) and Los Angeles (1975-76)...
Lee, making an early run at the Triple Crown, should be a godsend for a sport that faces a crisis in its dwindling number of African American players. He is a brilliant all-around player, batting .387, hitting for power, using his speed on the bases, playing Gold Glove defense. He's also thoughtful and humble, untainted by scandal. –The Sporting News, Ken Rosenthal
Related Links
Photo Gallery: World Baseball Classic photos
On hitting inside pitches: "I think I was always able to hit the inside pitch," Lee said. "What gave me problems were other pitches, and I'd concentrate on those other pitches so I was susceptible to that pitch. That's just hitting. We can all hit all the pitches. It's more a thought process of what you're looking for. I think my thought process got better. I just understood myself a little more, which allowed me to be more patient at the plate and be more selective and hit the pitches I wanted to pitch." -MLB.com
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Height: 6'5"
Born: 9/6/75
Hometown: Sacramento, Calif.
Sport: Baseball
Position: First Base
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