Adam Alan Lind (born July 17, 1983) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners and Washington Nationals. Lind has also appeared as a designated hitter and in left field. In 2009, Lind won the Silver Slugger Award and the Edgar Martínez Award.

Adam Lind
Lind with the Blue Jays in 2012
First baseman / Designated hitter / Left fielder
Born: (1983-07-17) July 17, 1983 (age 41)
Muncie, Indiana, U.S.
Batted: Left
Threw: Left
MLB debut
September 2, 2006, for the Toronto Blue Jays
Last MLB appearance
October 1, 2017, for the Washington Nationals
MLB statistics
Batting average.272
Home runs200
Runs batted in723
Stats at Baseball Reference Edit this at Wikidata
Teams
Career highlights and awards

Early life

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Lind was born in Muncie, Indiana, on July 17, 1983, and later moved to Anderson, Indiana, where he attended Highland High School. He has an older sister, Allison.[1]

Lind was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the eighth round (242nd overall) of the 2002 Major League Baseball draft.[1] He did not sign with the Twins, and attended the University of South Alabama in 2003 and 2004 before being drafted by the Jays in 2004 as a draft-eligible sophomore. In 2003, he was named as a Freshman second team All-American first baseman and played collegiate summer baseball with the Wareham Gatemen of the Cape Cod Baseball League.[2][3] In 2004, he was named a Sun Belt Conference All-Star outfielder.[4]

Professional career

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Toronto Blue Jays

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Minor leagues

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The Toronto Blue Jays selected Lind in the third round, with the 83rd overall selection of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft.[5] In his first professional season, Lind hit .312 with seven home runs and 50 runs batted in 70 games for the Low-A Auburn Doubledays.[6] He was promoted to the High-A Dunedin Blue Jays in 2005, where he batted .313 with 12 home runs and 84 RBI in 126 games played.[6]

2006–2008

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Lind with the New Hampshire Fisher Cats in 2006

Lind was a September call-up for the Blue Jays in 2006, and his first major league hit, a double, came on September 2 against Lenny DiNardo of the Boston Red Sox.[5] He hit his first major league career home run on September 10 against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim off fellow rookie Jered Weaver.[7] In 18 games at the major league level in 2006, Lind hit .367 with two home runs and 8 RBI.[5][8] In the minors that season, Lind batted .330 with 24 home runs and 89 RBI split between the Double-A New Hampshire Fisher Cats and Triple-A Syracuse SkyChiefs.[6] For his efforts in Double-A, he was named the 2006 Eastern League MVP.

Lind was called up on April 13, 2007, from Syracuse to replace Reed Johnson, who was placed on the disabled list with a herniated disc in his back.[5] Lind was optioned to Triple-A Syracuse on July 7, 2007,[5] when Johnson was activated from the disabled list. For the 2007 season, Lind had a .238 batting average with 11 homers and 46 RBI.[8] After a poor start to the 2008 season, Lind was demoted to Triple-A. He subsequently hit .300 at the Triple-A level and earned a call-up again to the Blue Jays on June 21, 2008. After being recalled, Lind finished the 2008 season hitting .282 with nine homers and 40 RBI in 88 games.[8][9]

2009–2010

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In 2009, Lind was the Opening Day designated hitter for the Blue Jays and drove in six runs against the Detroit Tigers, a Blue Jay Opening Day record, propelling the Jays to a 12–5 victory.[10] He went on to tie the Blue Jays record of 11 RBI in five games to start the season, set by Carlos Delgado in 2001. Lind ended April with four homers, 20 RBIs and a .315 batting average in 23 games.[11] In a game against the Texas Rangers on August 31, Lind hit a grand slam, the first of his career, and had a career single-game high eight RBI.[12] He became the second Blue Jay of the 2009 season (after Lyle Overbay) to win AL Player of the Week (for the week ending September 6), sharing the award with Tampa Bay's Evan Longoria.[13] On September 14, Lind drove in three runs to reach 100 RBIs on the season, becoming the first Blue Jay to do so since Troy Glaus and Vernon Wells in 2006.[14] The next day, Lind hit his 30th home run of the season, joining teammate Aaron Hill with thirty or more home runs.[15] On September 29, 2009, Lind hit three home runs in a game against the Boston Red Sox.[16] He finished the 2009 season with a .305 batting average, 35 home runs, 114 RBI, 46 doubles, and 179 hits.[8]

Lind won the Edgar Martinez Award as the outstanding DH for the 2009 season on December 15, 2009.[17] He became the third Jay to win the award. Previous Jays to win the award were Dave Winfield and Paul Molitor.[17] Lind also received the American League Silver Slugger Award for designated hitter.[18]

On April 3, 2010, Lind signed a four-year contract extension with the Blue Jays.[19] He would earn $400,000 in the 2010 season, with a $600,000 signing bonus, and $5 million per season for 2011, 2012 and 2013. The Blue Jays also had the right to exercise yearly club options of $7 million for 2014 (or buy out the contract for $2 million), $7.5 million for 2015 (or $1.5 million buyout), and $8 million for 2016 (or $500,000 buyout).[19]

2011–2012

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Lind with the 2011 Toronto Blue Jays

On Opening Day of the 2011 season, Lind hit his first home run of the season, back-to-back with José Bautista.[20] On May 17, Lind was placed on the 15-day disabled list for "lower back stiffness", retroactive to May 8.[21] On June 5, Lind made his return to the lineup against the Baltimore Orioles.[21] He finished 0-for-3 with one walk.[22] On August 13, Lind hit his 100th career home run (and his second grand slam of the season) off Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim starter Jered Weaver.[23] In 125 games with Toronto, Lind hit .251 with 26 home runs and 87 RBI.[8]

In 2012, in a game against the Kansas City Royals on April 20, Lind recorded the first two outs of a triple play, the first triple play by the Blue Jays since 1979, and the fourth in franchise history.[24] On May 17, the Blue Jays optioned Lind to the Las Vegas 51s of the Triple-A Pacific Coast League. Yan Gomes was called up to replace Lind.[25] Later that month, Lind was placed on outright waivers.[26] This made it possible for another team to claim Lind and to become responsible for the remainder of his contract.[27] Lind went unclaimed and on May 31, was removed from the Blue Jays 40-man roster,[28] allowing the team to select the contract of Robert Coello. On June 24, the Blue Jays recalled Lind from Triple-A.[29] In 93 games with Toronto, Lind hit .255 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI.[8]

2013–2014

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Lind had a bounce back year for the Blue Jays in 2013. In 143 games, he hit .288 with 23 home runs and 67 RBI, while playing the majority of his games at first base.[8]

In 2014, Lind spent time on the disabled list due to a broken foot.[5] He saw a reduction in his power numbers, but improved his batting average, finishing the season with a .321 batting average, six home runs, and 40 RBIs in 96 games.[8]

Milwaukee Brewers

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Lind with the 2015 Milwaukee Brewers

On November 1, 2014, Lind was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for pitcher Marco Estrada.[30] He played in 149 games for the Brewers in 2015, and batted .277 with 20 home runs and 87 RBI.[8] On November 3, the Brewers exercised their $8 million option on Lind for the 2016 season.[31]

Seattle Mariners

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On December 9, 2015, the Brewers traded Lind to the Seattle Mariners in exchange for minor leaguers Carlos Herrera, Daniel Missaki, and Freddy Peralta.[32] During the 2016 season, Lind played in 126 games for the Mariners, batting .239 with 20 home runs and 58 RBI.[8]

 
Lind with the 2016 Seattle Mariners

Washington Nationals

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On February 15, 2017, Lind signed a one-year contract with the Washington Nationals. The contract included a mutual option for the 2018 season.[33] In his first at bat, pinch hitting for Stephen Strasburg, Lind hit a two-run home run on April 3.[34] Lind batted .303 with 14 home runs and 59 RBI while appearing in 116 games for the Nationals during the 2017 regular season.[8] Lind made his postseason debut in the 2017 National League Division Series, playing in three games during the 3–2 series loss to the Chicago Cubs; he had two hits in three pinch hitting at bats.[8]

New York Yankees

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On March 2, 2018, Lind signed a minor league contract with the New York Yankees, receiving a non-roster invitation to spring training.[35] He was released by the Yankees on March 14,[36] and re-signed with the Yankees on April 18,[37] and released again on May 25.[38] Lind appeared in eight games for the Class A-Advanced Tampa Tarpons, batting .429, and 16 games for the Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders, batting .241.[6]

Boston Red Sox

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On June 2, 2018, Lind signed a minor league contract with the Boston Red Sox.[39] In 46 games with the Triple-A Pawtucket Red Sox, he batted .216 with eight home runs and 32 RBI.[6] The Red Sox released Lind on August 1, 2018.[40]

Coaching career

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On February 5, 2024, the Philadelphia Phillies hired Lind to serve as the hitting coach for their Single-A affiliate, the Jersey Shore BlueClaws.[41]

Personal life

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Lind is Catholic.[1] His wife, Lakeyshia Bertie, is originally from Richmond Hill, Ontario; the couple met while Lind was playing for the Blue Jays in 2007,[42] and they were married in a Catholic ceremony on November 13, 2010, in Toronto.[1] She gave birth to their first daughter in September 2011. A son, their second child, was born on April 25, 2013.[43] His nickname is "Adam Bomb."[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Rankin, Jim (July 1, 2011). "Adam Bomb more the strong, silent type". Toronto Star. Archived from the original on June 21, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
  2. ^ "Major League Baseball Players From the Cape Cod League" (PDF). Cape Cod Baseball League. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 7, 2012. Retrieved September 25, 2019.
  3. ^ "2003 Wareham Gatemen". The Baseball Cube. Archived from the original on August 8, 2021. Retrieved September 23, 2021.
  4. ^ McDonald, Dan (May 26, 2004). Written at Mobile, Alabama. "Sun Belt honors Bourque". The Daily Advertiser. Lafayette, Louisiana. p. 21. Retrieved June 24, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d e f Lott, John (November 2, 2014). "Blue Jays' Adam Lind timeline: the hills and valleys of a career in Toronto". National Post. Archived from the original on December 12, 2014. Retrieved December 11, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c d e "Adam Lind Minor League Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 26, 2011. Retrieved August 24, 2014.
  7. ^ "Weaver, Angels get out of jam to beat Blue Jays". ESPN. Associated Press. September 10, 2006. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l "Adam Lind Statistics & History". Baseball-Reference.com. Archived from the original on April 9, 2009. Retrieved September 28, 2014.
  9. ^ "Johnson placed on DL; Lind recalled". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. April 13, 2007. Archived from the original on May 30, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  10. ^ Bastian, Jordan (April 7, 2009). "Jays' young hitters lift Doc, sink Tigers". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 10, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  11. ^ "Adam A Lind Game by Game Stats and Performance". ESPN. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  12. ^ Davison, Drew (September 1, 2009). "Lind provides history lesson in Jays' win". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 5, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  13. ^ "Lind, Longoria share AL Player of Week". UPI. September 8, 2009. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  14. ^ "Scutaro's miscue hands Tigers win in 10th inning". ESPN. Associated Press. September 14, 2009. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  15. ^ Bastian, Jordan (September 16, 2009). "Snider leads Jays' homer charge". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on September 23, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  16. ^ Barone, John (September 30, 2009). "Power up: Jays hit six homers to bash Sox". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 4, 2009. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  17. ^ a b "Lind named Outstanding DH of 2009". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. December 15, 2010. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012. Retrieved July 31, 2010.
  18. ^ MacLeod, Robert (November 12, 2009). "Hill, Lind win Silver Sluggers". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved February 26, 2020.
  19. ^ a b Bastian, Jordan (April 3, 2010). "Lind, Jays reach four-year deal". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on March 8, 2012. Retrieved April 4, 2010.
  20. ^ "Blue Jays whips twins on opening night". TSN. The Canadian Press. April 2, 2011. Archived from the original on December 11, 2013. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  21. ^ a b Seidel, Jeff (June 4, 2011). "Lind activated off DL, back in lineup". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on October 8, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  22. ^ "Orioles push past Jays on Mark Reynolds' first career grand slam". ESPN. Associated Press. June 4, 2011. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  23. ^ "Adam Lind's grand slam off Jered Weaver keys Jays' rout of Angels". ESPN. Associated Press. August 13, 2011. Archived from the original on December 31, 2021. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  24. ^ Duber, Vinnie (April 21, 2012). "Blue Jays turn fourth triple play in team history". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on April 22, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  25. ^ "Blue Jays promote Yan Gomes to Toronto". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. May 17, 2012. Archived from the original on May 21, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  26. ^ Toman, Chris (May 31, 2012). "Blue Jays outright Lind from 40-man roster". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on November 21, 2015. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  27. ^ Cormack, Mike (May 19, 2012). "Blue Jays placed Lind on outright waivers". Sportsnet. Archived from the original on August 27, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  28. ^ "Blue Jays remove Adam Lind from 40-man roster". CBC.ca. The Canadian Press. May 31, 2012. Retrieved May 31, 2012.
  29. ^ Chisholm, Gregor (June 24, 2012). "Blue Jays bring Lind back from Las Vegas". Toronto Blue Jays. MLB.com. Archived from the original on June 28, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2015.
  30. ^ "Toronto Blue Jays trade first baseman Adam Lind to Brewers for right-hander Marco Estrada". National Post. November 1, 2014. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014. Retrieved November 1, 2014.
  31. ^ Todd, Jeff (November 3, 2015). "Brewers Exercise Adam Lind's Option". MLB Trade Rumors. Archived from the original on December 24, 2015. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  32. ^ "Mariners Acquire 1B Adam Lind From Milwaukee". MLB.com. December 9, 2015. Archived from the original on December 11, 2015. Retrieved December 9, 2015.
  33. ^ "Nationals agree to terms with 1B/OF Adam Lind". MLB.com. February 15, 2017. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  34. ^ McMillan, Keith (April 3, 2017). "Adam Lind hits a go-ahead homer, Blake Treinen gets a save and Nats win opener". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 3, 2017. Retrieved April 3, 2017.
  35. ^ Caldera, Pete (March 2, 2018). "Yankees sign Adam Lind to minor-league deal". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on July 9, 2019. Retrieved December 31, 2021.
  36. ^ Caldera, Pete (March 14, 2018). "NY Yankees release Adam Lind from minor-league contract". North Jersey Media Group. Archived from the original on October 22, 2020. Retrieved April 25, 2018.
  37. ^ Thompson, Jaylon (April 18, 2018). "Yankees sign Lind to Minor League contract". New York Yankees. MLB.com. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  38. ^ Martin, Dan (May 25, 2018). "Yankees trade catcher to Brewers". New York Post. Retrieved May 25, 2018.
  39. ^ "Red Sox Roster & Staff – Transactions". Boston Red Sox. MLB.com. June 2018. Archived from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 2, 2018.
  40. ^ Doyle, Ricky (August 1, 2018). "Red Sox Release Veteran Slugger Adam Lind From Minor League Contract". NESN. Retrieved August 2, 2018.
  41. ^ "Phillies news and rumors 2/6: Phil Gosselin, Brock Stassi return to organization". philliesnation.com. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
  42. ^ Johnston, Malcolm (May 27, 2010). "Adam Lind". Streets of Toronto. Retrieved February 15, 2017.
  43. ^ Fidlin, Ken (April 25, 2013). "Special delivery for Blue Jays' Lind". Toronto Sun. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved May 9, 2013.
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