Desi Relaford
PositionInfielder
BatsSwitch
ThrowsRight
Birth dateSeptember 16, 1973 (age 53)
Birth placeValdosta, Georgia, U.S.
DebutleagueMLB
DebutdateAugust 1
Debutyear1996
DebutteamPhiladelphia Phillies
FinalleagueMLB
FinaldateJuly 28
Finalyear2007
FinalteamTexas Rangers
StatleagueMLB
Stat1labelBatting average
Stat1value.243
Stat2labelHome runs
Stat2value40
Stat3labelRuns batted in
Stat3value308
Teams

Desmond Lamont "Desi" Relaford (born September 16, 1973) is an American former professional baseball infielder and current manager of the Danville Otterbots. He played in Major League Baseball for the Texas Rangers, Colorado Rockies, Kansas City Royals, Seattle Mariners, New York Mets, San Diego Padres and Philadelphia Phillies.

Career

Known more for his defense than his bat, his versatility was his trademark. Over the course of an 11-year major league career, he played every position in the field except first base and catcher;[1] he pitched in one game for the New York Mets in which he recorded a perfect inning with a strikeout and threw over 90 mph.

Relaford was traded twice during the 2001-2002 offseason, once with Tsuyoshi Shinjo to the San Francisco Giants for Shawn Estes and again to the Seattle Mariners for David Bell.[2]

Relaford signed a minor league deal with the Rangers on February 14, 2007. He competed with Jerry Hairston Jr., Drew Meyer, and Joaquin Arias for a spot as utility infielder during spring training,[3] but wound up starting the season in the minors. In early July, Relaford was called up to the Rangers after regular second baseman Ian Kinsler was placed on the disabled list after suffering a stress fracture.[4] Relaford was released after the season, and never played professionally after that.

On March 23, 2021, Relaford was named the manager for the Danville Otterbots of the new Appalachian League.[5]

Life beyond baseball

Relaford currently has a home in Jacksonville, Florida with his wife, Cassandra Sapphire Daley, whom he married in 2002. They have two children.[6] Relaford is the founder of 6 Hole Records, a hip-hop record label based in Jacksonville.[7]

Relaford is a graduate of Sandalwood High School.

Notes

  1. ^ "Desi Relaford Stats". Baseball-Reference.com
  2. ^ "M's trade David Bell for Giants' Relaford". The Seattle Times. Associated Press. January 25, 2002. Retrieved 2024-10-07.
  3. ^ Sullivan, T.R. (2007-02-14). "Rangers sign Relaford to Minors deal". MLB.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05.
  4. ^ Sullivan, T.R. (2007-07-02). "Injured Kinsler out 2-6 weeks". MLB.com. Archived from the original on 2011-06-05.
  5. ^ Crews, Daniel (2021-03-23). "Desi Relaford named team manager for the Danville Otterbots". WSET. Retrieved 2021-06-01.
  6. ^ "Sandalwood High School". Archived from the original on 2011-10-06. Retrieved 2010-12-16.
  7. ^ "6 Hole Records | Listen and Stream Free Music, Albums, New Releases, Photos, Videos". Myspace

Further reading