Marcus Giles

Marcus William Giles (born May 18, 1978 in San Diego, California) is a US Major League Baseball player. He is a second baseman and bats right-handed.

Related Topics:
May 18 - 1978 - San Diego - California - Major League Baseball - Second baseman - Right-handed

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Giles was selected by the Atlanta Braves in the 53rd round of the June 1996 free agent draft and made his major league debut in 2001. He spent the next two years shuttling between Atlanta and their AAA minor league franchise in Richmond. In 2002, his year was marred by a severe ankle sprain in May, and the death of his premature daughter, Lundyn. Giles lost his second base starting job to the injury and, shortly after returning, was demoted to Richmond. He did not play in Atlanta again until August.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2003, Giles was given the starting job for good, and proceeded to put up such impressive numbers that he was selected to play in the 2003 All-Star Game. Unfortunately, he was unable to play because he'd suffered a concussion the previous week - Mark Prior of the Chicago Cubs didn't see Giles during a play in the basepath and the two collided. After missing about a week with the injury, Giles returned to the pre-concussion form that had earned him the start in the 2003 All-Star Game. He finished the 2003 season with 49 doubles, breaking the Braves record for doubles in a season.

Related Topics:
Concussion - Mark Prior - Chicago Cubs

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

In 2004, Giles was poised to wage a campaign similar to 2003 but, on May 15, while trying to catch a pop fly, he collided with center fielder Andruw Jones. Giles suffered a broken collarbone, a concussion, and a bruised right wrist and did not play again until July 15, after missing 52 games.

Related Topics:
May 15 - Andruw Jones - July 15

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Entering the 2005 season, Giles had 405 hits in 1,387 at-bats, a .292 batting average. He also had 46 home runs, 34 stolen bases, and 148 walks.

Related Topics:
Batting average - Home runs - Stolen base - Walks

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Giles lives in the Atlanta area with his wife, Tracy, and their daughter, Arringtun Mae, born May 5, 2003. His brother Brian is an outfielder with the San Diego Padres.

Related Topics:
May 5 - 2003 - Brian - San Diego Padres

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~