Gordon Beckham
Born: 9/16/1986 in Atlanta, GA, USA
MLB Debut: 2009-06-04 | Final Game: 2019-09-28
Bats: R | Throws: R | Height: 6'0" | Weight: 188 lbs
Full name: James Gordon Beckham
Biography
Gordon Beckham, born in 1986, was a professional baseball player who made his mark in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 2009 and 2019. Primarily playing as a position player, Beckham appeared in 1,069 games throughout his career, showcasing his versatility and consistency on the field. He recorded a total of 807 hits, including 80 home runs and 351 runs batted in (RBIs), while maintaining a batting average of .237. Known for his solid defensive skills and ability to contribute offensively, Beckham also demonstrated speed on the bases, accumulating 35 stolen bases over the course of his career.
Beckham's career spanned a transformative period in MLB, characterized by the rising importance of analytics and the evolution of player roles. Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the first round of the 2008 MLB Draft, he quickly became known for his strong work ethic and competitive nature. His tenure with the White Sox included notable moments that highlighted his potential, though he faced challenges adjusting to the pressures of the major leagues. Beckham's journey through various teams in his later years reflected the common pathway of many players navigating the complexities of a professional baseball career. After retiring in 2019, he left behind a legacy marked by both promise and perseverance in the ever-evolving landscape of baseball.
Career Batting Statistics
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1069 | 3403 | 420 | 807 | 187 | 7 | 80 | 351 | 35 | 266 | 670 | 0.237 | 0.300 | 0.367 | 0.667 | -4907.8 |
Season-by-Season Batting
| Year | Team | Lg | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | SB | BB | SO | AVG | PIV |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | CHW | AL | 103 | 378 | 58 | 102 | 28 | 1 | 14 | 63 | 7 | 41 | 65 | 0.270 | 557.7 |
| 2010 | CHW | AL | 131 | 444 | 58 | 112 | 25 | 2 | 9 | 49 | 4 | 37 | 92 | 0.252 | -403.5 |
| 2011 | CHW | AL | 150 | 499 | 60 | 115 | 23 | 0 | 10 | 44 | 5 | 35 | 111 | 0.230 | -1157.9 |
| 2012 | CHW | AL | 151 | 525 | 62 | 123 | 24 | 0 | 16 | 60 | 5 | 40 | 89 | 0.234 | -818.2 |
| 2013 | CHW | AL | 103 | 371 | 46 | 99 | 22 | 1 | 5 | 24 | 5 | 28 | 56 | 0.267 | -193.8 |
| 2014 | CHW | AL | 101 | 390 | 43 | 86 | 24 | 0 | 7 | 36 | 3 | 19 | 70 | 0.221 | -1132.9 |
| 2014 | LAA | AL | 26 | 56 | 10 | 15 | 3 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 0.268 | -1132.9 |
| 2015 | CHW | AL | 100 | 211 | 24 | 44 | 8 | 0 | 6 | 20 | 0 | 19 | 43 | 0.209 | -648.1 |
| 2016 | ATL | NL | 85 | 240 | 25 | 52 | 16 | 1 | 5 | 30 | 1 | 26 | 50 | 0.217 | -514.9 |
| 2016 | SFG | NL | 3 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0.000 | -514.9 |
| 2017 | SEA | AL | 11 | 17 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0.176 | 0.0 |
| 2018 | SEA | AL | 22 | 44 | 3 | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 0.182 | 0.0 |
| 2019 | DET | AL | 83 | 223 | 29 | 48 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 15 | 3 | 13 | 68 | 0.215 | -673.7 |
Postseason Statistics
Playoff Career Batting
| G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Playoff Batting by Year
| Year | Round | Team | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | BB | SO | AVG |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | ALDS1 | LAA | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0.000 |
Fielding Statistics
Career Fielding Totals by Position
| Position | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1B | 4 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2B | 751 | 712 | 1370 | 2070 | 52 | 495 |
| 3B | 221 | 167 | 123 | 349 | 21 | 35 |
| SS | 48 | 32 | 54 | 104 | 6 | 28 |
Season-by-Season Fielding
| Year | Team | Pos | G | GS | PO | A | E | DP |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | CHA | 3B | 102 | 102 | 73 | 205 | 14 | 21 |
| 2010 | CHA | 2B | 126 | 125 | 245 | 375 | 12 | 100 |
| 2011 | CHA | 2B | 149 | 147 | 272 | 443 | 8 | 84 |
| 2012 | CHA | 2B | 149 | 148 | 280 | 411 | 7 | 110 |
| 2013 | CHA | 2B | 103 | 100 | 212 | 255 | 12 | 69 |
| 2013 | CHA | SS | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2014 | CHA | 2B | 100 | 100 | 202 | 312 | 10 | 74 |
| 2014 | LAA | 2B | 5 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 1 |
| 2014 | LAA | 3B | 13 | 7 | 10 | 18 | 2 | 3 |
| 2014 | LAA | SS | 6 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 1 | 4 |
| 2015 | CHA | 2B | 11 | 7 | 22 | 25 | 0 | 10 |
| 2015 | CHA | 3B | 76 | 39 | 24 | 96 | 3 | 7 |
| 2015 | CHA | SS | 5 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 1 | 6 |
| 2016 | ATL | 2B | 51 | 38 | 61 | 118 | 2 | 17 |
| 2016 | ATL | 3B | 15 | 10 | 7 | 13 | 1 | 3 |
| 2016 | ATL | SS | 11 | 7 | 11 | 23 | 1 | 7 |
| 2016 | SFN | 3B | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2017 | SEA | 2B | 5 | 0 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 4 |
| 2017 | SEA | 3B | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017 | SEA | SS | 4 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | SEA | 2B | 13 | 10 | 18 | 38 | 0 | 5 |
| 2018 | SEA | 3B | 6 | 1 | 0 | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| 2018 | SEA | SS | 2 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 | DET | 1B | 4 | 1 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| 2019 | DET | 2B | 39 | 34 | 50 | 81 | 1 | 21 |
| 2019 | DET | 3B | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 0 |
| 2019 | DET | SS | 18 | 16 | 23 | 46 | 3 | 10 |
Career Games by Position
| Position | Games |
|---|---|
| First Base | 4 |
| Second Base | 751 |
| Third Base | 221 |
| Shortstop | 48 |
| Designated Hitter | 22 |
Awards & Honors
| Year | Award | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | MLB Players Choice Outstanding Rookie | |
| 2009 | Rookie of the Month | July |
| 2009 | TSN Rookie of the Year |
Salary History
| Year | Team | League | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | ATL | NL | $1,250,000 |
| 2015 | CHA | AL | $2,000,000 |
| 2014 | CHA | AL | $4,175,000 |
| 2013 | CHA | AL | $2,925,000 |
| 2012 | CHA | AL | $520,000 |
| 2011 | CHA | AL | $485,000 |
| 2010 | CHA | AL | $445,000 |
| Total Career Earnings | $11,800,000 | ||
College History
| School Name | City | State | Years Attended |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia | Athens | GA | 2006, 2007, 2008 |
Award Voting History
| Year | Award | League | Finish | Points Won | Points Max | Votes First |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2009 | Rookie of the Year | AL | 5th | 10.0 | 160 | 0 |