Cliff Pennington

Cliff Pennington was a versatile infielder who played in Major League Baseball from 2008 to 2018. Born in 1984, Pennington made his debut with the Oakland Athletics, where he quickly established himself as a reliable player both offensively and defensively. Over the course of his career, he appeared in 971 games, accumulating 678 hits and 36 home runs, while driving in 242 runs. With a batting average of .242, Pennington showcased his ability to contribute to his team's offense, particularly with his speed on the basepaths, as evidenced by his 84 stolen bases. Pennington was known for his solid defensive skills, often playing shortstop and second base, which allowed him to be a valuable asset to several teams throughout his career, including stints with the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Toronto Blue Jays. His playing style reflected the evolving nature of the game during the late 2000s and early 2010s, where speed and defensive versatility became increasingly prized. As a player who navigated the transition of baseball during this era, Pennington left a lasting impact on the teams he played for and remains a respected figure in the baseball community.