Jim Edmonds Speaker Profile

One of the most electric defensive centerfielders in our decade, Jim Edmonds was born on June 27, 1970 in Fullerton, California. Edmonds has also played for the Anaheim Angels and the St. Louis Cardinals. Edmonds is currently signed with the Padres through the end of the 2008 season. Former Cardinal general manager Walt Jocketty had said that the team would like to have Edmonds finish his career in St. Louis. However, Jocketty's successor John Mozeliak traded Edmonds to San Diego on December 14, 2007, roughly two months after assuming the role of General Manager.

Early in his Major League career the California Angels selected him in the seventh round of the 1988 draft. 2008 will be his 16th season in the Majors. Edmonds was traded from Anaheim to St. Louis for second baseman Adam Kennedy and pitcher Kent Bottenfield shortly before the beginning of the 2000 season. Jim Edmonds' fielding ability has earned him recognition from Major League coaches and managers, who voted him a Rawlings Gold Glove winner eight times in nine seasons from 1998 to 2005.

Edmonds has hit 30 or more home runs in five seasons, while maintaining a .287 career batting average, and has knocked in over 1,100 runs in his career. He has also received eight Gold Glove Awards in his career at center field, most of them coming as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals.