Books and articles about Bobby Abreu

Abreu starred with the Phillies after two organizations deemed him expendable. Left unprotected in the 1997 expansion draft when Houston decided to keep fellow Venezuelan Richard Hidalgo, Abreu was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays but was traded to Philadelphia for shortstop Kevin Stocker a few hours later.

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The deal proved to be the worst in the Rays' brief history. Stocker was released after just over two seasons with the club, while Abreu firmly established himself as one of the most promising young hitters in the game.

Abreu topped the Phils with .312 average in 1998 and made a brief run at the batting title in 1999. His .335 average that season ranked third in the National League, and was the highest posted by a Phillie since Tony Gonzalez hit .339 in 1967. After his breakout season, Abreu -- who had turned down a four-year, $8.5 million offer the previous year --cashed in with a three-year deal worth at least $14.25 million. (JGR)

FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY » November 18, 1997: The expansion draft for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks is held in Phoenix, Arizona. Florida pitcher Tony Saunders is taken with the 1st pick by the Devil Rays, while the Diamondbacks select pitcher Brian Anderson from Cleveland. Following the draft, the Diamondbacks acquire 3B Travis Fryman from the Tigers in exchange for infielders Joe Randa and Gabe Alvarez and P Matt Drews. They also obtain OF Devon White from the Marlins in exchange for P Jesus Martinez. In a rash of moves, the Devil Rays get 1B Fred McGriff from the Braves in exchange for a player to be named, C John Flaherty from the Padres in exchange for P Brian Boehringer and IF Andy Sheets, SS Kevin Stocker from the Phillies in exchange for Bobby Abreu, and sign free agent P Roberto Hernandez to a 4-year contract. » August 8, 1999: The Diamondbacks defeat the Phillies, 7-4, despite five hits, including a double, by OF Bobby Abreu. Arizona P Armando Reynoso wins his 7th consecutive decision. He has not lost in 17 starts, dating back to April 27. » August 27, 2000: Bobby Abreu of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a pair of solo homers, including a game-winning inside-the-park shot off San Francisco Giant reliever Aaron Fultz in the 10th inning to win 2–1. Abreu's homer, his 20th, is the 5th IPHR game-ender in Phillies history and the first since Bob Dernier did it in 1989, also against the Giants. He's the 29th major-leaguer since 1900 to end a game with an IPHR and the 38th extra-inning IP (according to David Vincent). Ed Vosberg (1–0) picks up his 1st win since 1997. » July 22, 2001: The Phillies pull out a 3–2 win over the Mets on Bobby Abreu's 8th inning home run off John Franco. It is the 1st home run hit by a lefty off Franco since September 22, 1993. » August 23, 2002: Bobby Abreu hits a solo homer in the 14th to give the Phillies a 5–4 win over the Cards in five hrs: 13 minutes. Scott Rolen is 4–for–5 in his 1st appearance against his old team.