Chris Woodward's journey in professional baseball began when he was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 54th round of the 1994 MLB Draft. Despite being a late-round pick, Woodward worked his way through the minor leagues and made his Major League debut with the Blue Jays on June 7, 1999. Primarily a shortstop, he demonstrated a solid defensive presence and a reliable, if not spectacular, bat.
During his tenure with the Blue Jays, Woodward played various infield positions, showcasing his adaptability on the field. His best season with Toronto came in 2002 when he hit .276 with 13 home runs and 45 RBIs over 90 games. This performance solidified his role as a valuable utility player for the team. However, after the 2004 season, Woodward became a free agent and signed with the New York Mets.
With the Mets, Woodward continued to serve as a utility infielder, playing second base, third base, and shortstop. His time in New York was marked by consistent fielding and occasional offensive contributions. In 2006, he played in 83 games, hitting .216 with 3 home runs and 23 RBIs. After two seasons with the Mets, Woodward moved on to the Atlanta Braves in 2007, where he played in a more limited capacity.
Woodward's career saw him transition between several teams over the next few years. He had brief stints with the Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and back with the Blue Jays. In 2009, he signed with the Mariners, where he played 20 games before being traded to the Red Sox. His time in Boston was short-lived, and he returned to the Mariners later that year.
In 2010, Woodward signed a minor league contract with the Blue Jays, marking his return to the organization where he began his career. However, he spent most of the season in the minors and was released in August. He then signed with the Mariners again, finishing the season with them.
After his playing days, Woodward transitioned into coaching and player development roles. He joined the Seattle Mariners as a minor league infield coordinator in 2013. His coaching career progressed when he was hired by the Los Angeles Dodgers as their third base coach in 2016. Woodward's time with the Dodgers was marked by the team's success, including multiple postseason appearances and a World Series berth in 2017.
In November 2018, Woodward was named the manager of the Texas Rangers. As a manager, he faced the challenges of leading a team in a competitive division while overseeing the development of young talent. His tenure with the Rangers included navigating the complexities of the COVID-19 pandemic during the 2020 season, which presented unique challenges for all MLB teams.
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