Jason Bartlett, a professional baseball shortstop, played in Major League Baseball (MLB) primarily for the Minnesota Twins and the Tampa Bay Rays. Born on October 30, 1979, in Mountain View, California, Bartlett attended St. Mary's High School in Stockton, California, before playing college baseball at San Joaquin Delta College and the University of Oklahoma.
Bartlett's journey to the major leagues began when the San Diego Padres selected him in the 13th round of the 2001 MLB Draft. However, his path took a turn when he was traded to the Minnesota Twins in 2002. Bartlett made his MLB debut with the Twins on August 3, 2004. Over the next few seasons, he established himself as a reliable shortstop, known for his defensive skills and speed on the bases.
In 2007, Bartlett was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays as part of a deal that included pitcher Matt Garza. This move proved to be a turning point in his career. During his time with the Rays, Bartlett became an integral part of the team's infield. In 2008, he played a crucial role in helping the Rays reach the World Series for the first time in franchise history. His performance that season earned him the Rays' Most Valuable Player award, highlighting his importance to the team's success.
Bartlett's best statistical season came in 2009 when he posted career highs in batting average (.320), home runs (14), and runs batted in (66). His impressive performance earned him a spot on the American League All-Star team, marking the only All-Star selection of his career. Bartlett's ability to contribute both offensively and defensively made him a valuable asset to the Rays during his tenure with the team.
In 2010, Bartlett returned to the Padres in a trade, where he continued to be a steady presence at shortstop. However, his performance began to decline due to injuries and age. After two seasons with the Padres, Bartlett signed a minor league contract with the Minnesota Twins in 2014, attempting a comeback with his original team. Unfortunately, his return was short-lived, as he announced his retirement from professional baseball in April 2014 after playing just three games that season.
Throughout his career, Bartlett was known for his defensive prowess, speed, and ability to get on base. He finished his MLB career with a .271 batting average, 31 home runs, and 286 runs batted in over 892 games.
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