Born on July 21, 1965, in Marquette, Michigan, Mike Bordick grew up to become a reliable shortstop in Major League Baseball. His journey to the majors began at the University of Maine, where he played college baseball and honed his skills. Undrafted out of college, Bordick signed with the Oakland Athletics as a free agent in 1986, marking the start of his professional career.
Bordick made his MLB debut with the Athletics on April 11, 1990. During his time with Oakland, he established himself as a dependable defensive player. Although not known for his power at the plate, Bordick's consistent fielding and ability to make routine plays earned him respect in the league. He played with the Athletics until 1996, contributing to the team's infield stability.
In 1997, Bordick signed with the Baltimore Orioles, where he continued to demonstrate his defensive prowess. His tenure with the Orioles was marked by his role as a steady presence in the infield. Bordick's defensive skills were particularly highlighted during the 1999 season when he set a major league record for shortstops with a .998 fielding percentage, committing only one error in 543 chances.
The year 2000 saw Bordick being traded to the New York Mets in a mid-season deal. He joined the Mets during their push for the playoffs and played a part in their journey to the World Series that year. Although the Mets ultimately fell to the New York Yankees, Bordick's experience and steady play were valuable assets to the team.
After his stint with the Mets, Bordick returned to the Orioles in 2001, where he continued to be a reliable figure in the lineup. He played two more seasons with Baltimore before signing with the Toronto Blue Jays in 2003. Bordick's final season in the majors was with the Blue Jays, where he continued to exhibit his trademark defensive skills before retiring at the end of the season.
Throughout his career, Bordick was known for his defensive reliability and professionalism on the field. While his offensive numbers were modest, his ability to anchor the infield and provide leadership was appreciated by teammates and coaches alike. Bordick's career in Major League Baseball spanned over a decade, during which he played in over 1,700 games and maintained a career fielding percentage of .982.
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