Danny Ardoin
| Danny Ardoin | |
|---|---|
| File:Danny Ardoin.jpg | |
| Colorado Rockies – No. 55 | |
| Catcher | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right | |
| debut | |
| August 2, 2000, for the Minnesota Twins | |
| Career statistics (through July 12, 2006) | |
| AVG | .206 |
| OBP | .300 |
| HR | 7 |
| Stats at Baseball Reference | |
| Former teams | |
| Minnesota Twins, Texas Rangers | |
Daniel Wayne Ardoin (born July 8, 1974 in Mamou, Louisiana) is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays with the Baltimore Orioles. He bats and throws right handed.
High School Years
Ardoin attended Sacred Heart High School in Ville Platte, Louisiana, and lettered in football, baseball, golf, and track. In baseball, he was named the Class AA Most Valuable Player his senior year.
Early career
Until the 2005 season, Ardoin was primarily a "career minor leaguer". Always possessing excellent defensive skills, Ardoin's weakness has always been his offense. His first season was a short one in 2000 with the Minnesota Twins, appearing in 15 games. He would not see Major League action again until the 2004 campaign, playing in only 6 games with the Texas Rangers.
2005 Season
Ardoin received his chance in mid-2005, when the starting catcher for the Colorado Rockies, J.D. Closser proved to be inept, and his backup Todd Greene was put out of action with a strained hamstring. Ardoin set career highs in every offensive category, despite playing regularly in only the second half of the season. He compiled a .229 batting average with 6 home runs and 22 runs batted in.
2006 Season
The 2006 season began with Ardoin slated in a platoon catching role with free agent acquisition Yorvit Torrealba. However, with Torrealba injuring his shoulder during Spring Training, Ardoin assumed the starting role. Although Ardoin remains one of the top defensive catchers in baseball, his offense struggled during the first two months of the 2006 season. In his first 94 at-bats, Ardoin managed only a .191 batting average with no home runs and but 2 runs batted in. Ardoin's tough-luck season continued when he strained his left knee while tagging out Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Jose Cruz, Jr. on a play at home plate. Ardoin was placed on the disabled list on May 27. J.D. Closser, who had his role taken by Ardoin the season prior, was recalled from the Triple-A minor league affiliate to fill in during Ardoin's absence.
With J.D. Closser now back with the Rockies, and sharing playing time with Yorvit Torrealba in Ardoin's absence, Ardoin's lack of offense placed his role with the Colorado Rockies in a precarious position, forcing the team to designate him for assignment on August 25, 2006.
Personal life
In the offseason Ardoin lives with his wife Hope and 4 children in his hometown Ville Platte, Louisiana.