Catchers are an integral part of the game of baseball, they always stand behind the home plate. While the catcher’s position still remains the most mentally and physically demanding position in the game, Brian McCann has got all it takes to be the best catcher in the Major League Baseball. Following his exceptional style, the player has been named All-Star seven times while receiving the Silver Slugger Award six times. Brian is currently associated with the Houston Astros of the MLB. Prior to his career at Astros, he has played for the New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. Let’s take a sneak peek at his biography, family and other interesting facts below
Brief Bio
The baseball star was born as Brian Michael McCann on the 20th of February 1984, to American parents Howard McCann and his wife Sherry. He attended Duluth High School situated in Duluth, Georgia where he began his youth career. While he was there, Brian was rated as the 26th best baseball player in the nation by Baseball America.
Brian McCann’s MLB Career
At the end of his high school career, Brian committed to Alabama University for his college career. He was equally selected by the Atlanta Braves in the second round of the MLB draft of 2002. The player had decided to forgo his college eligibility and join the pro-league. He stayed with the team’s minor league affiliate Rome Braves for three seasons before making his MLB debut.
The outstanding catcher made his professional appearance for the Braves in June 2005 and was named personal catcher for their pitcher John Smoltz. He was also named a starter for the team for the rest of the 2005 season and the following season; he signed a six-year contract worth $27.8 million.
Brian was selected to the 2006 All-Star Team following his brilliant performance. He was also selected to the All-Star for more six more times consecutively. He won the All-Star MVP in 2010. Brian’s eight-year career with the Braves ended in 2013 and throughout his career; Brain received the Silver Slugger Award for the best offensive player six times.
In November 2013, Brian McCann signed up with the New York Yankees on a five-year contract worth $85 million. Joining the Yankees, Brian had limited options as a starting catcher for the team. He made his first career start with the team in their 7 – 4 win over the St Loius Cardinals on 28th May 2014. He also made a significant impact for the Yankees in September, helping the team clinch the win against Boston Red Sox. Brian led the team in home runs having a record of 23 home runs and 75 RBI in the season.
The star player was made the starting catcher for the Yankees during the 2016 season and he finished the season with a total of 20 home runs with 58 RBI in 130 games. Subsequently, he was traded to the Houston Astros in November 2016 in exchange for Jorge Guzman and Albert Abreu. In the 2017 season, Brian became the 14th catcher to have more than 10,000 putouts. He led the Astros to earn a spot at the 2017 American League Championship Series while making 18 home runs in 97 games. The Astros triumphed over the Los Angeles Dodgers to emerge World Series Champion in 2017. In 2018, Brian recorded his 11,000 career putouts making him the 10th catcher in MLB history to attain the feat.
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Family: Brother and Wife
The baseball catcher was born into an athletic family, his parents attended Oswego High School where they participated in different sporting events organized by the school. The pair was also inducted into Oswego High’s athletics hall of fame. His father, Howard completed his collegiate baseball career with the Mississippi State University baseball team. He went on to serve as an assistant baseball coach under Coach Steve Webber at Georgia Bulldogs baseball team. Howard equally served as a coach for the Marshall Thundering Herd Baseball team.
Brian McCann isn’t the only child of his parents; he has an older brother named Brad McCann. Just like Brian, Brad also played baseball professionally before his retirement in 2007. Brad completed his college career with the Clemson Tigers baseball team and was drafted by the Florida Marlins in the sixth round of the MLB draft of 2004. He played for the Marlins for three seasons and eventually left the game in 2007.
Just as he is successful in his baseball career, Brain is also successful in his love life. He is happily married to his childhood sweetheart Ashley Jarusinski in December 2007. Five years after the marriage, the couple welcomed their first child, a son named Colt Michael in July 2012. The following year, they also had a daughter Colbie. She was born in September 2013.