James Loney: Difference between revisions

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 20172024}}

James Anthony Loney was born on May 7, 1984, in [[Houston]], Texas, to Marion, known as Tony, and Annie (née Pavelchak) Loney. His father, who is African-American was a computer programmer and software consultant and his mother, who is Polish-American worked as a teacher. Loney has a younger brother named Anthony.<ref name="mlbgurnickfather"/><ref name="lathernandez"/><ref>{{cite news|last1=Drellich|first1=Evan|title=Dodgers' Loney hosts charity bowling event|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/9782194|access-date=June 4, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=May 4, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160625103703/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/9782194|archive-date=June 25, 2016|url-status=bot: unknown}}</ref>

Loney played baseball on a team sponsored by the [[Reviving Baseball in Inner Cities]] program and was coached at [[Elkins High School (Missouri City, Texas)|Elkins High School]] by [[Matt Carpenter (baseball)|Matt Carpenter]]'s father Rick.<ref>{{cite news|last1=McTaggert|first1=Brian|title=Houston a befitting backdrop for Civil Rights Game|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/76147466/houston-is-a-befitting-backdrop-for-mlbs-civil-rights-game|access-date=June 3, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=May 21, 2014}}</ref> In Loney's senior year, his high school team was ranked first in the nation by ''[[Baseball America]]'' and won the 5A state championship.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Brockman|first1=Andrea|title=Elkins Knights bag state, national title|url=http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/archives/elkins-knights-bag-state-national-title/article_17ac5eb2-0891-5e9f-9c16-c4bc1a13e297.html?mode=story|access-date=June 4, 2016|publisher=ASP Westward|date=June 18, 2002}}</ref> Loney contributed a 12–1 record with a 1.52 ERA and 120 strikeouts as a pitcher that season, as well as a .500 batting average, eight home runs, 38 runs scored and 58 runs batted in.<ref name="glance">{{cite news|title=Baseball first team at a glance|url=http://www.chron.com/sports/astros/article/Baseball-first-team-at-a-glance-2064979.php|access-date=June 4, 2016|work=Houston Chronicle|date=June 16, 2002}}</ref> He was named to the Texas Sports Writers Association 5A all-state team at the end of the 2002 baseball season, as well as Powerade and Gatorade Player of the Year.<ref name="glance"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Area players named to TSWA all-state teams|url=http://amarillo.com/stories/2002/07/10/bas_localallstars.shtml|access-date=June 4, 2016|work=Amarillo Globe-News|date=July 10, 2002}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=James Loney|url=http://www.mysuncoast.com/sports/meet_rays/james-loney/article_7872da42-fabe-11e2-9e55-001a4bcf6878.html|access-date=June 4, 2016|publisher=WWSB|date=August 22, 2013|archive-date=September 20, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160920012655/http://www.mysuncoast.com/sports/meet_rays/james-loney/article_7872da42-fabe-11e2-9e55-001a4bcf6878.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Much of the professional interest in Loney centered on his pitching ability,<ref name="mlbgurnickfather">{{cite news|last1=Gurnick|first1=Ken|title=Dad built backyard cage for Loney|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/2881218/|access-date=June 4, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=June 13, 2008}}</ref><ref name="lathernandez">{{cite news|last1=Hernandez|first1=Dylan|title=Loney's home run sparks family fun|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2007archives/la-xpm-2007-jul/-25/sports/-sp-dodrep25-story.html|access-date=June 4, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=July 25, 2007}}</ref> but he was drafted by the [[Los Angeles Dodgers]] in the first round, #19 overall, of the [[2002 Major League Baseball draft]] as a position player.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Klein|first1=Gary|title=Dodgers Start Restoration With Loney|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2002archives/la-xpm-2002-jun/-05/sports/-sp-draft05-story.html|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 5, 2002}}</ref> He had signed with [[Baylor University]] to play college baseball, but opted to sign a pro contract.<ref>{{cite news|last1=DiGiovanna|first1=Mike|title=Brown Still Stuck in Hospital Bed|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2002archives/la-xpm-2002-jun/-06/sports/-sp-dodrep06-story.html|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 6, 2002}}</ref>

In 2004, Loney was highly ranked for his defensive ability in the [[Arizona Fall League]]<ref>{{cite news|last1=Boyd|first1=Josh|title=Arizona Fall League Top 20 Prospects|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/minors/031118afl_top20.html|access-date=June 5, 2016|work=Baseball America|date=November 18, 2003}}</ref> and made the All-Prospect Team voted on by league managers and coaches. However, he had an injury plagued season at Double-A [[Jacksonville Suns|Jacksonville]] and fell to #42 on Baseball America's prospect list.<ref name="balist100"/><ref>{{cite news|title=Arizona Fall League Notebook: James Loney|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/2004afl/041101afl.html|access-date=June 5, 2016|work=Baseball America|date=2004}}</ref> In 2005, Loney led the [[Southern League (1964-20201964–2020)|Southern League]] Champion Jacksonville Suns in hits and total bases. That season, he was ranked #62 on Baseball America's list of top prospects.<ref name="balist100"/>

Loney made his major league debut with the Dodgers on April 4, 2006, against the [[Atlanta Braves]] after starting Dodgers first baseman [[Nomar Garciaparra]] was placed on the [[disabled list]]. Loney collected a single in his first major league [[at bat]], against [[John Smoltz]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Henson|first1=Steve|title=For Loney, It's Night to Remember|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2006archives/la-xpm-2006-apr/-05/sports/-sp-dodgers5-story.html|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=April 5, 2006}}</ref>

On September 28, in a game against the [[Colorado Rockies]], Loney went 4 for 5 with 9 [[run batted in|runs batted in]], which tied a 56-year Dodgers franchise record for RBI in a single game, held by [[Gil Hodges]]. Loney went 3-for-4 with three RBI in game three of the National League Division Series against the [[New York Mets]].<ref>{{cite news|title=New York Mets finish off sweep of Los Angeles Dodgers|url=http://lubbockonline.com/stories/100806/pro_100806096.shtml|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=Lubbock Avalanche Journal|agency=Associated Press|date=October 8, 2006}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Shaikin|first1=Bill|last2=Peltz|first2=Jim|title=For Garciaparra, a starting date|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2008archives/la-xpm-2008-oct/-12/sports/-sp-dodphilfyi12-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|access-date=May 29, 2016|date=October 12, 2008}}</ref>

Loney started the 2007 season at Triple-A Las Vegas after the Dodgers re-signed Garciaparra. On June 10, 2007, Loney was recalled to the Dodgers.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Addcox|first1=Jayson|title=Notes: Clark exits as Loney gets call|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/2018043/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624221129/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/2018043/|url-status=dead|archive-date=June 24, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=June 10, 2007}}</ref> He took over the first base job, with Garciaparra moving to third base.

Loney hit nine home runs in September 2007, setting a Dodgers record for home runs by a rookie in a calendar month that he shares with [[Joc Pederson]] (May 2015).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Graham|first1=Pat|title=De La Rosa leads Rockies over Dodgers in doubleheader opener|url=http://stats.washingtonpost.com/mlb/recap.asp?g=350602227&final=true|access-date=May 29, 2016|agency=Associated Press|date=June 2, 2015}}</ref> Loney was named the National League Rookie of the Month for September<ref>{{cite web|title=Press Release|work=mlb.com|url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071001&content_id=2244079&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|access-date=October 1, 2007|archive-date=October 25, 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025045311/http://mlb.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071001&content_id=2244079&vkey=pr_mlb&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb|url-status=dead}}</ref> and finished sixth in the voting for the 2007 NL [[The Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award|Sporting News Rookie of the Year Award]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hoch|first1=Bryan|title=Sporting News honors A-Rod|url=http://m.mlb.com/news/article/2267061|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=October 15, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Braun edges Tulowitzki by two votes; Pedroia wins in landslide|url=httphttps://espnwww.goespn.com/mlb/news/story?id=3106745|access-date=May 29, 2016|agency=Associated Press|issue=ESPN.com|date=November 13, 2007}}</ref>

Loney was a unanimous selection to the [[Topps All-Star Rookie Rosters|2007 Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team]]. The selection was the result of the 49th annual Topps balloting of major league managers.<ref>{{cite news|title=Topps announces the 49th annual Topps Major League Rookie All-Star Team|url=http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071126&content_id=2307272&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071130012959/http://kansascity.royals.mlb.com/news/press_releases/press_release.jsp?ymd=20071126&content_id=2307272&vkey=pr_kc&fext=.jsp&c_id=kc|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 30, 2007|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=November 26, 2007}}</ref>

Loney began the season as the starting first baseman and had a 15-game hitting streak.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rafael Furcal goes 4-for-4 with HR as Dodgers beat Pirates|url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/sports/baseball/2008-04-17-4106781678_x.htm|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=USA Today|agency=Associated Press|date=April 17, 2008}}</ref> He finished the season batting .289 with 13 HR and 90 RBIs. Loney led the team in runs batted in consistently for the entire year. On October 1, 2008, in Game 1 of the [[National League Division Series]], Loney hit a [[Grand slam (baseball)|grand slam]] off of [[Chicago Cubs]] pitcher [[Ryan Dempster]] as the Dodgers went on to win the game 7–2.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Hernandez|first1=Dylan|title=Thud follows a slam|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2008archives/la-xpm-2008-oct/-02/sports/-sp-dodgers2-story.html|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=October 2, 2008}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Kepner|first1=Tyler|title=Cubs Are Quickly Against the Wall|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/02/sports/baseball/02cubs.html|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=New York Times|date=October 1, 2008}}</ref>

Loney turned in numbers in 2009 similar to his 2008 numbers, hitting .281 with 13 home runs in 158 games as the team's starting first baseman. On January 19, 2010, Loney agreed to a new 1-year contract that substantially increased his salary from $465,000 to $3.1 million.<ref>{{cite news|title=No arbitration hearings for Dodgers in 2010|url=http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/7936764|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217121459/http://m.dodgers.mlb.com/news/article/7936764/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 17, 2014|access-date=May 29, 2016|agency=MLB.com|date=January 19, 2010}}</ref> In 160 games in 2010, he hit 10 home runs and 88 RBI, while batting .268, his poorest stats since he joined the team.

On September 16, 2011, Loney hit a three-run pinch hit home run in his only plate appearance and the following day hit another three-run homer.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dilbeck|first1=Steve|title=James Loney, home-run machine, powers Dodgers past Pirates, 6–1|url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/dodgers/2011/09/james-loney-home-run-machine-power-dodgers-past-pirates-6-1.html|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 17, 2011}}</ref> He set a career high with five hits on September 18, helping the Dodgers win three straight games against the [[Pittsburgh Pirates]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Peltz|first1=Jim|title=Dodgers' bats come alive in 15–1 win over Pittsburgh|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2011sports/la-xpm-2011-sep/-18/sports/-la-sp-0919-dodgers-pirates-20110919-story.html|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=September 18, 2011}}</ref> Loney finished the season by hitting .288 with 12 home runs, though his RBI total of 65 was the lowest since his rookie season.

In 2012, Loney continued his downward career slide, hitting .254 with only 4 homers and 33 RBI in 114 games with the Dodgers. Around mid-season he started platooning at first base with [[Juan Rivera (baseball)|Juan Rivera]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dilbeck|first1=Steve|title=Hey, Dodgers, look who's heating up – it's James Loney (again)|url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2012sports/juldodgers/la-xpm-2012-jul-30/sports/-la-sp-dn-warming-up-loney-20120730-story.html|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=Los Angeles Times|date=June 30, 2012}}</ref>

On December 6, 2012, Loney finalized a one-year $2 million deal with the [[Tampa Bay Rays]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Rays, James Loney complete deal|url=httphttps://espnwww.goespn.com/mlb/hotstove12/story/_/id/8721379/james-loney-tampa-bay-rays-complete-one-year-deal-worth-2-million|access-date=May 29, 2016|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=December 6, 2012}}</ref> On July 23, 2013, Loney collected his 1,000th career hit in a game versus his former team, the Boston Red Sox.<ref>{{cite news|title=Jon Lester beats Rays to keep Red Sox in first place|url=httphttps://scoreswww.espn.go.com/mlb/recap?gameId=330723102|access-date=June 4, 2016|agency=Associated Press|work=ESPN.com|date=July 23, 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite AV media|title=Loney's 1,000th career hit|url=http://m.mlb.com/nyy/video/topic/8878548/v29090229/tbbos-loney-singles-to-right-for-1000th-career-hit|access-date=June 4, 2016|publisher=MLB.com|date=July 23, 2013}}</ref> The contract wound up being a good deal for Loney and the Rays, as he hit .299 with 13 home runs and 75 RBIs, his best numbers since his rookie season in 2007. On December 13, 2013, Loney and the Rays agreed to a three-year contract worth $21 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/deal-sign-loney-now-official|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121211014008/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/content/deal-sign-loney-now-official|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 11, 2012|title=Deal to sign Loney now official|last=Topkin|first=Marc|publisher=Tampa Bay Times|date=December 6, 2012|access-date=December 6, 2012}}</ref> His numbers dipped a bit in 2014, as he hit .290 with 9 home runs and 69 RBIs, but he had 600 at-bats in a season for the first time in his career.

Loney was limited to 104 games in 2015 because of injuries. He only slashed .280/.322/.357 for his lowest OPS since 2012, in addition to a drop in defensive value to a −5.4 UZR/150 at first base. On March 30, 2016, Loney was informed that he would not be listed on the Rays Opening Day roster.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Topkin|first1=Marc|title=Rays release Rivera, tell Loney he won't make team|url=httphttps://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/rays-release-rivera-tell-loney-he-wont-make-team/2271331/|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=March 30, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Chastain|first1=Bill|title=Rays release catcher Rivera; Loney next?|url=http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/169737414/rays-release-rene-rivera-james-loney-next|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403032836/http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/169737414/rays-release-rene-rivera-james-loney-next|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 3, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=March 30, 2016}}</ref> On April 3, the Rays released Loney, eating the entirety of the $8 million owed to him for the 2016 season.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Chastain|first1=Bill|title=Rays release first baseman Loney|url=http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/170285322|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160406050843/http://m.rays.mlb.com/news/article/170285322|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 6, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=April 3, 2016}}</ref>

On April 7, 2016, Loney signed a minor league deal with the [[San Diego Padres]].<ref>{{cite news|last1=Topkin|first1=Marc|title=Former Rays 1B James Loney joins Padres|url=http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/former-rays-1b-james-loney-joins-padres/2272417|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411031717/http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/rays/former-rays-1b-james-loney-joins-padres/2272417|url-status=dead|archive-date=April 11, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=Tampa Bay Times|date=April 8, 2016}}</ref> He played in 43 games for the AAA [[El Paso Chihuahuas]], including one appearance as a [[relief pitcher]].<ref>{{cite web |title=James Loney Minor, Fall, Winter & Korean Leagues Statistics & History |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=loney-001jam#all_standard_pitching |website=Baseball-Reference.com |language=en}}</ref>

On May 28, 2016, Loney was traded to the New York Mets for cash considerations.<ref>{{cite news|last1=DiComo|first1=Anthony|title=Mets acquire Loney from Padres|url=http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/180726162/james-loney-goes-to-mets-in-trade|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529120707/http://m.mets.mlb.com/news/article/180726162/james-loney-goes-to-mets-in-trade|url-status=dead|archive-date=May 29, 2016|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=MLB.com|date=May 28, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Rubin|first1=Adam|title=James Loney traded to Mets, likely to be activated after weekend|url=httphttps://www.espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/15791721/new-york-mets-acquire-james-loney-fill-void-first-base-left-injured-lucas-duda|access-date=May 29, 2016|work=ESPN.com|date=May 28, 2016}}</ref> Loney played in 100 games with the Mets, making 88 starts. He became a free agent at the end of the season.

On January 24, 2017, Loney signed a minor league contract with the [[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]] that included an invitation to spring training.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/214023556/rangers-give-james-loney-minor-league-contract/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170203205636/http://m.rangers.mlb.com/news/article/214023556/rangers-give-james-loney-minor-league-contract/|url-status=dead|archive-date=February 3, 2017|title=Rangers give Loney Minors deal, spring invite|last=Sullivan|first=T.R.|work=MLB.com|date=January 24, 2017|access-date=January 24, 2017}}</ref> The Rangers released Loney on March 27, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Wilmoth|first1=Charlie|title=Rangers Release James Loney|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/03/rangers-release-james-loney.html|website=mlbtraderumors.com|date=March 27, 2017}}</ref>

The Braves signed Loney to a minor league deal on May 18, 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Braves sign 1B Loney to Minor League deal|url=https://www.mlb.com/news/braves-sign-first-baseman-james-loney-c231056756|access-date=2020-06-June 25, 2020|website=MLB.com|language=en}}</ref> Loney was released on May 22, 2017, following the Braves acquisition of first-baseman [[Matt Adams]] from the [[St. Louis Cardinals]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=James Loney Granted Release From Braves|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/05/braves-release-james-loney.html|access-date=2020-06-June 25, 2020|website=MLB Trade Rumors|language=en-US}}</ref>

[[Category:20th-century African-American peoplesportspeople]]