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Mark Loretta Los Angeles Dodgers — No. -- Infielder Born: August 14, 1971 (1971-08-14) (age 37) Santa Monica, California Bats: Right Throws: Right MLB debut September 4, 1995 for the Milwaukee Brewers Career statistics (through 2008 season) Batting average .297 Home runs 76 Runs batted in 604 Teams Milwaukee Brewers Mark David Loretta (born August 14, 1971 in Santa Monica, California) is an infielder in Major League Baseball for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Previously, Loretta played with the Milwaukee Brewers (1995-2002), Houston Astros (2002, 2007-2008), San Diego Padres (2003-2005) and Boston Red Sox (2006). He bats and throws right-handed. Contents [hide] 1 Career 2 Personal 3 References 4 External links // Career Drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the seventh round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft out of Northwestern University, Loretta debuted with the Brewers in 1995. On June 20, 2001, during an 11–3 loss to the Cincinnati Reds, Loretta took the mound to pitch a scoreless eighth inning. Brewers manager Davey Lopes asked the team for a volunteer to pitch an inning in hopes of saving the depleted bullpen, and Loretta volunteered. He had not previously pitched since college. Loretta faced five batters, gave up one hit and one walk and got two strikeouts on 19 pitches. He was the first everyday player to pitch for Loretta was traded to the Houston Astros during the 2002 season and came to the San Diego Padres as a free agent in 2003. His most productive season came in 2004 for the Padres, when he batted .335 with 47 doubles, 16 home runs, 76 RBI, 108 runs scored, and 208 hits – all career bests, and good enough to earn him a spot on the National League All-Star team. His .335 average ranked him third in the National League batting race behind Barry Bonds (.362) and Todd Helton (.347), and he also joined Tony Gwynn as the only San Diego players to have 200 hits in a regular season. He was voted Padres team MVP in 2003 and 2004. Loretta batting for the Red Sox in 2006 In 2005, Loretta hit .280 with three home runs and 38 RBI in 105 games with the Padres, after he had surgery to repair a strained ligament in his left thumb. During the 2006 offseason, Loretta was traded to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for catcher Doug Mirabelli (who was traded back to the Red Sox during the 2006 regular season). In 2006, Loretta hit .285 with five home runs and 59 RBI in 155 games with the Red Sox. Loretta was one of the Red Sox most consistent players and was rewarded with a start at second base for the American League in the 2006 MLB All-Star Game. Due to various injuries to teammates, Loretta also filled in at first base and as the designated hitter at various points | ||||
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