Nick Markakis

Nicholas William Markakis (born November 17, 1983 in Glen Cove, New York) is a Major League Baseball outfielder currently with the American League's Baltimore Orioles.

Markakis was born on Long Island, New York, but he later moved to Woodstock, Georgia with his family. Nick's family includes his parents, Dennis and Mary Lou; his brother Dennis and his wife Laura; his brother Michael, also an alumnus of Young Harris College; and his brother Greg. Markakis is half-Greek and half-German.

MLB

2006 Season

Markakis made his major league debut on April 3, 2006, when he was used as a late inning defensive replacement against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. He received his first start and plate appearances on April 5, 2006, also against the Devil Rays. Hitting second and playing left field, Markakis drew three walks in his first three plate appearances and hit a 400 foot home run for his first major league hit in the Orioles 16-6 win.

On August 22, 2006, Markakis went 3 for 4 with 3 home runs in an Orioles 6-3 win at Camden Yards. The game marked his first career three-home-run game, the 18th Oriole to do so and the first since 1999. The feat prompted a curtain call from the dugout, earning him a feat that The Washington Post called "an ovation that is rarely seen in these parts anymore. Curtain calls are for Yankee Stadium and Fenway Park, not Camden Yards."

Markakis batted .291 with 16 homers, 62 RBI, 72 runs, and 2 stolen bases. On defense, he put up impressive stats in defensive ratings such as Range Factor and Fielding Percentage, ranking number two compared with other Major League Right Fielders.

Markakis has been described as being a strong mix of athleticism, power, and speed, by Yahoo Major League Baseball. He is also described as an awesome defender.


2007 Season

He was the Orioles starting right fielder in 2007. He was 3rd in the AL in games (161) and grounded into double plays (22), 6th in doubles (43), 7th in at bats (637) and hits (191), and 8th in RBIs (112). He also led the team in home runs (23), RBIs (112), batting average (.300), and hits (191) in the 2007 season.

At the end of the season, Markakis could not agree a contract extension with the Orioles so his contract was automatically renewed for another year at the baseline value of $455,000. Nick became eligible for arbitration after the 2008 season, and in the absence of a contract extension, would have become a free agent in 2011.


2008 Season

Markakis began the 2008 season as the Orioles number three hitter and starting right fielder. He played well early in the year, but as the season went into the summer months, Orioles manager Dave Trembley opted to move Markakis into the number two hole, placing Melvin Mora behind him. Mora thrived in the position, and while Markakis's bat responded well, the move seemed to affect his power. Markakis slugged just 20 HR in 2008, and while that may seem lower than what was expected, he still managed to hit 48 doubles, 87 RBIs, and score 106 runs for his team. Markakis's hitting eye improved in 2008, as his .406 OBP, .306 Avg and career high 99 walks indicate, which may suggest that he's ready for that third spot in the order. Markakis also had another stellar year in right field, notching 17 assists, more than any other outfielder. While these individual numbers may come off as less-than-eye-popping, the 2008 season saw Markakis place in the top 10 in the American League in AVG, OBP, OPS, G, R, H, 2B, BB, *OPS+, RC (runs created), and he led the league in Times on Base. Markakis's 2008 projects a bright future in the majors and himself as one of the faces of the Orioles franchise.


2009 Season

Markakis signed a 6-year, $66.1 million extension through 2014 on January 22, 2009 avoiding arbitration. Markakis has also been honored with his very own shirt this season called "Nick the Stick, Camden's Finest".