Morgan Ensberg
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Born: August 26, 1975 College: University of Southern California
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“Quote” - Morgan Ensberg During Spring Training in 2000, Morgan Ensberg was once of four Astro minor leaguers robbed. The players were tied with their wrist and feet behind them with duct tape. Fighting free the players managed to call the police and secure them selves in their room. A fifth player, Aaron Miles, wrestled one of the gumen to the ground before police intervened. Ensberg would make his major league debut in September of that year. High School Ensberg attended Redono Union High School in Redondo Beach and played both basketball and baseball. College at USC He starred at third base for the 1998 USC National Championship team. (Later team mates Jason Lane and Eric Muson were also on the team) Ensberg is currently the only Trojan to ever hit 20 homers and steal 20 bases in the same season. Also while at USC Morgan would meet his future wife Christi. Getting Drafted and the Minors Ensberg was drafted in the 9th round of the 1998 ameteur draft. Ensberg climbed though the minors quickly, reaching Double-A Round Rock in 2000. While there, he played started all 140 games while hitting .300 with 34 doubles, 28 homers and 90 RBI. Reaching the Majors His contract was purchased on September 16, just a day after helping the team to the Texas League Championship. His first hit came September 27 as a pinch hitter in the ninth against Pittsburg. His first start at third base came October 1st against the Milwaukee Brewers. He’d spend the 2001 season with the New Orleans Zephyrs hitting .310 with a team-lading 23 homrs and 61 RBI despite missing nearly two months to a fractured left hand. He was selected to the Pacific Coast League All-Star team but did not play due to his injury. Starting on Opening Day Ensberg started 2001 as the Astros third basemen but was optioned to Triple-A in May. He was lated recalled in September. After failing to homer in the first 67 games of 2004, Ensberg homred in three straight games from July 2-4. 2005 and a trip to the World Series Ensberg was rewarded for his productive 2005 season by earning a trip to the All-Star game as a last minute replacement for Scott Rolen. His 2005 season resulted in a .283 average, 36 homers and a career high 101 RBIs. The Astros also made their way into the post season with their typical late season push and even made it to the World Series, losing to the Chicago White Sox four games to none. Famously during the series, major league baseball told the Astros that the roof at Minute Maid Park would be open. Many saw this as a huge disadvantage for the Astros. Ensberg commented “If I look up and see one blump in the sky, I’ll know why” Following the season he was selected as the team’s MVP. 2006 and Beyond Ensberg’s wife, Christi gave birth to twin boys (Beckett and Chase) on January 4, 2006. Ensberg took dips in most offensive stats in 2006 while dealing with a nagging shoulder injury. He did draw a career best 101 walks, and even homered in a franschise record six consecutive games from April 15-21. During the 2006 World Series Ensberg acted as a guest counsultant to ESPN’s Cold Pizza. Ensberg started 2007 with the Astros but was traded to the San Diego Padres at the trade deadline finishing with a dissapoitning .230/.320/.404 line in 282 at-bats. He is currently a free agent. |
