Josh Donaldson

[William Malone]

Joshua Adam Donaldosn was born on December 8, 1985 in Pensacola, Florida.

The Oakland Athletics selected him in round one of the 2007 MLB Draft. He reached the Major Leagues as a catcher in 2010. Donaldson played with the Athletics through 2014, transitioning to third base over the years. He was named an All-Star for the first time in 2014, which was his final season in Oakland. The Toronto Blue Jays acquired him in a trade on November 28, 2014.

He won American League MVP during his first season with the Blue Jays, leading the league in runs scored and RBI. Toronto reached the ALCS in 2015 and 2016. Donaldson played parts of four seasons for the Blue Jays. His .931 OPS with the club is second in franchise history, trailing only Carlos Delgado. They traded him to the Cleveland Indians at the deadline in 2018.

Donaldson hit .280 with a .920 OPS after the trade, but was just 1-for-11 in postseason play. He signed a one year deal with the Atlanta Braves as a free agent, slashing .259/.379/.521 for them.

The Minnesota Twins signed Donaldson to a four year, $92 million contract. Various injuries and the COVID-19 pandemic limited him to just 28 games in that first season. He posted an .842 OPS while on the field, but he was not active in the playoffs. Donaldson hit a double in his first at-bat of the 2021 campaign, but limped into second base and was immediately put on the injured list. His absence was short, and he wound up playing 135 games. Donaldson had an .827 OPS in 2021, and was named the "Media Good Guy" award winner by the Minnesota chapter of the BBWAA. His run scored on May 29, 2021 was the two millionth in Major League history.

He was traded to the New York Yankees during spring training in 2022. Donaldson delivered a walk-off single on Opening Day for his new club, but his two year tenure there was mostly unsuccessful. New York released him on August 29, 2023. The Milwaukee Brewers picked him up for a postseason push. Donaldson filled in as their starting third baseman for the final month of play, and was 2-for-7 (.286) with a walk in the playoffs. Milwaukee was swept in the two game wild card round by the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Donaldson retired just before spring training in 2024.

 

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