David Eckstein
The 5'7" infielder who led the majors in grand slams in 2002 and won World Series MVP in 2006.
David Mark Eckstein (born January 20, 1975) is an American former professional baseball player. He was an infielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) for ten seasons. He played college baseball for the University of Florida and played professionally for the Anaheim Angels, St. Louis Cardinals, Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres. Eckstein won the 2006 World Series Most Valuable Player Award. After retiring from professional baseball, he briefly served as a special assistant in the Pittsburgh Pirates operations department. Eckstein stood at 5' 7" during his playing career, which made him the shortest active player for the years he played.
- Affiliation
- Anaheim Angels
- Role
- Shortstop / Second Baseman
- Status
- Retired
- Jersey Number
- 18
Verified Timeline
Lore & Background
Eckstein was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 19th round of the 1997 MLB draft, spent four years in their minor league system, and was selected off waivers by the Anaheim Angels in August 2000. He made his major league debut on April 3, 2001, and finished fourth in AL Rookie of the Year voting. During the Angels' 2002 championship season, he led the major leagues with three grand slams. After the 2004 season, he moved to the St. Louis Cardinals as part of a shortstop merry-go-round. He was a two-time All-Star (2005, 2006) and won the World Series MVP in 2006. He also played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Arizona Diamondbacks, and San Diego Padres before retiring in 2012.
In Their Own Story
The 2002 season marked Eckstein's arrival as a central figure for the Anaheim Angels. Entering spring training, he fought his way onto the Opening Day roster, making his debut against the Texas Rangers on April 3, 2001, where he went 1-for-3 with his first hit off Kenny Rogers. By May, he had established himself as the permanent starting shortstop. The turning point came in 2002 when the Angels sat at a disappointing 7–14 record. Eckstein delivered grand slams in back-to-back games against the Toronto Blue Jays, including one that secured a sweep and ignited a 20-win surge in their next 23 games. He finished that year with eight home runs and 63 RBIs while leading the league in being hit by pitches. Although he was traded to the St. Louis Cardinals after the 2004 season, his time in Anaheim laid the foundation for a career that would eventually include a World Series MVP award.
Reader's Guide
David Eckstein played 10 MLB seasons, primarily as a shortstop and second baseman. He was known for his small stature (5'7") and clutch hitting. He won World Series titles with the Anaheim Angels (2002) and St. Louis Cardinals (2006), earning World Series MVP honors with the Cardinals. He was a two-time All-Star and the inaugural winner of the Heart & Hustle Award. After his playing career, he worked as a special assistant for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Did You Know?
- Eckstein led the major leagues with three grand slams in 2002, including back-to-back games against the Toronto Blue Jays.
- He was a two-time All-Star (2005, 2006) with the St. Louis Cardinals, not with the Angels.
- Eckstein was the shortest active player in MLB during his playing career, standing at 5'7".
- He married actress Ashley Drane on November 26, 2005, at his family church in Sanford, Florida.
- Eckstein was a fan of professional wrestling and appeared with TNA Wrestling during the 2006 World Series.
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