Shane Victorino

Lore & Background

Victorino made his MLB debut with the Padres in 2003. He played for the Phillies from 2005 through 2012. With the Phillies, Victorino won three Gold Glove Awards, was named to two MLB All-Star Games, and was a member of the 2008 World Series champions. With the Red Sox, Victorino won his fourth Gold Glove Award and was a member of the 2013 World Series champions. He also won the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award in 2008 and the Branch Rickey Award in 2011.

In Their Own Story

The humidity of a July night at Citizens Bank Park hangs heavy as Shane Victorino takes his lead off first base. The pitcher winds up; Victorino is already in motion, exploding toward second with a ferocity that silences the crowd for a split second before erupting into cheers. He slides head-first, beating the throw by a fraction of an inch, and immediately pops to his feet, pointing at the umpire's call with a grin. It is not just about the base; it is the declaration of war on every inning, a reminder that as long as 'The Green Monster' is in center field, no ball will be safe.

Reader's Guide

Victorino was born on November 30, 1980, in Wailuku, Hawaii. He is the youngest son born to Mike, Sr. and Joycelyn Victorino. When Victorino was very young he was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. He played baseball, soccer, basketball and football in his youth and ran track. As a senior at St. Anthony High School in Wailuku, he won state championships in the 100, 200 and 400 meters. His 100-meter time set a state record. On the football field, he was a placekicker and slotback for head coach Charlie Ane. Victorino signed a letter of intent to play college baseball for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors prior to the 1999 MLB draft. After he was selected by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the sixth round, June Jones also offered Victorino a scholarship to play for the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors football team. He signed instead with the Dodgers on June 8, 1999.

Did You Know?

• Victorino was selected in the 2002 Rule 5 draft by the San Diego Padres and made his MLB debut on April 2, 2003.
• He hit his first MLB home run on September 22, 2005, off Tim Hudson of the Atlanta Braves.
• In the 2008 NLDS Game 2, Victorino hit a grand slam off CC Sabathia, the Phillies' first postseason grand slam.
• Victorino won the All-Star Game Final Vote in 2009 with a record-breaking 15.6 million votes.
• He hit a go-ahead grand slam in Game 6 of the 2013 ALCS, sending the Red Sox to the World Series.