AA St. Paul Saints

Ex-Saint J.D. Drew signs with Boston

Published on December 6, 2006 under American Association (AA)
St. Paul Saints News Release


ST. PAUL, MN -- Former St. Paul Saints OF J.D. Drew is headed to the American League for the first time in his career. Drew, who started his pro career in St. Paul in 1997, signed a five-year $70 million deal with the Sox yesterday. It is subject to his passing a physical.

He joins the Sox after one of the best seasons of his career for the Dodgers. Drew, who batted .283, set career highs for RBI (100), Doubles (34) and Games Played (146) while helping Los Angeles to a Wild Card playoff spot.

The 31-year Georgia native is on pace to become the second independent league grad ever (Baltimore Orioles 1B Kevin Millar, who played here in 1993, was the first) to play 1000 career games in the major leagues. He first made it to the major leagues at the end of the 1998 season with St. Louis. Since then, he has played 960 games with the Cardinals, Braves and Dodgers, posting a career .286 batting average (905-for-3161). He has 160 doubles, 162 home runs and 509 RBI in that period.

Originally drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies, Drew signed with the Saints instead in June, 1997. He hit .341 in 44 games, slamming 18 home runs and driving in 50 runs. He returned to the team for the start of the 1998 season, hitting .386 in 30 games (11 2B, 9 HR, 33 RBI) before being drafted and signed by the Cardinals.

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