Michael Bourn
Michael Ray Bourn (born December 27, 1982) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) center fielder who played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Baltimore Orioles between 2006 and 2016.[1] He also played internationally for the United States national baseball team.
Not to be confused with Michael Bourne.Michael Bourn
.266
36
361
341
Bourn was raised in Houston, Texas, where he attended Nimitz High School and the University of Houston, playing baseball. He was named to the NL All-Star team in both 2010 and 2012 and won consecutive Gold Glove Awards in 2009 and 2010. Bourn also led MLB in stolen bases in 2011, and led the National League in stolen bases from 2009 to 2011. He was as of 2018 in 119th place on the all-time Major League Baseball stolen base list, with 341.
Amateur career[edit]
Michael Ray Bourn was born in Houston, Texas on December 27, 1982, the first of two sons to parents Carrie and Raymond. As a child, Michael played three sports, baseball, basketball and football.[2] His Little League team was coached by his father. Teammates included Carl Crawford. At the age of 10, his father had him facing 85-mile-per-hour (137 km/h) pitching in a batting cage.[3]
Bourn attended Nimitz High School in Houston. He was drafted by the Houston Astros in the 19th round of the 2000 Major League Baseball draft out of high school but declined to sign. He planned to continue his baseball career at Galveston College until Todd Whitting, then an assistant coach for the Houston Cougars baseball team, saw him playing AAU baseball and decided to offer him a scholarship.[4]
He played college baseball with the Cougars for three seasons. While he displayed little power, collecting only two home runs and 23 extra-base hits in 644 at-bats, he won attention from professional scouts by posting a .431 on-base percentage and stealing 90 bases in 119 attempts.[5] In 2002, he played collegiate summer baseball in the Cape Cod Baseball League for the Yarmouth-Dennis Red Sox.[6][7]
He was named to the All-Tournament Team at the 2002 Conference USA baseball tournament, in which Houston was the runner-up.[8]
Professional career[edit]
Philadelphia Phillies[edit]
In June 2003, following his junior year, the Philadelphia Phillies drafted Bourn in the fourth round, with the 115th overall selection of baseball's first-year player draft. Bourn signed shortly after the draft, and was assigned to play for the Batavia Muckdogs of the Class A-Short Season New York–Penn League.
Broadcasting career[edit]
In 2022, Bourn served as a color commentator for the Philadelphia Phillies Radio Network. During a game between the Philadelphia Phillies and the San Diego Padres, Phillies star Bryce Harper was hit by a pitch in the hand, which broke his thumb. Bourn, who was commentating during the game, responded by saying "oooh shit!" Bourn later apologized for the expletive stating "excuse my language, I think a word might have slipped out there."[48] While seen as a raw talent, Bourn was praised for his excitement and passion while in the booth. In 2023, it was announced that Bourn would not return to the broadcasting booth.[49]
Personal life[edit]
Bourn's first son, Bryson, was born in 2009.[50] Bourn has two daughters Blair and Bailey, the latter of whom was born in 2018. His wife, Nikita, owns a babysitting business and he owns three apartment complexes in Houston.[4] Bourn is a member of the Churches of Christ.[51]