Gabe Kapler

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Gabriel Stefan ("Gabe") Kapler (born August 31, 1975 to a Jewish family in Hollywood, California) is a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball. He used to be a body builder and was on the cover of several magazines. From 1998-2004, Kapler has played with the Detroit Tigers (1998-99), Texas Rangers (2000-02), Colorado Rockies (2003) and Boston Red Sox (2003-04, 2005). He bats and throws right handed.

In seven major league seasons, Kapler has posted a .272 batting average with 61 home runs and 281 RBI in 742 games.

Much of Kapler's value comes with his glove. He can do a fine job in all three outfield positions, combining with good range and a strong arm. Kapler is not an automatic out at the plate. An aggressive swinger who doesn't walk much, his swing is long and slow with occasional power. He is as aggressive on the bases as he is at the plate and will not hesitate to try for the extra base. Kapler played a career-high 136 games in 2004, hitting six home runs and driving in 33 runs in 290 at-bats.

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2005

Kapler, an intense competitor, departed the Boston Red Sox for Japan's Yomiuri Giants less than a month after the 2004 World Series clinching victory over the Cardinals. Nevertheless, he struggled mightily in Japan and was placed on the inactive list by Yomiuri in the 2005 midseason. Kapler was waived in July and signed by the Red Sox just a few hours after clearing Japanese Central League waivers. In his first at-bat for Boston in 2005, Kapler roped a single up the middle.

Unfortunately, in mid-September, Gabe Kapler ruptured his Achilles tendon while running the bases on what turned out to be a home run by teammate Tony Graffanino. This ended Kapler's season and left a large space empty on the Boston bench. Kapler was usually the go-to guy in the outfield in case of an injury. Kapler, who hits lefties very well, usually would play instead of Trot Nixon in right field when lefties were slotted in as the opposing pitcher. The Boston Red Sox hope to have re-signed Gabe Kapler to a minor league contract. He is expected to rehab for a few months, and hopefully by May or June, will be ready to re-join the team.

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