Giancarlo Stanton is a name that is synonymous with power and excellence in the world of baseball. A home run machine, this six-foot-six-inch slugger has been smashing baseballs out of major league ballparks for over ten years, and shows no signs of slowing down.
Born on November 8, 1989, in Panorama City, California, Giancarlo Cruz-Michael Stanton was a standout athlete at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. He excelled on both the football and baseball teams, ultimately choosing to focus on baseball and forgoing a full-ride scholarship to play football at USC.
After being selected by the Florida Marlins in the second round of the 2007 MLB draft, Stanton quickly rose through the ranks in the Marlins’ farm system. By 2010, he had made his major league debut, and the baseball world quickly took notice of his raw power and prodigious home run hitting abilities.
Stanton’s true breakout season came in 2012, when he hit 37 home runs with 86 RBI in 123 games, earning himself a spot on the National League All-Star team. The following year, he hit 24 home runs in just 116 games before being hit in the face by a pitch from Milwaukee’s Mike Fiers, ending his season early.
Despite the devastating injury, Stanton bounced back in a big way in 2014, hitting 37 home runs with 105 RBI and leading the league in both categories. He would go on to hit at least 27 home runs in each of the next three seasons, earning four more All-Star selections and becoming one of the most feared hitters in the game.
In 2017, Stanton achieved arguably his greatest individual season, hitting a league-leading 59 home runs and driving in 132 runs en route to winning the National League Most Valuable Player award. His 59 home runs tied him with Hall of Famer Babe Ruth for the ninth-highest single-season total in MLB history, and cemented his place in baseball lore.
After spending eight seasons with the Miami Marlins, including two playoff appearances, Stanton was traded to the New York Yankees prior to the 2018 season in a blockbuster deal. He struggled with injuries and inconsistency during his first season in pinstripes, but still managed to hit 38 home runs and drive in 100 runs while playing in just 158 games.
Now entering his fourth season with the Yankees, Stanton is looking to build off a strong 2020 campaign in which he hit .250 with four home runs and 11 RBI in just 23 games. As the team’s primary designated hitter, he’ll have ample opportunity to showcase his offensive prowess and lead the Yankees back to the postseason.
Despite his accomplishments on the field, Stanton is also known for his philanthropy and charitable work off the field. He established the Giancarlo Stanton Foundation in 2011, which supports youth sports programs and provides scholarships for underprivileged children. He also donates a portion of his salary to a variety of charitable causes, including hurricane relief efforts and cancer research.
In conclusion, Giancarlo Stanton is a truly special player in the game of baseball. With his prodigious power, dynamic skill set, and humble demeanor, he is a true role model both on and off the field. Whether he’s launching towering home runs over the outfield walls or giving back to his community, Stanton is a true legend in the making, and is sure to continue his ascent to baseball greatness for years to come.