# Joey Butler

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{{short description|American baseball player (born 1986)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox baseball biography
|name         = Joey Butler
|image        = Joeybutler20145.jpg
|caption      = Butler with the St. Louis Cardinals in 2014
|position     = [Designated hitter](/source/Designated_hitter) / [Left fielder](/source/Left_fielder)
|birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1986|3|12}}
|birth_place  = [Pascagoula, Mississippi](/source/Pascagoula%2C_Mississippi), U.S.
|bats         = Right
|throws       = Right
|debutleague  = MLB
|debutdate    = August 7
|debutyear    = 2013
|debutteam    = Texas Rangers
|debut2league = NPB
|debut2date   = July 1
|debut2year   = 2014
|debut2team   = Orix Buffaloes
|finalleague  = MLB
|finaldate    = October 4
|finalyear    = 2015
|finalteam    = Tampa Bay Rays
|final2league = NPB
|final2date   = August 13
|final2year   = 2014
|final2team   = Orix Buffaloes
|statleague   = MLB
|stat1label   = [Batting average](/source/Batting_average_(baseball))
|stat1value   = .274
|stat2label   = [Hits](/source/Hit_(baseball))
|stat2value   = 75
|stat3label   = [Home run](/source/Home_run)s
|stat3value   = 8
|stat4label   = [Runs batted in](/source/Run_batted_in)
|stat4value   = 31
|stat2league  = NPB
|stat21label  = [Batting average](/source/Batting_average_(baseball))
|stat21value  = .231
|stat22label  = [Hits](/source/Hit_(baseball))
|stat22value  = 12
|stat23label  = [Home run](/source/Home_run)s
|stat23value  = 2
|stat24label  = [Runs batted in](/source/Run_batted_in)
|stat24value  = 6
|teams        =
* [Texas Rangers](/source/Texas_Rangers_(baseball)) ({{mlby|2013}})
* [St. Louis Cardinals](/source/St._Louis_Cardinals) ({{mlby|2014}})
* [Orix Buffaloes](/source/Orix_Buffaloes) ({{baseball year|2014}})
* [Tampa Bay Rays](/source/Tampa_Bay_Rays) ({{mlby|2015}})
}}

'''Joseph Frank Butler''' (born March 12, 1986) is an American former professional [baseball](/source/baseball) [designated hitter](/source/designated_hitter) and [left fielder](/source/left_fielder). He played in [Major League Baseball](/source/Major_League_Baseball) (MLB) for the [Texas Rangers](/source/Texas_Rangers_(baseball)), [Tampa Bay Rays](/source/Tampa_Bay_Rays), and [St. Louis Cardinals](/source/St._Louis_Cardinals), and in [Nippon Professional Baseball](/source/Nippon_Professional_Baseball) (NPB) for the [Orix Buffaloes](/source/Orix_Buffaloes).

Butler is the only player since at least 1901 who hit two home runs in his final major league game.<ref>{{cite web |title=Consecutive games with Home Runs >= 2 |url=https://stathead.com/baseball/streak_finder.cgi?request=1&class=player&type=b&playerapp=any&scomp%5B1%5D=gt&sval%5B1%5D=2&sstat%5B1%5D=HR&exactness=anymarked&lastgames=1&location=pob&locationMatch=is |website=Stathead.com}}</ref>

==Background==
Born and raised in [Pascagoula, Mississippi](/source/Pascagoula%2C_Mississippi), Butler attended [Pascagoula High School](/source/Pascagoula_High_School). For the Pascagoula Panthers, Butler played [baseball](/source/baseball), [football](/source/American_football), and [basketball](/source/basketball).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/rays-tales-joey-butlers-long-journey-to-prove-himself/2235337/|title = Rays Tales: Joey Butler's long journey to prove himself}}</ref> A standout athlete, Butler later attended [Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College](/source/Mississippi_Gulf_Coast_Community_College) before transferring to the [University of New Orleans](/source/University_of_New_Orleans). At New Orleans, Butler was teammates with [Johnny Giavotella](/source/Johnny_Giavotella), and the school made back-to-back NCAA tournament appearances.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.nola.com/uno/index.ssf/2013/08/former_uno_star_joey_butler_ge.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130817174328/http://www.nola.com/uno/index.ssf/2013/08/former_uno_star_joey_butler_ge.html| archive-date = 2013-08-17| title = Former UNO star Joey Butler gets the call to the Majors {{!}} NOLA.com}}</ref> In his two seasons at New Orleans, Butler had a batting line of .342/.403/.541 in 119 games.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/6/18/8799753/who-is-rays-rookie-joey-butler|title = Who is Rays rookie Joey Butler|date = 18 June 2015}}</ref>

==Career==
===Texas Rangers===
Butler was selected by the [Texas Rangers](/source/Texas_Rangers_(baseball)) in the 15th round of the [2008 Major League Baseball draft](/source/2008_Major_League_Baseball_draft), as a [right fielder](/source/right_fielder).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/texas-rangers/post/_/id/4905950/cardinals-claim-butler-from-rangers|title=Cardinals claim Butler from Rangers|date=October 3, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013|first=Todd|last=Wills|publisher=ESPNDallas.com}}</ref> Despite hitting exceptionally well in college, scouts were concerned with Butler's defensive abilities.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/6/18/8799753/who-is-rays-rookie-joey-butler|title = Who is Rays rookie Joey Butler|date = 18 June 2015}}</ref> He made his professional debut with the Low-A [Spokane Indians](/source/Spokane_Indians), batting .301/.417/.434 with 4 home runs and 31 RBI in 62 games. In 2009, Butler played for the High-A [Bakersfield Blaze](/source/Bakersfield_Blaze), hitting .280/.343/.416 with 12 home runs and 76 RBI. The following season, he played for the Double-A [Frisco RoughRiders](/source/Frisco_RoughRiders), posting a .277/.340/.409 slash with 10 home runs and 58 RBI in 132 games. For the 2011 season, Butler split the year between Frisco and the Triple-A [Round Rock Express](/source/Round_Rock_Express), hitting a cumulative .313/.388/.483 with a career-high 14 home runs and 61 RBI. Butler returned to Round Rock for the 2012 season, slashing .290/.392/.473 with new career-highs in home runs (20) and RBI (78). He began the 2013 season with Round Rock.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/register/player.fcgi?id=butler001joe|title = Joey Butler Minor, Fall, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History}}</ref>

On August 5, 2013, The Rangers selected Butler to the 40-man roster and called him up to the majors for the first time.<ref>[http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/08/texas-rangers-add-joey-butler-designate-adam-rosales-for-assignment.html/ Texas Rangers add Joey Butler, designate Adam Rosales for assignment]</ref> He made his MLB debut as a pinch hitter for [Leonys Martín](/source/Leonys_Mart%C3%ADn), but lined out against [Los Angeles Angels](/source/Los_Angeles_Angels) pitcher [Nick Maronde](/source/Nick_Maronde) in his only at-bat. Butler was optioned back to the Triple-A [Round Rock Express](/source/Round_Rock_Express) on August 10 to make room for [Alex Ríos](/source/Alex_R%C3%ADos), but was recalled on September 3 when major league rosters expanded. Butler went 4-for-12 in 8 games for Texas before he was [designated for assignment](/source/designated_for_assignment) on September 30.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/09/texas-rangers-to-hit-nelson-cruz-sixth-as-dh-joey-butler-designated-for-assignment.html/ |title=Texas Rangers to hit Nelson Cruz sixth as DH; Joey Butler designated for assignment |date=September 30, 2013 |accessdate=September 30, 2013 |first=Evan |last=Grant |work=Dallas Morning News |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130930204743/http://rangersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/09/texas-rangers-to-hit-nelson-cruz-sixth-as-dh-joey-butler-designated-for-assignment.html/ |archivedate=September 30, 2013 }}</ref>

===St. Louis Cardinals===
On October 3, 2013, Butler was claimed off waivers by the [St. Louis Cardinals](/source/St._Louis_Cardinals).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.espn.com/blog/dallas/texas-rangers/post/_/id/4905950/cardinals-claim-butler-from-rangers|title=Cardinals claim Butler from Rangers|date=October 3, 2013|access-date=October 3, 2013|first=Todd|last=Wills|publisher=ESPNDallas.com}}</ref> On March 27, 2014, Butler was outrighted off of the 40-man roster and assigned to the Triple-A [Memphis Redbirds](/source/Memphis_Redbirds).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/player/joey-butler-542994|title=Joey Butler Stats, Fantasy & News|website=[MLB.com](/source/MLB.com)}}</ref> On May 9, Butler was selected to the active roster. He made his [Cardinals debut](/source/2014_St._Louis_Cardinals_season) on May 10, 2014, after getting called up on May 9. He struck out, pinch-hitting in the seventh inning at [Pittsburgh](/source/2014_Pittsburgh_Pirates_season). He was optioned to Memphis on May 21 after going 0-for-5 in 6 games and was granted his outright release by St. Louis two days later to pursue an opportunity in Japan.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2014/05/orix-buffaloes-purchase-joey-butlers-contract-from-cardinals.html|title = Orix Buffaloes Purchase Joey Butler's Contract from Cardinals| date=23 May 2014 }}</ref>

===Orix Buffaloes===
[[File:IMG 8244 Joey Butler.jpg|250px|thumb|Butler batting for the [Orix Buffaloes](/source/Orix_Buffaloes) in {{Npby|2014}}]]
After he was given his release by the Cardinals, Butler had his contract purchased by the [Orix Buffaloes](/source/Orix_Buffaloes) of the [Nippon Professional Baseball League](/source/Nippon_Professional_Baseball_League) of [Japan](/source/Japan) on May 23, 2014.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20140523&content_id=76510836&notebook_id=76510964&vkey=notebook_stl&c_id=stl |title=Off Cards' 40-man roster, Butler heads to Japan |work=MLB.com |date=May 23, 2014}}</ref> He made his NPB debut on July 1, 2014. In 21 games as a [right fielder](/source/right_fielder) for the Buffaloes, Butler hit .231 with two home runs and six RBIs.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/japan/player.cgi?id=butler001joe|title = Joey Butler Minor, Fall, Winter & Japanese Leagues Statistics & History}}</ref> He became a free agent after the season.

===Tampa Bay Rays===
On January 10, 2015, Butler signed a minor league deal with the [Tampa Bay Rays](/source/Tampa_Bay_Rays) organization. He was assigned to the Triple-A [Durham Bulls](/source/Durham_Bulls) to begin the year before being selected to the major leagues on May 3. He hit his first MLB home run on May 4, a two-run homer off of [Boston Red Sox](/source/Boston_Red_Sox) starter [Clay Buchholz](/source/Clay_Buchholz).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.baseballamerica.com/minors/minor-league-transactions-dec-24-jan-8/|title=Minor League Transactions: Dec. 24-Jan. 8|work=Baseball America|first=Matt|last=Eddy|date=January 11, 2015}}</ref> On July 1, he broke up [Carlos Carrasco](/source/Carlos_Carrasco_(baseball))’s 8 2/3 innings and two-strike long no-hitter with a single.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlb.com/cut4/joey-butler-walks-singles-to-end-perfect-game-and-no-no/c-134154442|title = The bane of Carlos Carrasco's existence: Joey Butler alone breaks up perfect game and no-hitter|website = [MLB.com](/source/MLB.com)| date=2 July 2015 }}</ref> In 88 games for Tampa Bay, Butler slashed .276/.326/.416 with 8 home runs and 30 RBI. On December 3, 2015, Butler was designated for assignment following the team's acquisition of [Hank Conger](/source/Hank_Conger).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2015/12/rays-designate-joey-butler.html|title = Rays Designate Joey Butler| date=3 December 2015 }}</ref>

===Cleveland Indians===
On December 7, 2015, Butler was claimed off waivers by the [Cleveland Indians](/source/Cleveland_Indians). After failing to make the 25-man roster out of spring training, Butler was optioned to the Triple-A [Columbus Clippers](/source/Columbus_Clippers). Butler was designated for assignment on July 31, 2016, to make room on the 40-man roster for [Andrew Miller](/source/Andrew_Miller_(baseball)),<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2016/07/indians-designate-joey-butler-for-assignment.html|title = Indians Designate Joey Butler for Assignment| date=31 July 2016 }}</ref> and was outrighted to Triple-A on August 5. He finished the year with Columbus, hitting .240/.318/.344 with 8 home runs and 42 RBI in 118 games. Butler elected free agency on October 3, 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.milb.com/player/joey-butler-542994|title = Joey Butler Stats, Fantasy & News}}</ref>

===Washington Nationals===
On February 10, 2017, Butler signed a minor league contract with the [Washington Nationals](/source/Washington_Nationals) organization.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2017/02/minor-mlb-transactions-21017.html|title=Minor MLB Transactions: 2/10/17|last=Todd|first=Jeff|work=mlbtraderumors.com|date=February 10, 2017|accessdate=February 11, 2017}}</ref> Butler spent the year with the Triple-A [Syracuse Chiefs](/source/Syracuse_Chiefs), but appeared in just 28 games due to injury and hit only .215/.311/.329 with 2 home runs and 8 RBI. He elected free agency following the season on November 6.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Minor League Free Agents 2017|url=https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/minor-league-free-agents-2017/?amphtml|access-date=March 3, 2024|website=baseballamerica.com|date=November 7, 2017 |language=en}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Butler is married and has two children, a daughter and a son.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tampabay.com/sports/baseball/rays/rays-tales-joey-butlers-long-journey-to-prove-himself/2235337/|title = Rays Tales: Joey Butler's long journey to prove himself}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{baseballstats|mlb=542994|espn=30640|br=b/butlejo04|fangraphs=7799|brm=butler001joe}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Butler, Joey}}
Category:1986 births
Category:Living people
Category:Sportspeople from Pascagoula, Mississippi
Category:Baseball players from Mississippi
Category:African-American baseball players
Category:American expatriate baseball players in Japan
Category:Major League Baseball designated hitters
Category:Major League Baseball left fielders
Category:Texas Rangers players
Category:St. Louis Cardinals players
Category:Orix Buffaloes players
Category:Tampa Bay Rays players
Category:Mississippi Gulf Coast Bulldogs baseball players
Category:New Orleans Privateers baseball players
Category:Spokane Indians players
Category:Bakersfield Blaze players
Category:Frisco RoughRiders players
Category:Round Rock Express players
Category:Memphis Redbirds players
Category:Navegantes del Magallanes players
Category:American expatriate baseball players in Venezuela
Category:Durham Bulls players
Category:Surprise Saguaros players
Category:Venados de Mazatlán players
Category:American expatriate baseball players in Mexico
Category:Columbus Clippers players
Category:Syracuse Chiefs players
Category:21st-century African-American sportsmen
Category:21st-century American sportsmen
Category:20th-century African-American sportsmen
Category:20th-century American sportsmen

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Joey Butler](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Butler) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joey_Butler?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.